A life & death situation
You must change your mindset to survive future storms

By JOSEPH A. GERBER
Special to The Enterprise

While it can be easily argued that hurricanes have always been a fact of life along the Southern and Southeastern coasts of the United States, there is nearly universal agreement that we are entering a new and more dangerous pattern of storms. Whether we choose to look back at the recent experiences of the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, or, alternatively, look forward at projections of future weather patterns, there is unanimity that we are headed into an extended period, i.e. decades of more storms per season and more severe storms.

What lessons have been learned from the four major storms of 2004 and the catastrophic storms of 2005?

Let me suggest that 2005, and particularly Hurricane Katrina, taught us that when it comes to a severe hurricane, we better not put all of our faith and trust into the responses of our local, state or federal governments. Sadly, we learned the hard lessons that government responses can be slow, ineffective or, in some cases, non-existent.

Next, we should have learned that the risks are far greater than property damage and dislocation. Well into calendar year 2006, bodies are still being retrieved from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina which struck in late August, 2005. The stakes are, indeed, life and death.

Thirdly, those who do not evacuate - and evacuate early - might miss their chance, entirely.

Predictions as to weather patterns, hurricane intensities and paths are becoming increasingly more accurate. Yet, with all of these changes - more storms; more severe storms; ineffective government responses; and, better weather forecasting, I fear that going forward, many will persist in the foolhardy notion that "we can ride this one out."

We need to change our mindset. We are predisposed not to evacuate. We also fear the embarrassment, cost and expense of relocating, should dire forecasts be off base and the catastrophic storm either not materialize or, alternatively, follow a course other than that which was predicted.

But, if we are bound to make what are seen as mistakes - always with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight - shouldn't we choose safety and unnecessary evacuations over a potentially fatal choice to stay behind?

We must be prepared to evacuate early.

Of course, if you intend to evacuate, you will need to give careful consideration, in advance, of how to best prepare the property you are about to leave.

• Do you have a plan in place for fully protecting the property, whether through the use of shutters for windows, doors and any other openings?

• What precautions should you take in terms of disconnecting or shutting off any utilities?

• Should you consider relocating any items on the lower floors of your home to higher locations if flooding is a potential danger to your property?

• What items located outside of your home should be moved either indoors or otherwise secured including outdoor furniture, barbeque grills, playground equipment, and so forth?

• If you are leaving one or more vehicles behind, how and where will you store them to minimize any potential damage?

The hurricane season spans from June 1 through Nov. 30, with the most active time for Atlantic hurricanes in August and September. Through that entire period of time, you should remain attentive to weather forecasts that include either words "hurricane watch" or "hurricane warning."

A hurricane watch is posted when hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.

The 2005 hurricane season proved to be the worst in 154 years. Only time will tell whether we are intelligent enough to apply the lessons learned from that recent history.

What your disaster-planning process should include:

• Keeping in mind the myriad challenges encountered at local shelters in New Orleans, plan to move out of the path of the hurricane. Do you have family or friends with whom you can stay in case of an emergency? Will you travel in your own vehicle or will you rely upon public transportation?

• Can the entire family travel with you or is that not feasible? Think of the elderly, the infirm, and do not forget to consider what you will do with family pets. Can the dog, cat, hamsters and fish make the trip? Or, will you need an alternate hurricane preparedness plan for them?

• Share your plan with non-local friends and family along with telephone numbers where you can be reached — either at your evacuation destination or through cell phones, Web sites, BlackBerries or instant messaging.

• Keep your employer informed of your plans and whereabouts. If the main location of your employer is somewhere other than in the path of the storm, perhaps you can telecommute from your relocated residence.

• Assemble an evacuation kit. Specific contents will depend upon how far you will be traveling. Keep in mind that the more advanced your travel in front of the storm, the fewer “survival” supplies you will need. For those who plan well in advance and leave well ahead of a storm’s arrival, basic supplies, as detailed by the Red Cross.

Joseph Gerber is the co-chairman of the Crisis Management Practice Group at Cozen O'Connor, a Philadelphia law firm. He is chairman of the Insurance Society of Philadelphia; a trustee of The Chubb Foundation; executive secretary of the National Forum for Property Loss Professionals; and a trustee of the Jewish Family and Children's Agency, where he serves as chair of its Human Resources Committee.