A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. Parts of the Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast also experience heavy rains and floods each year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.
Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. - Kelly Meloche, AMERIND Risk Emergency Management Specialist, says, “You should always plan for the worst and hope for the best. Failure to plan is planning to fail. When the county and the regions give hurricane evacuation warnings heed to the warnings and evacuate." Kellyann has 20 years’ experience working in the public safety/emergency services field and stresses, “knowing what to do before, during and after a hurricane will save lives.”
Preparedness
Measures can be taken to prepare for a hurricane, such as building an emergency kit, learning the elevation level of your property and knowing your surroundings. If a hurricane is likely to occur in your area, you should listen to the news for information, secure your home and turn off utilities and propane tanks if instructed to do so. After a hurricane use your family communication plan to help you find family or contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS/1-800-733-2767 or visit the American Red Cross Safe and Well site: www.safeandwell.org ◦The American Red Cross also maintains a database to help you find family. Contact the local American Red Cross chapter where you are staying for information. Do not contact the chapter in the disaster area. Read more on preparedness, before, during and after a hurricane. http://www.amerindrisk.org/images/Hurrican%20Preparedness.pdf
For more information visit the FEMA hurricane preparedness website at www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
AMERIND Risk was founded almost 30 years ago by more than 400 Tribes. They pooled their resources to create affordable and sustainable insurance products and services for Indian Country- to keep money circulating in Indian Country. AMERIND Risk provides property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance for tribes, tribal governments, businesses and individual property coverage. The 28th Annual AMERIND Risk Conference & Trade Fair, September 16-18, 2014 will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton Portland, Portland, OR. Please visit www.AMERINDRisk.org for more information. AMERIND Risk is the only 100% Tribally owned and operated insurance provider in Indian Country- Tribes Protecting Tribes.
