Evacuation is a Choice That Modern Technology Provides
Do you know where to find up to date information about hurricane preparation, watches, warnings, evacuations, survival and relief? This hub will list some reliable websites, mobile apps, Facebook and Twitter sites. It will also contain some of my personal experience related to my evacuation from Southern Delaware during Hurricane Irene.
How Technology is Being Used Before, During & After Hurricanes
Advanced technology is used by the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service and other organizations to understand hurricanes and their impacts and there are websites and apps that can provide much valuable information before, during and after Hurricanes. Keep in mind, however, that hurricanes can disable technology by cutting off electricity, or by adding millions of users who overwhelm our phone systems and websites, so if the information you look up is something like a checklist print a hard copy in advance. Also, receiving information in text format puts less demand on the phone systems.
During Hurricane Irene, governments along the East Coast issued warnings and implemented preparation, evacuation and recovery plans. Information was being sent via a wide variety of channels, including new mobile web sources.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a checklist titled, "Are You Ready?" The checklist offers emergency planning including information for those with disabilities and other functional needs such as impaired hearing, sight and mobility problems.
In addition to the above, FEMA has a new mobile web app http://m.fema.gov/that contains information on what to do before, during and after hurricanes. They built the application to work even when there is no mobile service so people can access the information they need anytime on their device. The site should work on most android phones, smart-phones and feature phones and it also provides direct links to FEMA's Twitter account and Facebook page.
During Hurricane Irene, Fox News Business also offered apps and websites to help brace for the storm and they listed organizations to add to your Twitter feed, including FEMA (listed above), NOAA http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and the Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/.
For those who like to use Facebook, the Global Disaster Relief page of Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DisasterReliefhas updates from FEMA, NOAA and other 4-letter-acronymed organizations.
Why I Chose to Evacuate During Hurricane Irene
The effects of Hurricane Irene are still being felt by many communities, some of which have been devastated by her wrath, yet even before she struck the eastern seaboard in N. Carolina, dire predictions heralded her arrival. My husband and I live in southern Delaware, about 4 miles from the Delaware Bay and 20 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Irene was expected to make land fall as a Category I or tropical storm. The potential for severe flooding, wind damage and "spin-off" tornadoes was high enough for our Governor, Jack Markell, to start ordering mandatory evacuations for all tourists in our beach towns and all residents living within 3/4 of a mile of the ocean, bay or rivers.
Technically, I was not in a flood zone, but instinct, logic and previous experience told me to leave. Having lived through several floods, some of which were hurricane induced in our previous home in New York State, I wanted no part of being caught in a raging storm zone. My Delaware town has a river running through it and though that river was a few miles from my house I knew it could jam traffic and block the way out of town.
Hubby's instincts said everything would be okay and he was inclined to stay, but out of respect for my wishes he agreed to take what we chose to call, "a road trip", a spur of the moment "mini-vacation" that would also ensure our safety. We are blessed in that we had the means to leave- a vehicle, enough cash for a few days in a motel room and for traveling expenses, and since we are both retired neither of us had work responsibilities keeping us at home (something that was not the case when we still lived in NY).
Almost Heaven, West VA, Blue Ridge Mtns.....
Choosing Our Evacuation Route
I logged onto the NOAA website and quickly researched the projected path of Hurricane Irene, then made the decision to evacuate to Hagerstown, Maryland, which was just outside of Irene's projected path. I checked the current driving conditions across the Bay Bridge before we left and made a print-out of hotels in Hagerstown. While en-route, I used our cell phone to make reservations at Hagerstown Microtel. We hit some heavy traffic toward the end of our trip but amused ourselves by singing along to the tunes on a John Denver CD. As luck would have it, we were at the top of a mountain ridge in stopped traffic just as the sun was setting and had a breathtaking view of the blue ridge mountains that John Denver was singing about in "Country Roads". For the first time since leaving home, I could feel a wonderful calm spread through my body. We were safe and I felt so grateful that modern technology had given us advance warning and also the means to create an effective evacuation plan.
Hagerstown, Maryland, Augustoberfest
Hagerstown Augustoberfest
German Style Music
Hagerstown Visitors Center
Choosing to Have Fun During Our Evacuation
For the next two days I used our laptop to plan activities and also to remain updated on Hurricane Irene's effects on Delaware and the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland.
We explored the historic section of Hagerstown, MD and attended a German festival called, Augustoberfest. The authentic German bands were lively and encouraged sing-a-longs and there were also many other "evacuees" in town who had come over from Ocean City, MD in buses.
