Hurricane Irma: Lessons Learned

On Sunday, 10 September 2017, Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, approached the state of Florida. In anticipation of the life-threatening winds, rain, and flooding, a lot of nervous residents evacuated north, creating massive traffic jams on Interstates 75 and 95 and the Florida Turnpike. Others decided to shelter in place and ride out the storm. I was among those who chose to hunker down.

As it turns out, Irma was a killer storm. It showed no mercy and took no prisoners. The unofficial death toll in Florida exceeded 70. For a while it seemed as if Irma could be the storm that would finally wipe south Florida off the map.

But Irma’s path veered to the west, and heavily populated Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties avoided a direct strike. The Florida Keys were not as lucky. South Florida got lots of rain, considerable wind damage, and a power outage that, for many, would last for well over a week, but all in all, it could have been much worse.

In the aftermath, there were many examples of the prepared, the underprepared, and the totally unprepared. There were also many lessons to be learned from the experience. After all, no matter how good your preparations and plans are, there will always be ample room for improvement if you’re paying attention. This is especially true during an actual disaster.

Many of these lessons are not unique to tropical storms and can be applied to many other disaster situations. If there was anything positive to come from Hurricane Irma, it was the very loud wake-up call that many people

got.

I found the examples below to be particularly interesting. You may consider them insights to add to your survival tool box, or confirmation of things you already know. They are all powerful reminders that we must always be prepared and can never let our guard down.

On Sunday, the worst of the storm passed over Miami-Dade County. On Monday, local authorities were already advising residents not to open their doors for anyone claiming to be from FEMA, the police, or Florida Power & Light, since none of these entities had sent any personnel into the field yet.

Apparently, some criminals had figured out that impersonating first responders, utility workers, and FEMA personnel could afford them easy access into people’s homes. Less than 24 hours into the aftermath and there were already reports of home invasions and residents being assaulted and robbed at gunpoint. Go figure.

Looters also came out in full force. Some of these vermin were especially bold, making no attempt to hide their criminal activity as they broke into establishments and hauled off cell phones, clothes, sneakers, and sporting goods.

A lot of these activities were filmed by local news crews that were out reporting on the storm. Police made dozens of arrests, but from all indications, many looters got away.

Lesson

Criminals don’t take time off, not even for disasters. They’re also not likely to change their ways just because the community is suffering. On the contrary, they’ll be looking for opportunities to turn the panic and confusion of the situation to their advantage.

After a crisis, they’ll be on the prowl for targets of opportunity. Your job is to make sure you don’t become one of those “easy” targets.

Your first lines of defense are to remain vigilant, always be aware of your surroundings, and then take appropriate steps to safeguard yourself and your family. Specifically, you must have a strong security and self-defense plan. Make it a point to test and rehearse your plan well in advance, to ensure that all members of your group understand what to expect and how to respond.

As you test and identify deficiencies in your plan, make adjustments and improvements. The preferred strategy is usually to avoid coming in contact with any of these individuals, since the best confrontation is the one that never happens.

To this end, don’t do anything that will call attention to you, your property, or your situation. As a last resort, always be prepared to defend yourself and your family without any outside help. This requires planning, skills and the appropriate tools to get the job done. You must always be on the alert, but this is especially true after a major disaster, when criminals will likely feel empowered to act with impunity, and law enforcement will be stretched very thin.

GASOLINE

In the days leading up to Irma’s anticipated landfall, it seemed that everyone in south Florida decided, at the same time of course, to fill up their gas tanks. Within hours, many gas stations ran dry and closed their pumps. Other stations had very long lines, some stretching for many blocks.

The combination of long lines and short tempers soon led to arguments, fights and, in some instances, arrests when some residents decided that pulling a weapon over an argument at a gas station was the most appropriate and prudent thing to do.

Watching these events unfold was surreal. During a disaster, it’s amazing how quickly the thin veneer of civility gets stripped away. In the days after the storm, more of the same ensued, except even more gas stations were closed. Station owners had grown tired of the Wild West atmosphere at their stations, and some hired off-duty officers and armed security guards to keep order and direct traffic flow.

THE LAST MINUTE

Nothing raises blood pressure, anxiety levels, and overall stress like rushing to get something important done at the last minute. Procrastination turns what could have been an orderly and well-thought-out process into a mad, chaotic rush fueled by desperation and panic.

There is nothing desirable or beneficial about delaying important decisions, arrangements, or preparations until the last possible moment. Yet for the vast majority of the population, these final moments are the only time they even consider taking any action(s) to provide for their needs.

As a result, stores, supermarkets, gas stations, banks, and all manner of other businesses were overrun in the final two to three days before Irma’s arrival. I’ve seen this phenomenon many times, and it never ceases to amaze me.

Lesson

Logic and reason strongly tell us that all meaningful plans and preparations must be made far in advance of any crisis. People who prepare in advance use the final days before a crisis to do one last review and to fine-tune any minor details, not to begin their preparations.

We will never change the hearts and minds of people who simply refuse to accept responsibility for themselves or to acknowledge reality. But we can certainly do our part correctly and be prepared.

We also have no need to voluntarily place ourselves among the panicked hordes that are so common in these situations. While all this chaos plays out, you can be safely at home or quietly making your way out of town.

CURFEWS

After a significant disaster, expect local officials to institute curfews, at least for the short term. Curfews prohibit people from traveling outside by vehicle or foot during the designated hours, and help law enforcement personnel and emergency crews do their jobs by clearing roads and keeping people safely indoors when conditions outside may be hazardous.

After Irma, seven south Florida cities issued curfews, generally running from 7:00PM to 7:00AM. Even truck drivers delivering emergency supplies and equipment had to carry documentation to prove who they were, who they worked for, and what business they had in the affected areas.

Lesson

Common sense dictates that areas affected by massive power outages, downed trees, non-functioning traffic signals, and storm-related criminal activity are generally not safe, especially after dark.

Most rational people stay indoors after dark, with or without a curfew, but many others take no such precautions. Curfews are sometimes necessary, but they still feel weird. Plan your activities around the curfews to avoid confrontations with law enforcement.

If you have planned carefully, there’s usually no need to be out and about during dangerous times. If you must go out, take precautions and have the necessary manpower, tools, and training to protect yourself and other members of your group.

WATER

After a storm, there is a strong likelihood that municipal water supplies will become contaminated with bacteria, sewage, dangerous industrial chemicals, or other toxic waste.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, many areas in Florida were entirely without water or residents were advised to boil water obtained from the faucet before consuming it. (Note: Boiling water only kills micro-organisms. It does not remove chemicals, toxins, or other industrial waste products.

Boiling may actually concentrate those substances.) As a result, some residents were forced to travel long distances to obtain and carry water back to their homes.

Lesson

Storing water is one of the best ways to ensure your water needs before, during, and after a crisis. If bottled water is not available, you can safely store water from your tap any time before it becomes compromised.

Store your water in empty food-safe containers, buckets, sinks, bathtubs, pots and pans.

Even easier, have a water plan and store sufficient quantities of clean, fresh water year-round, since storms are not the only disaster that could compromise a local water supply.

Maintain no less than two gallons per person, per day; more in hot and humid climates.