If the plane actually flies, the warranty on the wings is automatically voided.

 

it should fly faster

 

Hurrican Season here guys!!! Here are some helpful things that should help all of us get ready for the Hurricane Season!! I want all of us to be safe and sound if a hurricane actually hits!!!

What you need to know before, during and after a storm!


Florida, with a coastline of 1,350 miles, is more susceptible to hurricanes than any other state. As many South Floridians have learned, it is important to form an emergency plan and review it annually.

The following information can form part of the checklist for an emergency plan. Pay close attention to information from the National Weather Service and know the meaning of terms it uses:

• Tropical disturbance: A moving area of thunderstorms in the tropics.

• Tropical depression: A system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined rotary circulation and sustained one-minute winds up to 38 mph.

• Tropical storm: A system of strong thunderstorms with a counterclockwise circulation of clouds and sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. These storms are assigned names.

• Hurricane: An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph.

• Major hurricane: A storm with winds above 110 mph.

• Eye: The center portion of a hurricane around which the winds and rain rotate. Winds are light and skies are clear or partly cloudy when the eye is passing through. The calm can be deceptive, however, as the hurricane forces continue to swirl around the eye.

• Categories: Hurricanes are rated from one to five, according to wind speed and storm surge: Category One is 74-95 mph with four to five foot surge; Two is 96-110 mph with six to eight foot surge; Three is 111-130 mp with nine to 12 foot surge; Four is 131-155 with 13 to 18 foot surge; Five is more than 155 with surge exceeding 18 feet.

• Advisory: Advisories are issued every six hours once a tropical weather system develops a closed circulation and is issued a number. Advisories list the storm's location, intensity, forecast direction and precautions that should be taken.

• Tropical storm watch: A storm with winds of 39-73 mph may threaten your area within 36 hours.

• Tropical storm warning: A storm with winds of 39-73 mph is likely within 24 hours.

• Hurricane watch: A hurricane may threaten your area, usually within 36 hours. This should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated.

• Hurricane warning: A hurricane is expected to strike within 24 hours. Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

• Tornado watch: Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.

• Tornado warning: A tornado has been detected in your area. Take shelter.

• Flood warning: Rainfall flooding is imminent or occuring. You may need to evacuate at a moment's notice.

• Storm surge: Begins as an arch of water that sometimes reaches out for 50 miles. It forms over the deepest part of the ocean and combines with the low pressure and strong winds around the hurricane's eye. As the storm moves over more shallow waters, the arch becomes a storm surge: a huge wall of water that can rise to 20 feet above sea level and produce massive flooding and damage at the shoreline.

BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON

• Create a hurricane kit that includes water, food, manual can opener, non-perishable foods, flashlight, battery-operated radio, prescription medicines, valuable documents, cash, bedding, first aid kit, first aid manual and things you will need for self-sufficiency for three to 14 days.

• Make an inventory of possessions. Take pictures of each room; in case of damage, pictures will help you identify what is lost. Make an additional copy to give to your insurance claims adjuster. Store photos in a secure place where you can retrieve them after the storm.

• Assess the status of your storm preparations. Know where you'll go if you evacuate.

• Figure out arrangements for pets -- they're not permitted in evacuation shelters.

• Check your roof and the structure of your house. Make necessary repairs.

• Trim trees and branches, remove coconuts and other yard debris.

• Check your fire extinguishers.

• Make arrangements to secure your boat on a trailer or move it to safe harbor.

IF A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED

• Begin listening for storm updates.

• Fill the car's gas tank and keep it topped off.

• Review your preparedness plan with your household.

• Establish an out-of-town phone number with family or friends to relay messages about your whereabouts after the storm.

• Refill pending prescriptions.

• Fill out supply of canned foods, soft drinks and water.

• In a rugged, waterproof container, collect medical and property insurance papers, immunization records and medical records of anyone with special needs. Include a few cherished mementos.

• If you do not have to evacuate, determine your ''safe room'' or a room that is away from windows and has walls close together.