We also toured the Hagerstown City Park which had a beautiful lake-side walking path and is also home to the Western MD 202 Locomotive Display & Museum and the Historic Hager House and Museum. The day passed quickly and my mind, for the most part, was focused on enjoying the festival and city park.
Later that night I heard reports that Irene was ripping through southern DE as a category I and tornadoes had struck Lewes, DE and my hometown of Milford was under tornado warnings. It was sobering, but I was so grateful that we had evacuated to a place of safety. I would have been a nervous wreck riding out the storm. By the following day, Irene had moved further up the coast to NJ and NY. Winds were still heavy and the Bay Bridge was closed so we had to wait another day before we could return home. We explored the small town of Boonsboro, MD where author Nora Roberts has a bookstore and found a park to picnic and read in.
Rehoboth Beach After Irene: Open for Business
Returning Home to Southern Delaware
Although parts of Milford that were along the Mispillion River had flooded, my development did not have any damage from Irene. My husband could easily have said, "See, I told you there was no need to evacuate," but he didn't. We were lucky that for the most part, the Delaware Beaches and southern Delaware were spared severe damage from Irene. A drive to the area where the tornadoes struck in Lewes was sobering, but the historic section of Lewes and Lewes Beach did not have any visible damage.
We also drove to Rehoboth Beach to reassure ourselves that the boardwalk was intact and all the shops were open. To my knowledge, all Delaware Beaches are open and ready for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, though I suspect many who originally planned to come but are still suffering from the effects of Irene will be unable to visit.
Summary: Evacuation is a Choice
In summary, evacuation is a choice and modern technology can help determine the best path for evacuation, can aid in finding lodging and in finding activities to do while waiting to return home after a storm. It can also provide detailed information on securing your property before a hurricane hits and as to when it is safe to return home.
Those who are familiar with my other hubs will not be surprised by my frequent use of the word "choice." When we make a conscious choice to do something we feel empowered versus helpless and we find that even under difficult circumstances we can choose what our response will be to an impending crisis.
Facing the possibility of a deadly hurricane is frightening and can leave one feeling helpless at a time when action is needed. If you are faced with hurricane watches, warnings and possible evacuations choose to educate yourself and your family about your options, about the projected forecasts and how to keep your property and those you love protected as much as possible. Not everyone can or should evacuate, but if you have the means and ability to do so it can be an effective option. Those living in mandatory evacuation zones can also take advantage of shelters and public plans to transport them to safety. Don't be embarrassed or shy about reaching out for assistance.
Also, those who are leaving can check on elderly neighbors and offer to bring them with them as hubber b.Malin did when she evacuated her home at the New Jersey shore. You can read about her experience in "Hurricane Irene...b Malin" http://b-malin.hubpages.com/hub/HURRICANE-IRENEb-Malin.
Have you ever evacuated due to a Hurricane?
Comments
AUTHORHi Denise,
Thanks for the vote up. As you know from the comment I left on your Hurricane Irene hub, I've had a previous history of living through floods and I'd rather not relive any part of it if I don't absolutely have to. Hope you're able to at least stay off the road next time a hurricane is traveling through your area. I was so scared just reading what you went through and thank God you made it through okay.
Hugs across the miles,
Gail
Wow-do I wish I would have read this earlier, Hahaha. Actually, voted up for the important tips you have here. I'm glad you had a fun time during the evacuation-obviously, your experience was much different from mine!
Love the John Denver song and I can only imagine how beautiful things were in that area. Looks like it was a lot of fun!
- AUTHOR
Hi Lyricwriter,
I just finished reading your anger hub and laughing my head off at some of the pictures! Then I saw the comment you left on this hub and I realized that in a sense we were both saying similar things- when in tough situations, step back, try to calm down and if possible use humor, or in my case fun, to defuse the tension that you feel.
Thanks for taking time to leave such a nice comment. Yes, the weather has been unusual in our region this year. My philosophy is better safe than sorry. If something powerful is headed my way and I have enough warning to get myself to safety I'm securing the house and heading for dry land.
Great hub and what a story. Glad you left as well. I only remember one hurricane effecting me and it was only rain. I live in W. Virginia. I did feel the earthquake. It sure has been strange weather. I know Delaware and Maryland is close to D.C. We are fortunate to have this technology to track these storms. I could only imagine those poor people back in the days. Voted up and have a good one! PS- I don't blame you for having fun while you were gone:)
- AUTHOR
Thanks Peggy,
I appreciate your compassionate comment.
Agreed. I have a good friend whose house was flooded not by a hurricane, but a plumbing problem. She lost so much and the floors and some sheetrock had to be replaced. It is an emotional hit as you said and a lot of work to get things back to as near as normal as possible.
