Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Tornadoes – Oh My!

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It was about this time three years ago when Hurricane Sandy was all over the news. Remember it well, right? The scenes of fallen trees and catastrophic damage were everywhere on the East Coast. Hurricane Sandy, also known as “Superstorm Sandy” was extremely devastating. The impact of these storms is simply incredible.Many people’s lives changed after the disaster. A question that arises from a situation like this is: how can we prepare for these disasters in the future?

Do you remember the feeling you got when you found out February break was cancelled? Or the days you had to go without power? Hurricane Sandy had obviously impacted us all. It caused much destruction including the wreckage and flooding of many homes. Families were displaced and had no place to seek shelter. According to weather.com, Kings Point, New York, took on 12.65 feet of storm surge. The New York Times reported that by the time Sandy had left New Jersey, about 346,000 homes were destroyed in the state. The effects of Superstorm Sandy are seen to this day. Many people are still constructing or repairing their homes. Some, unfortunately, don’t have their homes at all.

Hurricane Sandy is just one of the many examples of natural disasters that have long-term effects. Tornadoes, likewise, are also extremely powerful storms. According to CNN, the reported number of tornadoes averages 1,000 in the United States. Just imagine all the destruction 1,000 tornadoes could do. It’s just unfathomable. According to the National Weather Service, there were 47 tornado-related deaths in the United States in the year 2014 alone. 

Earthquakes are also quite disastrous. Though short in duration, they have a profound effect on human beings. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, collapsing buildings are what kill people during these disasters, not the earthquakes themselves. The falling objects from the intense vibrations can do serious damage.

The best way to combat any of these tragedies is to prepare for them. Make sure you have safety supplies like flashlights, batteries and first aid kits handy before a calamity strikes. Know your  evacuation plan and safety rules. Before a hurricane strikes, prepare your home by reinforcing windows and doors. Before an earthquake occurs, make sure you take items from the top shelves and put them on lower shelves. In any environmental disaster, make sure you utilize your family emergency and communication plans. If you know that a tornado or any natural catastrophe is coming, get to a shelter immediately! Natural disasters are to be taken very seriously and should be prepared for. Don’t waste any time. Be prepared.