• Put shutters, window and door protection in place if instructed by local officials.

• Do not trim branches or limbs from trees. These could become dangerous missiles if picked up by the wind.

• Locate the turnoff valves for electricity, water and gas.

IF A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED

• Fill bathtubs and jugs with water. Figure on using a gallon of water per person per day (don't forget pets).

• Turn refrigerator and freezer settings to the coldest levels. Freeze water in plastic containers. If electricity fails, you can use them to help keep food cold.

• Bring in any outdoor objects that could become projectiles in high winds.

• Install your shutters or cover all your windows and doors. Install braces on your garage doors if they do not meet the current building code.

• Disconnect natural gas to individual appliances at the supply valves near each unit. Do not turn off the main gas line. Disconnect propane gas to individual appliances, as well. Fill any propane tanks prior to the storm's arrival.

• Remove external antennas.

• Remove valuable pictures and bric-a-brac from walls.

• Wedge sliding glass doors with a bar.

• Draw drapes and blinds.

• Turn off electricity to the pool and cover the pump equipment with waterproof material. Remove and store child safety fences.

• Gather your hurricane kit and stay in your saferoom. Essentials for the room include your hurricane kit, sturdy shoes, something to cover your head such as a pillow or mattress and a fire extinguisher.

MOBILE HOMES

• Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable so they should be evacuated for any tropical storm or hurricane.

• Secure all outdoor objects by bringing them in.

• Lower all awnings. Shutter or board windows and doors.

• When a hurricane warning is issued, go to the home of a friend or family member or evacuation center.

HIGH-RISES

• Residents of high-rise apartments should know that winds are stronger at higher elevations. Glass doors and windows may blow out of their casings and weaken the structure.

• If you live in an evacuation area, you'll have to leave when the order is given.

• If you live outside the evacuation area, seek shelter on the third floor or above to keep you safe from the storm surge.

• Know the location of all exit stairways. Count the number of steps and direction to the closest exit in case the lights in the hallway aren't operating.

• Don't use the elevator.

• Decide where the family will meet if you are separated.

• Bring in all loose items from the patio or balcony. Close and lock all windows, sliding glass doors and shutters.

• If you are renting, make sure you know what the owner is responsible for, such as putting up shutters.

• Building managers or condo associations should organize a group of responsible residents to develop a plan to secure the grounds:

Set up guidelines for storing cars and boats.

Condominium or high-rise building boards should find out if their buildings have back-up generators.

Elevator cars should be stopped at the top of the shaft so that they are less likely to be damaged by water or debris.

Find a structurally safe area for residents to congregate such as a hallway above the third floor.

Set up a system to keep track of residents who plan to leave the building, so everyone can be accounted for.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Pregnant women in their last month or at high risk must ask their doctors if hospitalization is necessary. Most hospitals will not admit pregnant women without authorization from a physician. If approved, make arrangements for children; hospitals likely won't allow children or spouses to come along.

• Children should help with the storm preparations, which will allow them to talk about their fears and share in the family's responsibilities.

• Residents who need assistance with daily living or have electrically dependent medical equipment may need assistance evacuating. They must be registered with the appropriate county agency before the storm. They should contact their local emergency management office and request an application.

• For diabetics, find a cool place for insulin supply. It will keep safely for a month at 85 degrees. Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar more often during the emergency. Have hard candy or juice available for insulin reactions.

• Dialysis patients should make arrangements with their care provider to have dialysis as soon as possible.

• Elderly residents of high-rises should not stay there if instructed to evacuate. Even inland, power failures after the storm could trap them.

IF YOU MUST EVACUATE

• Authorities will issue an evacuation order broadcast over television and radio. They also will release lists of evacuation shelters and times they will open. Follow recommended routes to the evacuation center, and if possible, travel during daylight.

• Take your own supplies to the shelter, including food, a change of clothes and shoes, medicine, diapers and other sanitary needs. Bring a radio, pencil, notebook, important papers, flashlight, bedding, plastic bags for dirty clothes and items to keep yourselves amused.