- AUTHOR
Hi Peggy,
Thanks so much for sharing your flood story. Your point about the sewers is an important one. Maintaining sewers CAN prevent many, but not all sewage failures. If the water gets high and powerful enough sewage can still back up into the flood waters.
It must have been really tough on your parents without having insurance and it's amazing how many photos and sentimental items you do still have (thank goodness as they're truly irreplaceable.)
I know how much we were blessed by the fact that Hurricane Irene did not damage our home or community as our previous home had been flooded several times in the past and even with insurance one takes a financial and emotional hit, plus the "work" of clean-up is very physical.
When I was still living at home with my family in McAllen, Texas...Hurricane Beulah hit and we did evacuate. When we returned there were three houses on the street that had about 3 feet of water in them and one was ours. Sadly it was due to a backed up sewer system! Had we stayed much of our furniture and furnishings could have been saved by moving things higher, etc. although it would have been miserable to live through. It was certainly miserable to deal with the after effects and we lost so much that is irreplaceable (like photos). 23 garbage cans of our belongings were tossed out! Furniture damaged and the house was damaged. Wooden floors buckled, etc.
It certainly hit my parents financially as there was no flood insurance back then...and since we were not in a flood zone and far inland, they probably would not have taken it out even if it had been available.
To this day when I see people putting things like lawn clippings and other trash into sewer systems it makes me sad. They do not realize that they need to be kept clean and what not doing so can cause.
In Houston we live far enough from the Gulf (about 70 miles on our west end of town) that I doubt that we would need to evacuate...however, the power outages that almost always come can make staying quite miserable especially with hot temperatures.
You have written an excellent hub with great information and links. So glad that you had a fun mini-vacation out of your decision to leave and that all was OK at your home when you returned.
"Better to be safe rather than sorry!"
- AUTHOR
Hi Barbara,
Yeah, I was really glad he took me on the road trip and that we were also able to return to a home without damage.
that was scary wasn't it? I am glad your hubby took you for a road trip :) you were both able to enjoy the trip and each other and happily didn't have storm damage to come back to!! very well written hub !!
Hi again, and thanks for that last paragraph! The feeling is mutual, I feel really pleased when I open up my e-mails in the morning and there is a message from HP with your name on it - I always know there will be something thought provoking to read!
- AUTHOR
Hi Melovy,
Thanks for sharing your cyclone vacation evacuation story. I love how you were able to shift your state of mind from being a little miffed at the need to evacuate on your birthday, to enjoying the simple pleasures of a sharing a wonderful meal with your husband with a serene river view.
It is heartening that most people do look out for and help each other after catastrophic damage.
Thanks for leaving such an sightful comment. I appreciate and always look forward to reading your feedback.
Hi Happyboomernurse,
i’m glad to hear you weren’t too affected by the storm and that you had a good vacation! We’ve got winds that are apparently the tail-end of it in Scotland now, but it’s pretty mild. Where I grew up winds can cause a lot of damage so I can imagine it must be hard for the people who were caught in it.
Last year my family and I were on holiday in Australia and a cyclone (Southern hemisphere's hurricane) off the coast of Northern Queensland was headed right to where we were. We had been planning to go on to Brisbane in a couple of days and didn’t want to get stuck. My husband spent a morning on the phone to the airline, and we then drove 4 hours to the nearest airport with enough seats. It was my birthday, and I was a little miffed to begin with, but then decided just to make the best of it. We stopped off for a meal at an arts center (after my husband took a wrong turning) and it was by a beautiful river filled with gorgeous little turtles. That totally made my day.
The cyclone did hit the town we’d been in the next day and all flights were cancelled for several days, so we were glad we’d got out when we did. We read reports of it later, and it was sad to see the damage to beaches, but also heartening to read reports of communities getting together to clean up. I think in most crises of this kind there is that coming together to support each other.
- AUTHOR
Hi Bobbi,
Great to see you here! Thanks for your comment and I agree that Fred and I are a lot like you and Steve. We always try to make the most of whatever situation we're in and spending quality time together is a top priority.
Glad you enjoyed the hub.
Technology is great for many things, and saving lives is a good use of it. You sound like Steve and I, if we Must do something, let's make it fun and enjoy it anyway. Great hub about being safe.
- AUTHOR
Hi Moneycop. I'm going to have to visit your profile to see if it says how you chose your interesting hubber name.
Yes, Nature needs to be respected and can bring us the best and worst of times.
I'm also of the belief that we always have a choice in how we respond to the situations we find ourselves in and whenever possible try to make the best of otherwise tense situations. Life is so much easier that way.
