Storm names 2016 Atlantic hurricane season for 2016 Hurricane season, runs from forecasted to be near normal VITEMA June 1 through Nov. 30. Official storm names to be used this By Jenny Staletovich packing winds over 110 mph. That’s up with emergency evacuation plans, preparedness year are: The Miami Herald slightly worse than last year, when an updating insurance information, gath- intense El Nino in the Pacific generated ering supplies and strengthening tips MIAMI — The time of year that strong winds that helped keep hurri- homes. They repeat the need to follow Alex Hermine Otto nobody wants to celebrate is upon us: canes from building in the Atlantic. Just evacuation orders, particularly with Bonnie Ian Paula hurricane season. 12 storms formed, with 11 becoming the new level of accuracy, and pay V.I. government officials say Colin Julia Richard While this year Mother Nature got a named storms, four hurricanes and attention to state and local emergen- residents should get prepared Danielle Karl Shary jump-start this year by throwing two two major hurricanes. This year fore- cy operations. now. Some preparedness tips Earl Lisa Tobias preseason storms into the mix, the last casters are instead calling for a La “The leading cause of death in hurri- include: Fiona Matthew Virginie time a major hurricane struck the Nina, which can weaken winds. canes is not wind. But for some reason Gaston Nicole Walter United States, Tom Cruise had just When and how intense that pattern ... we think wind is what we’ve got to get • Store enough supplies, (wa- proposed to Katie Holmes and the develops has led to some uncertainty ready for,” said Federal Emergency ter, canned or nonperish- Chicago White Sox were about to cele- with the forecast, NOAA officials said Management Agency Administrator brate their first World Series title in 46 last month. A long-term natural varia- Craig Fugate, a former director of able goods, batteries, medi- V.I. hurricane years. Ancient history, right? tion in Atlantic water temperatures Florida’s Division of Emergency cines, etc.) to meet needs history “We know we can’t take it for grant- could also be playing out, with the Management. “What kills people is for at least three days. ed,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman region entering a cooler phase. water, and the most preventable of • Have a battery-powered ra- Hurricanes and tropical storms Schultz said during a recent briefing at This year, emergency managers are those deaths occur from storm surge.” that have hit the Virgin Islands in dio and flashlight and an the National Hurricane Center. “ We focusing their efforts on lethal storm Forecasters have also improved recent years include: adequate supply of batter- have lived in hurricane alley for far too surges, the leading cause of death in storm tracking over the last five years ies on hand. 2012 — Tropical Storm Sandy long to be complacent and we need to hurricanes. by 20 percent. Storm intensity fore- 2011 — Tropical Storm Irene make sure we’re vigilant each and “This is a game-changing new way casts have also improved, but it’s not • Keep an adequate supply of 2010 — Tropical Storm Otto every year.” for us to communicate the deadliest yet clear how much of that is influ- cash on hand in the events 2010 — Hurricane Earl The National Oceanic and hurricane hazard of all,” Knabb said. enced by a lack of intense storms. banks are closed and ATMs 2008 — Hurricane Omar Atmospheric Administration is predict- But with so much time between “That’s our biggest worry,” Knabb 2004 — Tropical Storm Jeanne are not working. storms, emergency managers fear that said. “We haven’t had as many 1999 — Hurricane Lenny ing a near normal year for storms — 10 • Pack a disaster supply kit 1998 — Hurricane Georges to 16 named storms, four to eight hur- the warnings won’t be heeded or that storms lately, so we can’t tell if the that includes medicines, a ricanes and one to four major storms the public will fail to prepare by coming trend in errors going down is real.” 1996 — Hurricane Bertha change of clothing and eas- 1995 — Hurricane Marilyn ily carried toys or books for 1995 — Hurricane Luis VITEMA says review preparedness measures now 1989 — Hurricane Hugo children. VITEMA Director, Elton Lewis, is last minute dash to the grocery or members, he said. Stay informed by 1984 — Tropical Storm Klaus • Make disaster plans, includ- advising the public to review pre- hardware stores. Make sure you tuning in to local radio and television 1979 — Hurricane David ing an evaculation plan, a paredness measures for the hurri- have essential items that address for weather updates or by monitoring 1979 — Hurricane Frederic family event. cane season. “Now is the ideal time needs of the household in the event NOAA weather radios. to reassess your emergency supply of a prolonged power outage or in the For more information about storms • Make sure items that could Hurricane kit so that in the event a weather event you have to shelter away from and hurricanes and about steps to be blown away are secured system is approaching the