The 2017 Hurricane season was one of the most active and disastrous seasons to date. Featuring Seventeen named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes. As we get deeper into the 2018 hurricane season, both the Red Cross and OnStar are warning the public about the value in being prepared. The following article will discuss the prior storm season, what we experienced as an emergency backup power retailer and the importance of being prepared.
Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey caused over 125 billion in damage according to the National Hurricane Center, a division of the United States' National Weather Service, responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems. Severely affecting at least 13 Million people, the major damage originated from the massive rain fall, a total of two feet within the first 24 hours. 250,000 people were left without power. Due to the massive damage and flooding, carriers were unable to deliver supplies and generators for weeks surrounding the events of the storm.
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma was an extremely fast forming force. It reached major hurricane status only two days after genesis. This left little to no time for preparation once forming. At one point, Hurricane Irma was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. Although known mainly for the damage caused to Florida, Hurricane Irma caused massive damaged to Antigua, Barbuda, the U.S Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, then Florida, and finally dissipating over western Tennessee. The damage estimate from Hurricane Irma is up to $100 billion. Florida was another area that was significantly affected by a lack of preparation. This was mainly due to the speed at which this storm formed and grew. This left little to no time for generators and back up power system to reach much needed residents.
Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria made landfall as a category 4 Hurricane on the island of Puerto Rico. More than 90% of the island was left without power. This was the second-largest power outage in world record, and the largest blackout in US history. Today marks the 9-month anniversary of the storm, and there are still thousands of people without power in certain parts of the Island. A major concern going into the 2018 hurricane season, is the current state of the grid. Temporary fixes are still in place, of which, could result in a massive blackout event due to the weakened state of the US territory. Immediately following Hurricane Maria, it was nearly impossible for people to get supplies and generators in a timely fashion, if at all. The incoming shipment and delivery channels were inundated with supplies, making it impossible to get anything shipped to the much-needed locals.
Preparation Supplies and Recommendations
With increasing strides in technology, medicine and general speed and efficiency in our daily lives, it is easy to forget about the essentials needed for survival. We recommend starting with the following essentials when preparing for the worst.
First and foremost, the Wise Company Ultimate 72 Hour Emergency Kit includes enough food for two, which has a shelf life of up to 25 years and can easily be purchased and packed away for when you need it most. If you are more of a DIY individual, we recommend picking up a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer and capitalizing on those easy to preserve left-overs.
The Torch 250 Flashlight; a fantastic, reliable item that will come in handy regardless of the situation at hand. It can be recharged via Solar power, USB or the included hand Crank, and even features the ability to charge a Smart Phone!
Another Key item to have is a Generator. We highly recommend something with a renewable power source, as it does not rely on procuring a key fuel source that may not be accessible in your time of need. For a portable solution, we recommend the Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Lithium Lightweight Solar Generator Kit, the largest portable system on the market. As far as stationary units go, the Earthtech Products 6.5 kWh Solar Generator Kit typically packs enough power to sustain your main essential items in the event of an outage.
Lastly, if you are in an area that often encounters major events such as a Tornado, we recommend installing a Tornadosafe Storm Shelter. These units undergo extensive testing at TexasTech University's National Wind Institute and can withstand almost anything.
It is our goal to not only inform the public about emergency preparedness and the importance of having a plan, but to supply the most reliable and efficient products the market has to offer. As always, we are just a phone call away (877-548-3387) and are happy to offer our expertise!