HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS ADVICE FOR CITIZENS, FARMERS, PET OWNERS, PESTICIDE APPLICATORS AND OTHERS
Submitted by: VDACS
Phone:
Date Added: 8/21/2009
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is off to a slow start this year, and on August 6, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cut its 2009 forecast. It now predicts seven to 11 storms, with three to six becoming hurricanes. As I write this, however, Bill is gaining strength and could affect the East Coast by the weekend of August 22.
Like you, I hope for a light hurricane season this year. No hurricanes would be even better. But my experience at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) tells me we still need to prepare. Most of the damage Virginia has suffered in recent years has been from tropical storms, not actual hurricanes, so I want to remind our farmers and citizens what they should do now to prepare their families, property and animals for hurricane emergencies.
First, let me address the farmers. You need to make preparations for your families, livestock, equipment and buildings, and to have back-up plans for electricity for poultry houses, dairies and other critical farm facilities. Farmers need to make all the necessary arrangements that non-farmers make - gathering portable radios, extra batteries, flashlights and candles, and stocking up on food and water. But in addition, you need to take other precautions to protect yourselves and your operations.
Farmers who do not currently own generators might want to contact local farm suppliers and rental companies to reserve a generator in the event of power outages, remembering that you must have a properly-installed transfer switch in order to use a generator safely. Other general emergency farm measures include:
* Monitoring local weather reports for up-to-the-minute information on the storm
* Charging batteries on cell phones and pagers and determining check-in points for family members and workers.
* Storing or securing items or equipment that may blow away or blow into structures. This includes lawn furniture and ornaments.
* Checking generators to be sure they are in good working order and purchasing sufficient amounts of fuel to operate them.
* Checking feed inventory and ordering extra if needed.
* Moving poultry and livestock to higher ground if possible and sheltering them in securely battened barns, houses or tightly-fenced areas.
* Turning off the propane supply at tanks and securing tanks in the event of flooding to prevent them from floating away.
* Moving equipment to the highest, open ground possible away from trees or buildings.
* Pumping and storing adequate supplies of drinking water for humans and animals in the case of power outages. VDACS recommends a minimum 36-hour reserve.
* Topping off all gas, propane and other fuel tanks, including the family vehicles.
* Marking animals with an identifier so they can be returned to you if lost. This can include ear tags with name of farm and/or phone numbers, brands, paint markings on hooves or coat, or clipped initials in the hair.
* Moving feed to higher ground or to a more accessible place in case of flooding or transportation problems.
* Checking the security of roofing materials, siding, and windows and doors in barns and poultry houses to make sure they will not blow off or blow open in strong winds.
* Coordinating with neighbors beforehand to discuss what resources can be shared in the event of power outages or flooding.
* Making a list of important phone numbers in order to make calls following a storm. Potential numbers to include are the local emergency management office, county extension agent, insurance agent, county Farm Service Agency and private veterinarian. For local emergency offices, contact the Virginia Department of Emergency Management ahead of time, or log on to http://www.vaemergency.com/.
I also want to remind pesticide applicators, particularly in Eastern Virginia, to secure their pesticide storage areas. Applicators in low-lying areas should attempt to elevate or move pesticides to locations that are less likely to flood. Pest control companies should postpone termiticide pre-treatments for slab structures if torrential rains are predicted in their areas. Termiticides need time to bond with the soil before getting wet.
Now, some suggestions for citizens. Hopefully you now have an emergency kit with flashlights and batteries, drinking water for humans and pets, medications, emergency numbers, first aid kit, dust masks and a supply of food to last 3 or 4 days. You have made a plan and communicated with family members and neighbors what you will do and where you will go in the event of an emergency. You know to listen to your local media for instructions. If you haven’t made these three steps part of your hurricane preparedness, please go to Ready Virginia (http://www.readyvirginia.gov/) immediately to review these important reminders.
But have you thought about what to do with your pets if you have to evacuate?
You need to prepare a Pet Emergency Kit ahead of time. The kit should include a few days worth of medication, your pet’s medical and vaccination records, a leash, collar, identification, water, food, toys, a picture of you and your pet and bedding. Make sure that your animals have some form of permanent identification such as a microchip, brand or tattoo. Purchase a pet carrier and label it with emergency contact information. Store water and pet food for emergencies. Create a contingency plan for animals including horses and livestock that addresses transportation, water and feed resources and areas for confinement if needed. You’ll find more information at http://www.vvma.org/sart.htm.
For the first time, Virginia is able to open state-run pet shelters in the event of an evacuation. If you and your family have to go to a shelter, you need to go first to the pet shelter and then proceed to the shelter for people. The media and the state Department of Emergency Management will announce the location of pet shelters after evacuation orders are given. To learn more about pet sheltering, go to our Web site at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/petshelter.shtml.
I want you to know that at VDACS we make plans and practice them during exercise drills so we are prepared to respond quickly and appropriately in the event of such occurrences. But before an emergency occurs, I want to give all citizens the information they need to prepare for emergencies and to protect themselves, their property and their animals from harm.
By Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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