territory, home.” being prepared, visit www.VITEMA. well ahead of the storm. websites you’re ready,” Lewis said. “Being Preparations should include main- gov/plan-prepare, www.Ready.gov National Hurricane Center prepared means that you avoid the taining communication with family www.nhc.noaa.gov or www.Listo.gov. Stormpulse www.stormpulse.com Intellicast www.intellicast.com The Weather Channel www.weather.com BoatU.S. www.boatus.com/hurricanes 2016 Hurricane Tips and Tracking Guide Copyright © 2016 Daily News Publishing Co. The 2016 Hurricane Tips and Tracking Guide is a special section of The Virgin Islands Daily News and is published by the Daily News Publishing Co. at 9155 Estate Thomas, St. Thomas, USVI 00802. For information on advertising, call 340-774-8772; fax 340-774-0660; e-mail advertising@ Damage from Hurricane Earl in 2010 virginislandsdailynews.com. The top 10 of what you’ll need The Federal Emergency 2. Tools and supplies 4. Clothing and bedding 7. Communications Management Agency and American • Mess kits or paper cups, plates, • At least one complete change of • Battery-operated radio. Red Cross have compiled a list of the and plastic utensils. clothing and footwear per person. • Cellular phone. Top 10 categories of items that ev- • Emergency preparedness manual. • Sturdy shoes or work boots. • Prepaid phone cards. ery family disaster kit should contain. • Extra batteries. • Rain gear. • Roll of quarters. These agencies recommend that • Flashlights. • Blankets or sleeping bags. • List of family, friends and emer- one kit with the items listed below be • Cash or traveler’s checks and • Hat and work gloves. gency contact numbers. stored in a secure place at home and change for coin-operated ma- • Sunglasses. a second smaller version be kept in chines. 5. Special items 8. Extras the car. • Non-electric can opener, utility • For baby: formula, diapers, bottles, • Battery-operated fans. 1. First-aid kit knife. medication, powdered milk. • A fuel-driven generator. • Fire extinguisher; small canister • For pregnant women: special vi- • Extra toilet paper, kitty litter or a • Sterile adhesive bandages in as- ABC type. tamins, medications, extra water, camp toilet. sorted sizes. • Pliers. emergency phone numbers. • A propane stove or plenty of • Assorted sizes of safety pins. • Tape. • For seniors: medications, physi- Sterno. • Cleansing agent/soap. • Compass. cal aids, denture needs, extra eye- • Several ice chests and plenty of • Sunscreen. • Matches in a waterproof container. glasses. ice or a small propane refrigerator. • 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6). • Aluminum foil. • For persons with disabilities: medi- • 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6). • Plastic storage containers. cations, special equipment and 9. Entertainment • Triangular bandages (3). • Signal flare. batteries. and stress relief • 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 • Paper, pencil. • Board games. rolls). • Needles, thread. 6. Important family • Books, including your religious • 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 • Medicine dropper. documents texts. rolls). • Shut-off wrench, to turn off house- Keep these records in a waterproof, • Deck of cards. • Scissors. hold gas and water. portable container: • Paper and pencils. • Tweezers. • Whistle. • Wills, insurance policies, con- • Jump rope. • Needle. • Plastic sheeting. • Moistened towelettes. tracts, deeds, stocks and bonds. • Small ball. • Antiseptic. 3. Sanitation • Passports, Social Security cards, • Thermometer. immunization records. 10. Food and water • Toilet paper, towelettes. • Tongue blades (2). • Bank account numbers. • Allow at least two quarts of drink- • Soap, liquid detergent. • Tube of petroleum jelly or other lu- • Credit card account numbers and ing liquid per person, per day. It • Feminine supplies. bricant. companies. can be water, fruit and vegeta- • Personal hygiene items. • Aspirin of non-aspirin pain reliever. • Inventory of valuable household ble juices, or canned soft drinks, • Plastic bucket with tight lid. • Anti-diarrhea medication. goods; important telephone num- Breast-feeding women may need • Disinfectant. • Antacid. bers. more fluids. • Household chlorine bleach. • Laxative. • Family records (birth, marriage, • Stock enough food to feed your death certificates). family for two weeks. — Adapted from the Disaster Supplies Kit developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross Kmart, conveniently located in Tutu Park Mall and Lockhart Shopping Center for all your hurricane supply needs. Hurricane tracking map Preparedness and caution are key Hurricane safety How to stock your emergency food pantry Items to have in stock Items to have in your Know what to do • Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn and • Stock fuels for emergency cooking. disaster supply kit in a hurricane watch go another way. If you are caught on • • • Stock up on serving utensils such First-aid kit and essential Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or a flooded road and waters are rising medications.