A hurricane is defined as a meteorological phenomenon in the lower atmosphere, which can be described as a gigantic swirl is a funnel like shape. Hurricanes may stretch to be about 1000 km in diameter and can have a height of 10 km. It produces heavy rains and rapid winds which can reach up to 200 km/hour.
Costa Rica has never been directly impacted by a hurricane. The only damage that has been reported is an indirect consequence of this hydro meteorological phenomenon.
What to do in case of a hurricane?
How do we prepare?
- Prepare an emergency family plan. It’s a simple task and it may help save our family members is a crisis situation.
- Together with your family, make sure to prepare an emergency bag with unprocessed foods, a radio, a flashlight, personal documents, medicines and fabric to cover your nose.
- Make sure to check with your local authorities about the risks or dangers your are exposed to within your neighborhood.
- Pay close attention to the police reports on the radio, television and newspapers.
- Carefully identify your home’s security zones.
- Secure all doors and windows with additional metal supports that can resist strong winds
- Cover all windows with tape or adhesive paper to avoid injuries.
- Always keep into account the probability of having to evacuate your home.
- Trim any long tree branches which may break and cause damages to your home or others.
- Store all canned foods (tuna, beans, sardines, milk) and anything that doesn’t need refrigeration as well as purified water in sealed containers
- Keep in hand a radio and a working flashlight with spare batteries
- Make sure you have a fully equipped first aid kit
- If the CNE (Comision Nacional de Emergencias) recommends to an evacuation of the area and/or your home, FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS! This recommendation is based on the risks and dangers you might face due to the hurricane.
- Keep calm and help your family members. A person who is very upset might be of danger to others.
On-time responses
- Disconnect all gas, power and water supplies until you can make sure there are no leaks or danger of power shortages
- Make sure you are located in a safe zone such as solid construction buildings, basements or tunnels
- Avoid standing near doors, windows, or any place where there is glass
- Keep in hand plenty of potable water
- Keep in hand a first air kit
- Disconnect all power and gas switches
- Always keep in hand a radio so that you can receive information and updates from official police reports
- Hold on to warm, impermeable clothing
- Keep an eye on the water levels close to your home
- Do not light any candles, instead use battery-powered flashlights
- If the wind blows open a window or a door, make sure to walk right towards it
- Do not leave your home or safe zone until your local authorities have recommended for you to do so
- Stay in a safe zone and remain attentive to official reports from the CNE with further instructions and recommendations
Afterwards:
- Stay calm
- Follow all instructions transmitted by the authorities through the available communication channels
- If people are injured, immediately report it to 9-1-1
- Make sure that all the food you ingest is clean and avoid eating any raw foods
- Drink water from potable sealed bottles or make sure you boil water before consuming
- Carefully check your home and make sure there are no potential dangers or threats
- If the house did not suffer any structural damage, stay there
- Make sure that all electronic devices are dry before plugging them to the wall
- Use the phone only to report emergencies
- If your house is within a affected or dangerous area, do not return to it until you are told otherwise by the authorities
- Get rid of stagnant water in order to avoid mosquito plagues
Reminder: Prevention starts within your own family and community. Get together with your neighbors and establish Municipal Committees and Emergency Teams.
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