Severe Weather Preparedness Still Needed, October Predicted to Remain Active Hurricane Month

PRNewswire/ -- October is predicted to be another rough hurricane and strong tropical storm month, according to national weather forecasters, so there is plenty of bad weather lurking as we move into the fall and winter months.

Brigade Quartermasters, a supplier of emergency and survival equipment for the military and law enforcement, is advising homeowners and business owners to take severe weather preparedness a step further than extra water and batteries -- especially if it means evacuation, travel and/or living without power for an extended period of time.

"Severe weather this time of year such as tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding can cause power outages and extensive damage to homes and businesses. These storms should not be taken lightly when it comes to stockpiling emergency provisions," said Mitchell L. WerBell, IV, President of Brigade Quartermasters.

"It goes without saying that hurricane and major storm preparation should include back up reserves of food, water and battery-operated power. What catches people by surprise is when they realize living away from home or without power for a long period of time requires the same provisions you might take on a camping trip," he said.

WerBell suggests families take note of how members of the armed services and law enforcement agencies are trained and equipped to survive in remote locations and hazardous weather. His top-10 list of must-have items for anyone without power or required to evacuate a storm includes:

1. Weather radio and/or emergency radio
2. Bags/duffels/travel gear
3. Ponchos/rain gear/insulated coats
4. Bedding (blankets, cots, sleeping bags)
5. Flashlights/batteries/emergency lamp/light sticks
6. Camp tools (cutting, digging, shoveling)
7. Water/fuel storage containers/water purification tablets
8. Hydration packs/containers
9. Cell phone/laptop accessories (chargers, zip drives)
10. GPS receiver/compass


"Hopefully you won't be inconvenienced or away from home for too long, but it's smart to have quick access to proper supplies should an emergency occur," said WerBell, whose company offers a severe weather information and preparedness section on its Web site at www.brigadeqm.com.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page