Thanks for taking time to leave a comment.
happyboomernurse...i am die hard fan of nature...always it teaches me in pain or in sorrows...
this was a great effort in making it clear about every small step of fun and facility regarding evacuation
- AUTHOR
Hi Vocalcoach,
Sounds like you've had experience in all kinds of extreme weather. I totally agree that no matter where we live, we can't escape mother nature's fury in one form or another so it's always best to be aware of our options and have advance plans of what we'll do in an emergency.
Thanks so much for taking time to leave an insightful comment and for your ongoing support. It's greatly appreciated.
While living in Hawaii, we had hurricanes. And living most of my life in California, of course we had earthquakes. And now, here in Tennessee, the tornadoes are rampant. Looks like we can't escape mother natures fury.
So preparation is so very crucial. This is a remarkably good hub. I am so glad that you and your sweetie are ok and I love the way you enjoyed some fun during evacuation. God bless you. Rated up!
- AUTHOR
Hi Prasetio,
Thanks so much for your kind, supportive words and blessings. They're greatly appreciated.
Nice information from you. You open my eyes about what happened in US. I live far away from America. But my heart is so sad every time I heard a hurricane. I hope the people always strong and patient. God bless you all!
Prasetio
- AUTHOR
Hi b. Malin,
Thanks for the kind words about this hub. Am so glad that the Jersey Shore was also spared, although so many of the inland areas of Jersey were hit terribly hard. I grew up in Paterson, NJ and also lived in the suburbs surrounding Paterson as a child and teenager so it was sad to see the devastation in that area. I also lived in Orange County, NY for 30 years and that county was hit incredibly hard by Irene.
When I read your evacuation hub I was touched by the fact that you took your elderly neighbor with you and thought it was important to add a link to your hub as an example of looking out for others who are unable to get themselves to safety.
Again, am so glad you not only made it to safety but that when you returned everything was okay.
Wow Gail, what a Rich and Informative Read. I guess we made it through Irene as did you and your family. We too, (as you know) had to evacuate...Taking our Elderly Neighbors with us. No regrets...we were Lucky to have been spared on the Jersey Shore due to the wind change. I can't get over the research that you put into this Hub. Excellent read and Video, as well as pictures.
- AUTHOR
Hi Danette,
Thanks for your insightful and very interesting comment. I loved the way you contrasted your reaction to Hurricane Gloria as opposed to your husband's laid back attitude because it illustrates the large range of tolerance people have.
My hubby and I are also on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to storm warnings and in the first half of our marriage I always deferred to his judgement even though my own was often more accurate.
This time when we were half-way to our destination he turned to me and said, "I owe you this trip." I said, "Why?" and he answered, "For that blizzard I tried to make you drive through years ago."
"Ah yes," I said, "The one where you told me the 2 feet of snow that had already fallen and the additional foot that was expected to fall and was causing zero visibility were 'nothing to worry about.' And we drove less than a mile before we heard the NYS Thruway had closed and we had no choice but to return to the hotel."
"Yeah, that one," he said sheepishly. "Sometimes your instincts are good and I just wanted you to know that."
"Well, nothing will make me happier than if they're wrong this time," I said, "But no matter what happens I'm glad we'll be safe and together."
I thought of you during this hurricane and wondered how badly you would be affected. I'm glad you were able to leave for an impromptu road trip that just happened to coincide with the hurricane!
When we lived in MS, my older son (who was about 5 then) and I were advised to seek shelter in a warehouse on base due to a coming hurricane. It turned out to not be a major storm, but big enough that the CO of the base wanted unaccompanied families to be sheltered. It was quite an experience and I can tell you I do not like hurricane season. When we lived in CT, CJ was an infant. Hurricane Gloria came up the coast. While I was nervous and paced, my husband napped with the baby! He grew up in Mobile where they have a lot of them.
Anyway, I think this is an important hub. Sometimes people are afraid they will look as if they are overreacting if they decide to evacuate when they just might be the smart ones.
- AUTHOR
Hi Dr. Bill,
You are absolutely right- if one lives in a coastal region, the best thing is to have a plan in advance.
We don't get many hurricane threats in the Mid Atlantic region, so when they do occur it really gets our attention.
Glad you stay alert to hurricane warnings in Florida and that you have a plan for evacuation should that become needed.
Thanks for taking time to leave a comment.
- AUTHOR
Hi Oceansnsunsets,
Glad this hub resonated with you and I appreciate you leaving such a thoughtful comment. Those of us who love the ocean and live near it do have to accept the potential for hurricanes as being one of the prices we pay for being near an area that generally provides many blessings. At least with hurricanes, we have advance warnings, but earthquakes don't give the same warnings and for that reason are far more treacherous.
