Five Hurricane Tips for You

The earthquake is over, but that may not be the end of the extreme weather Connecticut has been facing all year.

Hurricane Irene may come this way. The National Weather Service predicts that there is a 50 percent chance of rain on Thursday and 60 percent chance of heavy rain in the evening. Friday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, which is expected to get worse by Saturday night, as there is a 90 percent chance of heavy rain. Tropical storm conditions are possible throughout Sunday.

The following facts and safety tips come from the Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. to learn more about hurricanes and safety tips. Here are five highlights.

• A "full-blown hurricane" consists of winds traveling 75 miles per hour or faster, according to the Connecticut Guide for Emergency Preparedness. Hurricanes are "a type of tropical cyclone," as winds move counterclockwise "near the earth's surface." Hurricane winds are strongest at higher elevations, according to FEMA. Thunderstorms are common during hurricanes. Along the Atlantic Ocean, hurricane season generally lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30.
• Before a hurricane, secure your home. You can "board up windows with 5/8 inch marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install," the FEMA states on its website. "Tape does not prevent windows from breaking." Strap or clip your roof to the "frame structure" on your home. Trees and shrubs near your home should be "well trimmed." Clear "loose" and "clogged" rain gutters, as well as downspouts. Keep your refrigerator on the coldest setting, turn off your propane tanks and avoid using your phone, except for emergencies. Have a supply of water in containers and in your tub ready in case you can't access it otherwise.
• Stay tuned to local news networks and radio stations for any hurricane alerts. Go to a local shelter or evacuate you home as needed if the National Weather Service issues a hurricane warning, and "protect lives and property," the state's emergency preparedness guide states. Bethel's emergency centers, which would be only opened if there were a need in the community, are located at Bethel's fire stations and municipal center.
• You should evacuate your home under the following circumstances, according to FEMA: if the authorities tell you to; if you live in a "mobile home or temporary structure;" if you live in a "high-rise building;" if you live on the "coast," a "floodplain," "near a river, or on an inland waterway;" or if you feel like you are in danger.
• During a hurricane, stay inside and away from windows and glass doors, FEMA states on its website. Be aware that a "lull" could mean you are in the "eye of the storm," so remain cautious, as winds may start again. Close all doors inside your home and secure external doors. Close all curtains and blinds. Hide in a small "interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level" and "lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object."