Rip Currents

Wednesday September 22, 2010

I have written about the danger of rip currents in the past but some things are important enough that they bear repeating. Recently a woman from my area was caught in a rip current and drowned. It happened on a beautiful beach day which ended with a spectacular sunset. All should have been right with the world but instead there was a terrible tragedy.

It is important to stop and look carefully at the water you are going to enter. Sometimes you can identify a rip current from shore. There may be disturbance in the water-a noticeable break in the wave action, a column of different colored water, or a section of debris filled water moving swiftly away from the shore. Rip currents are at their strongest two hours before and after low tide and during a full moon.

If you are in the water and suddenly find yourself in a rip current your response will probably be the difference between life and death. It is vital to remember that a rip current will not pull you under the water it will pull you away from shore.

1. If you are caught in a rip current don't panic or swim against the current.
2. You should swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward the shore.
3. If you are unable to break free of the current, float or tread water.
4. Try to draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help.

Additional evacuation information available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

The Agitated Atlantic Ocean

Tuesday September 14, 2010

Before the start of this year's hurricane season most forecasters were predicting that it would be an extremely active one. This year they got it right. The storm count for the current Atlantic season stands at 11 named storms (5 of these storms reaching hurricane strength). Although 11 storms is the average number for an Atlantic season we need to remember that we aren't finished yet. We have over 2 more months (77 days to be exact) of the 2010 hurricane season left. Unfortunately, we are just now entering the traditional peak of hurricane activity.

The current satellite photos of the Atlantic Ocean remind me of the actions of a giant washing machine. Some of the Atlantic's surface waters are choppy and agitated while three other areas are in the violent spin cycle. I hope you will think of a washing machine every time the weather station displays the storms in the Atlantic ocean. If you can make this mental association it will help you to remember that your home's washing machine can be a valuable place to store possessions left behind during an evacuation. When I am packing my washing machine I always first turn off the water to the machine and then place the items inside garbage bags to help protect them. I try to make the washing machine as heavy as possible because I know that the extra weight will give it more stability. With all the storms swirling around out there we need all the stability we can find!

Additional evacuation information available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

Turn, Earl, Turn!

Thursday September 2, 2010

Two hundred and fifty thousand coastal residents of North Carolina are under a mandatory evacuation. Hurricane Earl is bearing down on the Eastern Coast of the United States with maximum sustained winds of 145 miles per hour. If our luck holds this category 4 hurricane will not make landfall and will instead stay offshore to track its way up the coastline.
However you must not be lulled into a false since of security by this possibility. Earl is a solid category 4 hurricane with mb reading of 932 at the present time. Most disturbing, it has not yet made the critical turn required to keep its path from making landfall. Please remember that the flooding, storm surges, and destructive winds associated with a hurricane of this magnitude will impact areas located hundreds of miles away from the eye. If an evacuation has been ordered for your area then you must leave now.
If you live outside the threatened area and would like to help out I have an idea. Let's all focus our minds on the dangerous well-formed eye of this hurricane and chant, "Turn Earl Turn!" Everybody believes in the power of positive thought right? Then let's pray, chant, and send our positive energy to the threatened area. The people along the North Carolina coast have just been pounded in recent years by storms and they deserve a break.

Additional evacuation information available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com