• Remember that pets (except guide dogs), firearms and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in evacuation centers. Find an inland kennel for pets or leave them behind.

• Register at the desk when entering. The Red Cross keeps records of the people they shelter that can be searched nationally. This will help family and friends find you if you cannot contact them right away.

• Volunteer to assist shelter workers.

• Keep your area as clean and neat as possible. Bring your sense of humor; tensions can run high.

DURING A HURRICANE

• Remain indoors away from doors and windows in an area with the walls close together such as a hallway or closet. Keep something with you such as a mattress or pillow to protect your head.

• Don't go outside, even during the lull when the eye passes, unless it is an emergency.

• Prepare for storm surge and possible flooding.

• If you have a pet, consider keeping it in the room with you in a travel carrier.

• Listen to a battery-powered radio or television for information.

AFTER A HURRICANE

• Venture outdoors carefully. Power lines are likely to be down; be careful where you step. Keep your pets inside as much as possible.

• Stay away from disaster areas; don't sightsee.

• Drive very carefully. Do not drive through a flooded area. Approach every intersection as a four-way stop.

• If possible, let friends, relatives and your employer know you are safe.

• Keep all calls, land-line and wireless, to a minimum in order to allow for emergency calls to get through. If you hear a fast busy signal, phone use may be at capacity. Be advised that the Web may also be affected.

• Find out if your water supply is safe.

• Watch out for snakes, wildlife and insects that have been driven to higher ground.

• Local, state and federal agencies will respond as quickly as possible, but you should count on being self-sufficient for three days.

• If you do not have the supplies you need, go to a relief site as quickly as possible. Public, private and volunteer agencies may be able to get you water, food, medical attention and shelter.

• Monitor local media for vital information such as recovery facilities, insurance company field offices and shelter if you need it.

• Keep all receipts for items you buy before power is restored. Your insurance or governmental assistance may cover some of your living expenses.

 

HOME PREPARATION


Preparing your home for a hurricane won't take as long as repairing the damage that could have been avoided with a few precautions.

Here are some tips:

• You may want to talk with your neighbors to coordinate preparation plans and help each other out.

• The greatest threat to your home in most hurricanes is not the wind itself but wind-blown debris that can break windows and doors. Bring anything from the yard that could become wind-borne inside -- and ask neighbors to do the same.

• Taping your windows doesn't offer any protection. If you don't have impact-resistant windows, steel or aluminum storm shutters are an option. Plywood panels are another, but only if they're prepared and fitted beforehand. If you buy shutters, check to make sure they meet standards.

• When shopping for shutters, ask about the weight gauge or thickness. The lower the gauge (for galvanized steel) or greater the thickness (for aluminum), the stronger the shutter. However, don't purchase shutters too heavy to be installed efficiently before a storm.

• Reinforce the garage doors and tracks with center supports. About 80 percent of residential hurricane wind damage starts with wind entry through garage doors, according to the Florida Alliance for Safe Homes.

• Consider buying shutters for the doors. Be sure to shutter any door with a substantial amount of glass, and be prepared to wedge sliding glass doors and windows. In addition, pick one door -- such as a side door to the garage -- as an entry and exit point for the house. Ideally, that would be a steel door. If you have large attic wall vents, put shutters over them, and don't forget the skylights. Remember, any window or door being breeched by hurricane forces can contribute to roof failure, so shutter up.

• Bring inside objects that can blow away, such as your mailbox, garbage cans and lawn furniture. What you can't move, anchor. If you have window air-conditioners, secure them tightly.

• Remove your TV antenna or satellite dish, but be careful not to touch electrical wires. Unplug your television before taking down your antenna.

• Take ''before'' pictures of your home and store them in a secure place where you can access them after the storm.

• Cover valuable indoor furniture with plastic. If you lose your shingles and the roof starts leaking, you may save your sofa. And remember a can of roofing tar and roll of heavy plastic could be priceless after a storm.