I never take the beauty of the Delaware beaches for granted and feel so blessed to be living in this region. One never knows what the future holds, but we can always choose to make the most out of the present.
Great HUB! Living on the coast of Florida. Evacuation is always a possibly. Thank you for all your insight and information. The best is to have a plan in advance. Be Safe1
I loved your hub, and I appreciate how you focused on evacuation as a choice. Also, choosing to have fun on your evacuation just seems brilliant!
I loved the pictures, and the story that you shared in this hub. I hope more people don't wait until there is near danger, death, or putting emergency personnel out all because they just didn't want to be inconvenienced with an evacuation. I look at it as part of just living in one of those areas that can be hit with a hurricane. I had to live like that in regards to Earthquakes in California, though that is a lot different. Great hub!
- AUTHOR
Hi Dolores,
Thanks for taking time to leave a comment and for raising the important point that hurricanes do have potential to cause flooding and severe winds inland. As I'm sure you know, Irene was expected to cause damage all along the Chesapeake Bay much worse than what actually happened.
Forecasts are good in warning that a major storm is coming, but they still have a lot to be desired when predicting intensity in any given area, plus the forecast can keep changing as the storm moves forward. That's why I still kept a close watch on Irene's predicted path even after we were in Hagerstown. We would have gone further inland if the projected path shifted.
I do hope Katia veers off and stays out to sea. I haven't been following her closely yet as it's still so uncertain as to what she's going to do and right now the big fears are for what's happening in the Gulf region.
Hi, Happy - I don't blame you one bit, thought Milford is quite inland. But Hugo tore the heck out of Atlanta which is much father inland than you. My sister, in Berlin, MD said the storm down there was nothing while we up in Baltimore had some pretty fierce wind and power loss. Now you have Katia headed your way - hope she veers off.
- AUTHOR
Hi Hyphenbird,
Yes, it's good to be forewarned and prepared for severe weather and I hope the links in this hub will help people stay alert.
Thanks for taking time to leave an insightful comment and for your ongoing support. It's greatly appreciated.
As more severe weather pummels the country, we all need to know the evacuation procedures and routes. Just tonight we got 40 mile an hour winds and torrential rains. Just amazing. Thanks for the information HBN.
- AUTHOR
Hi WillStarr,
Now there's a scarry thought- being in a horse buggy during a hurricane! I bet you could make a great short story out of that scenario.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a cool comment.
You make a great point. Just a few generations ago, we would probably not have even known a hurricane was coming and wouldn't have gotten very far via horse and buggy anyway.
- AUTHOR
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for the insightful comment. So glad you were also out of harm's way and that your NC home is fine. I know you love the Outer Banks as much as I do and it really seems to have taken a big hit this time. Even the northern region by Duck was affected, although I believe that part of Highway 12 has now been reopened.
Striving to live in the moment is an ongoing process for me, but it seems to come easier the older I get and the more that I practice it.
The German festival was just the thing to raise our spirits and I'm sure you and hubby would have loved it. With so many parks and open land in the region, I'm sure there's plenty of RV spaces nearby. Might be a good event for you to participate in next year.
You were very wise to evacuate your area before Hurricane Irene struck. Everything may have been fine when you returned, but hurricanes, like all weather, is not entirely predictable. It's better to be safe, and you did provide some very useful information and links for emergency procedures and contacts.
We were lucky that we weren't on the coast when the hurricane arrived, but we would have evacuated, too, if we had been at home in NC. As it was, our house was fine, but there was extensive damage in the Outer Banks.
Reading about your evacuation vacation, I'm jealous! We love German food and music, and the German festival in Hagerstown sounds wonderful! I love the way you live in the moment!
Voted up, useful and interesting!
- AUTHOR
Hi Cardelean,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I wholeheartedly agree that impromptu trips, even those made under duress can turn out to be not only memorable, but fun.
Am glad you're spared the ravages of hurricanes and earthquakes. I'd never really worried about earthquakes in our region until VA had one last week.
We don't get hurricanes often but when they do go up the coast it's scary and I feel sorry for all those who have had devastating effects from Irene.
Thanks for your ongoing support. Your comments are always interesting and add to my hubs.
Whew! I am glad to be in Michigan where we are spared most of natures wraths. Aside from an occasional tornado (which we did experience a close one last year), we have no hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.
In my opinion,it is very important to go with what your gut says that you should do, even if it ends up being just for piece of mind. I'm so glad that you and your husband are safe and did not have any damage from the storm. And what a great opportunity to do some exploring! Sometimes those impromptu trips are the best ones.
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