In addition to the extreme heat and humidity faced by Union and Mississippi residents during the summer, hurricanes also pose a significant danger during the summer months. While most hurricanes generally do not strike Union as dangerous storms, they still can sometimes cause damage in the area. For example, Hurricane Katrina struck Union several years ago, causing long-term power outages and significant storm damage. Moreover, many Union residents may have family members who live in coastal areas; therefore, all Union residents need to know the basics of hurricane preparedness.
When major hurricanes strike coastal areas, they typically cause damage in a variety of ways, and these can all prove deadly for the people who live in the hurricane’s area of effect. Major hurricanes cause storm surges, heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds. When a storm surge occurs, the water from the ocean accompanies the hurricane onto the shore in an extremely abnormal rise in water levels. The measurement of the storm surge indicates the height of the water, which means that a twenty-foot storm surge is twenty feet deep at sea level. As such, this causes extreme flooding, and heavy rain can only worsen any flooding caused by a storm surge. When coupled with extremely strong winds, this causes a large amount of damage at various levels. Therefore, for people living in coastal areas, they should evacuate if their local governments issue at evacuation order. All Union residents should stress this to any family in coastal areas. When evacuating, people should take essential items—a few days’ supply of food, a few days’ supply of water, and other essentials. Furthermore, anyone who evacuates should always take their pets; animals left alone may not survive a major hurricane (not to mention, this would likely cause them great trauma as well), and Union residents should remind their family members to take their pets when evacuating. This information could go a long way in preventing potential injuries or deaths from hurricanes this summer, and Union residents should urge their families in coastal areas to take heed of hurricane safety.
Regarding Union and the surrounding areas, most hurricanes will have weakened to the point where the remaining weather events pose no threat; however, some extremely strong hurricanes can damage the area as well, and basic preparation will go a long way toward ensuring safety if this happens. A major hurricane will likely bring strong winds to the area that would cause many power outages. Like in the ice storm, power could remain out for over a week; therefore, if a major hurricane is predicted to strike Union and the surrounding areas, people should have at least a week’s worth of nonperishable food on hand. Union residents should also have some way to obtain clean drinking water. Moreover, a generator can help to keep refrigerators and freezers on (but make sure to have an ample supply of gas), and Union residents can use a grill (or gas stove) to cook food. Furthermore, as a general rule, one should always prepare before the event actually happens; if one waits until the hurricane has already struck, he or she will likely have a much harder time. While these tips constitute only the basics, they will help to prepare for a major hurricane if one hits the Union area.
The prospect of preparing for any natural disaster can seem frightening and arduous; however, the basics can put Union residents on the right path and potentially save lives. Hurricanes serve as a part of living in the central and south areas of Mississippi, so residents must prepare for them and look out for their relatives who live further south. Union residents should urge their families to prepare or evacuate (and remind them to take their pets!), and Union residents should prepare themselves. Preparedness will only benefit everyone involved.
Send your Union community news to Matt Hennington at mch.2000@hotmail.com.