• If you use a generator after the storm, make sure it is grounded, and limit the appliances you plug into it. Always let it cool down before refueling. Never run a generator indoors or in the garage, and never connect it to your home wiring.

• Choose a safe room, preferably an interior hallway or bedroom with no windows, to ride out the storm. Keep a mattress and a functional fire extinguisher nearby.

• Don't forget to check your tires and fill your gas tank. Pumps won't work without electricity.

• Park your car where it will be most protected if it must be outdoors. Put it as close to the side of the house as possible.

 

CAR PREPARATION

Protection for your car will be most effective if you plan long before a storm looms.

• If your garage is full, clean it out so you can park your cars in it.

• If there is no electricity after the storm, disengage your electric garage door. All garage-door openers have an emergency disconnect -- a small cord hanging from the mechanism at the top of the door. Pull the cord and it disengages the electric motor.

Some garage doors are heavy, so get help to lift them. And remember to keep hold of a front-door key if you usually enter through the garage and have trouble lifting the door.

• Park your car where it will be most protected if it must be outdoors. Try putting it as close to the side of the house as possible, away from any power lines or trees.

• A canvas cover may protect your car's finish from scratches and nicks, but the wind will likely tear it off.

• A canvas or vinyl carport awning provides no protection during a hurricane; take it into the house. Awning poles cemented in place offer no resistance to the wind and likely will not be standing after the storm.

• Two-car families could park one car in a public garage and the other at home. Be aware that high water and closed roads may make it impossible for you to retrieve your car immediately after the storm. There is usually little glass in parking garages, but if the sides are open, debris and water could damage your car.

• Fill your car's gas tank before a storm -- gas stations usually rely on electricity to power their pumps.

• After the storm, do not start your car if water rose to a level where it made contact with the engine, according to the American Automobile Association. Replace all fluids and have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic. Remember, your car might run, but the water can affect features such as air bags and electronic equipment.

• Avoid driving through standing water. The average car can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water.

 

GET POOL READY


Before a storm hits, here's what you should do to your swimming pool:

• Some experts say it's not necessary to lower the pool level. However, if you fear flooding, lower the level to just below the skimmer, about three inches. Close the skimmer valve to prevent damage to the pump and piping.

• Add extra chlorine to prevent contamination. Pool service companies recommend powdered shock or liquid chlorine. The pool also provides a handy source of water for washing or flushing toilets if your house water supply fails.

• Do not allow anyone enter the pool after chlorine is added.

• Turn off the electricity to the pool equipment at the circuit breaker, not at the pump.

• Disconnect pool lights and chlorinators.

• Once the pump is cool, you can wrap it in a plastic bag for extra protection.

• Wrap an exposed filter with waterproof covering and tie it securely.

• Remove the child safety fence. Do not allow children near the pool after the fence is removed. You must reinstall it immediately after the storm.

• Bring patio furniture indoors; don't throw it in the pool. Furniture may chip and damage the pool finish and the chlorine won't do it any good.

• If you have time, remove canvas patio awnings and bring them indoors. The aluminum frame may be able to withstand the winds blowing through it.

• Even if it's full of debris, do not drain your pool after a hurricane. Our high water table could cause the pool to ''pop'' out of the ground.

For more tips, contact the Associated Swimming Pool Industries of Florida, 305-937-0960.

 

Thank you Thank you our official TĒMĒVO meterologist

 

PET SAFETY


Pets counton their masters to keep them safe during a hurricane. So prepare before the storm arrives.

Emergency shelters for people won't accept animals, except for service animals such as a seeing eye dog. If you live in an evacuation area and have to move to a shelter, you'll be asked to leave your pets at home. That's a bad choice.

• Find out now if your veterinarian has boarding facilities or other arrangements for keeping animals, and make an appointment to inspect the kennel. Inquire about staff and security, too. If you are satisfied that the facilities are safe, arrange now to board your cat or dog in case of emergency. Update that reservation yearly. If a hurricane approaches, call to confirm the arrangements.

• Other options include taking your pet with you to a friend's or family member's house or to a hotel in a safe zone. Prearrange this to avoid surprise and confusion.

• Buy a pet carrier that is slightly larger than you actually need, in case the facility is full. Take along an extra bag of dry food with your pet's name on it, an extra bottle of water and any pet medicines.

• All pet boarding facilities require up-to-date vaccinations and proper identification.

• Bring all pets indoors before a storm approaches. Never leave a house pet outside or tied up during a storm.

• Make sure pets are wearing secure collars with ID and rabies tags. Keep current photos of your pets in case you are separated from them.

• If you keep your animals at home with you and don't have to evacuate, make sure you have at least a week's worth of pet food and enough medication on hand. Gather vaccination histories in case officials call for immunization information.

• Stock up on food, water and dishes. Have a familiar blanket or toy on hand for each animal.

• Aquarium owners may want to buy a battery-operated aerator or a small generator to run the air pump if electricity fails.

• Finally, read up on what you might need to treat wounds, shock or other injuries. After the storm, prevent your pets from roaming free. They could become lost or consume contaminated food or water.

• If you must leave your animals at home, put them in the most secure room, along with litter boxes, dry food and plenty of water. Separate the dogs from the cats. But remember, leaving your pets alone is an absolute last resort.

• If your pet is lost, call Miami-Dade's Answer Center at 305-468-5900 [TDD 305-368-5402] to obtain the phone number of agencies that find stray animals. In Broward, call the Animal Care and Regulation Division at 954-359-1313.

 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS


RUMOR CONTROL LINES

• Miami-Dade County Team Metro Answer Center: 305-468-5900**

• TTY/TDD: 305-468-5402**

• Broward County Customer Service 954-831-4000**

• Monroe County 1-800-955-5504

• Palm Beach County 561-712-6400

(** Becomes a 24-hour hot line during hurricanes and emergency situations only.)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICES

• Miami-Dade County Emergency Management 305-468-5400

• Broward County Emergency Management 954-831-3900

• Monroe County Emergency Management 305-289-6018

• Palm Beach County Emergency Management 561-712-6400

EMERGENCY EVACUATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

People requiring assistance with daily activities must register in advance.

• Miami-Dade County 305-513-7700

• TDD 305-468-5402

• Broward County 954-537-2888

• Monroe County 305-292-4591

• Palm Beach County 561-712-6400

UTILITY PROBLEMS

• FPL: Miami-Dade and Broward, 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)

BellSouth: Repair, 611; Customer Service (prior to the storm), 1-888-757-6500

TECO Peoples Gas: Miami-Dade and Broward, 1-877-832-6747

NUI City Gas: Miami-Dade, 305-691-8710; Elsewhere, 1-800-993-7546

AMERICAN RED CROSS

• Miami-Dade and Monroe counties 305-644-1200

• Homestead 305-248-2024

• Broward County 954-797-3800

• Monroe County (Upper Keys) 305-852-9612

(Middle and Lower Keys) 305-296-4033

• Palm Beach County 561-833-7711

GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES

• Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office 305-375-2901

• Broward County Building Permitting 954-765-4927

• Florida Department of Financial Services (formerly the Department of Insurance) 1-800-342-2762 or 1-800-227-8676

• Federal Emergency Management Agency 1-800-462-9029; TDD: 800-462-7585

 

A CHECKLIST


Gather these supplies now, while you have time, and periodically check perishables like medicines. Remember that dry food can go bad in humidity.

HARDWARE

If you already have these supplies, now is a good time to make sure they are still usable; you can cope without a chain saw or generator, but both are a big help after a big storm.

• Silicone caulking for bathtub drains. The caulk will not affect the taste of the water and cleans up easily. Just use a thick bead around the seams and it will pull away cleanly when dry.

• Manual can and bottle openers.

• Folding stove, oven mitts. Better to use a camp stove or grill; but don't use them indoors. In a pinch, you can use ''canned heat'' (Sterno, etc.) but it will only heat food; it won't cook it.

• A battery-operated radio and/or television. Extra batteries. A windup clock.

• Battery-operated lanterns and enough flashlights for each member of the family, plus extra batteries and bulbs. Candles and kerosene lights can cause fires and severe burns. If you must use candles, never leave one burning unattended.

• Duct tape.

• Lightweight fire extinguishers.

• A clothesline and clothespins.

• Chain saw, gassed up, oiled and ready.

• Generator. Know how to operate it safely.

HOUSEWARES

• Plastic trash bags with ties and large, sealable plastic bags. Use them to protect important documents and computer disks, furniture, clothing, blankets and pillows.

• Paper towels, plates, bowls, cups, detergent and plastic utensils.

• Toilet paper, premoistened towelettes and personal hygiene supplies like shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and tampons.

• Contact-lens solution, extra eyeglasses.

• Baby supplies such as baby food, diapers and formula.

• A mop and bucket.

• Film for ''before'' and ''after'' pictures.

• Plain chlorine bleach or tincture of iodine.

• Clean, empty containers for storing drinking water -- at least one gallon per person per day.

• Ice chests or coolers.

• Baking soda, to deodorize the refrigerator, freezer and ice chests.

• Lime, to sterilize garbage in case sanitation pickup is delayed.

• Pet supplies, such as cat litter, a scooper and any medicine.

FOOD

If the storm is severe, you may be without electricity. Keep your family's size in mind when planning. Many canned foods deteriorate rapidly once opened.

• Milk. Choose evaporated, dry powder or shelf-stable varieties.

• Canned foods like vegetables, soups, fish, meats, fruits and fruit juice.

• Peanut butter and jelly.

• Bread, crackers, cookies, other baked goods.

• Cereal and granola bars.

• Dried fruits, nuts.

• Cheese and cheese spreads.

• Bottled water.

• Vitamins.

• Instant drink mixes (coffee, tea, etc.).

• Pet food and bowls.

MISCELLANEOUS

• A road map of the vicinity.

• Medications, including birth-control pills. Keep copies of prescriptions.

• A first-aid kit, which might include gauze bandages, alcohol, aspirin, cotton *****, cough and diarrhea medicine, antiseptic ointment or spray for cuts, burn ointment or spray, ammonia inhalants, adhesive tape, scissors and tweezers.

• A change of clothing and footwear, and a blanket or sleeping bag for each person.

• Citronella candles and insect repellent.

• Sunscreen.

• Plenty of absorbent towels and rags.

• An air horn, available at marine supply stores. It makes a loud blast that can be heard for great distances.

• An airline crate for pets.

 

Get ready now -- and don't forget the comfort foods

Hurricane season is here, and that means it's time to pick up emergency provisions of nonperishable foods.

Be sure to stock foods your family likes. There's no sense buying things nobody will eat. Throw plenty of comfort foods into your shopping cart to remind you of normal times -- Oreo cookies, Cuban crackers, Little Debbies, Doritos, caramel corn, pretzels, etc.

Refer to the Checklist ( Page 14) for basic food and and other supplies.

Jackie Gibson, an agent with the University of Florida Miami-Dade Extension Service, recommends storing nonperishable food and water (about one gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking) supplies boxed and marked and in a cool place separate from regular pantry goods.


BOAT PREPARATION


Don't wait for a hurricane watch to relocate your craft. By then, it may be too late. Boaters need to conclude their relocations before a watch is issued.

• If you wait longer, and your plans include relocating the boat, drawbridges may be locked down. Bridges are locked down when an evacuation is ordered -- generally 24 hours before landfall -- but may be closed even earlier. For information about hurricane-related bridge openings or closings in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe, call the Coast Guard district operations center in Miami at 305-415-6730. After 5 p.m. call 1-800-874-7561.

• Boaters who plan to relocate upriver should rent space ahead of time, arrive before a watch is declared and not count on rafting up *****-nilly. By state law, owners of nontrailerable boats can't be forced to vacate marinas when a hurricane is approaching.

• Once evacuations have started off the barrier islands, Intracoastal Waterway drawbridges will only be opened infrequently until lockdown.

• Local marine law enforcement agencies will put out advisories to all mariners regarding when the bridges will be locked down, which will reduce the time you have to move your boat and may trap you. Monitor VHF channel 16 for those advisories.

• The Miami River cannot be used as a safe harbor location unless you have contracted for marina space.

• When moving your boat, add extra time for other boat traffic and deteriorating weather conditions.


Proper pruning will protect trees

Uprooted or broken trees can damage your home. But that damage can be minimized with correct pruning now.

Hurricanes are among nature's most awesome shows of force. Yet we know the season when they occur and are able to watch them arrive via satellite, so preparing for them can be done ahead of time.

Trees uprooted or broken by a hurricane may pose a serious threat to your home, but you can minimize the damage to your property as well as the trees by proper pruning now.

The reason a tree is toppled in a storm is because a canopy of thick growth acts like a sail when the wind slams it.

You have seen trees pruned to resemble an artist's rendering of the perfect green lollipop. This kind of growth occurs when the main limbs are cut back to the same length, stimulating the tree to react by producing lots of buds. The resulting new growth forms a canopy that is fat and bushy -- an easy mark for a hurricane.

If, however, the canopy is thinned to allow wind to rush through it rather than take it out, your odds of keeping the tree upright are far better.

Sometimes, however, this opening can be taken to extremes, and you are left with no interior branches, only long limbs with leaves only at the ends. Not only is that unattractive, it may let sunburn kill the bark and weaken or kill the branches. If the branches are young, the top-heavy load can lead to splitting in a storm.

Thinning the canopy to allow both light and wind to pass through is the smart way to prepare your trees.

The Cooperative Extension Service in your county has lists of arborists who have been certified by the state. While this does not guarantee good tree pruning, it is a place to begin to find a company that can properly thin your trees.

Make sure the company you hire is insured for everyone's protection.

Do this soon. Tree care should not be put off until the day before a storm hits. You will have your hands full making other preparations. You also will be left with debris you'll have to run to the dump so it won't blow around the neighborhood.

After pruning, keep up your regimen of fertilizing to make sure your trees are healthy.

Make a space in the garage where you can put lawn and pool accessories, orchids or other potted plants. Since this means some things will have to be discarded, start on this as soon as the trees have been pruned.

Next, make a list of things to do, buy and have on hand to help with clean-up. Keep these in an accessible location, not the outdoor shed that's likely to blow away. (See box for a list of supplies.)

When a storm comes within striking distance, it's time to take several final outdoor actions. These include removing fruit from trees if the fruits are large and able to cause damage as a projectile; turning plants in large containers on their side; removing shade cloth from a shade house to prevent it being torn away by wind; bringing in containerized plants; securing garbage cans, hoses, potting benches or other free-standing items such as light-weight statuary.

Think of these yard preparations as long-, medium- and short-range tasks, and go about them in an organized way.

Just as you can start stocking up on canned goods, water and batteries now, you can accomplish the outdoor tasks before the panic sets in.


DOCUMENT PREPARATIONS


Decide which important documents in your house can't be replaced. For these, consider getting a bank safety deposit box. A house vault -- embedded in the floor or wall -- is another alternative.

Gather originals and make copies of the following and take the originals with you if you must evacuate:

• Ownership documents, such as your warranty deed or car title.

• Bond and stock issues.

• Birth certificates.

• Many business documents, such as bank or insurance records, can be duplicated by the companies that issued them. The same for medical records and public records such as marriage certificates. It will, however, save you time and aggravation to safeguard them.

All information provided by The Miami Herald at their website (www.miami.com)!

 

Thank you!!!! Thank you!!!!

 

*Maps are courtesy of www.wsvn.com




**Maps are courtesy of www.weather.com