How can I make a hurricane resistant house with limited materials?

For school I have to make a hurricane resistant house out of 2 pieces of construction paper and 4 straws. Does anybody have any ideas on a design for a house or how to use the straws correctly to support the house so the house doesn’t fall apart? (The hurricane will be a leaf blower)

Thank you!

Hurricane Gustav Recovery

Swollen rivers know no boundaries. When the snow begins to melt or heavy rains begin to fall, rivers flow, often with a vengeance. Along the border states, floodwaters go where gravity takes them and now, the Dryout Network is set to follow. Dryout is a US-based network of water damage restoration professionals that is rapidly expanding.

“We’re excited to be able to offer assistance to Hurricane Gustav Recovery,” Mark Decherd, president of Dryout Inc. said. “We have the infrastructure in place to rapidly dispatch a water damage professional no matter where flood damage occurs in the United States and are poised to do the same in flood zones.”

Flood weary Americans and US homeowners suffering from plumbing mishaps have long relied on the Dryout Network for water damage restoration, mold remediation, emergency water extraction, and related services. An innovative Internet claims form instantly routes the customer’s claim to a local Dryout affiliate who then handles the entire job. This system ensures prompt, emergency service at the local level. Meanwhile, all Dryout affiliates are bound to provide quality service and conform to the standards of excellence that Dryout has built its reputation upon.

The Gulf Coast is no stranger to flood disasters. According to the Geological Survey, flood events are of disastrous proportions. In New Orleans, over 65% of disastrous floods result from levee breach and hurricanes pose a significant risk of flooding.

However, while flood disasters are dramatic and catastrophic, minor flooding such as from burst pipes or toppled water heaters, also cause a great deal of water damage. It only takes about an inch of water to require professional water extraction and restoration services.

“This expansion into Hurricane Gustav Recovery,” Decherd added, “is a major milestone for us. We are ready to serve.”

What do you all think about how some of the people behaved during the hurricane Ike?

I seen many rude people cut in the street, when the street lights were out. Also, getting gas common courtesy people, have we become so barbaric that we cannot wait our turn? What is your thought on the matter? Buy water all the time, not only when you hear of a hurricane or any bad weather that may comes our way.

Why do people always wait until the last minute to buy emergency supplies for a hurricane?

Perfect Conditions Make for Perfect Storms – How Hurricanes Form

If you’ve ever wondered why hurricanes arrive like clockwork during “hurricane season,” it’s because conditions are just right. With the warm waters of late summer, low pressure systems, and other conditions in place, hurricanes are born.

Hurricanes start out as low pressure weather systems over Africa and emerge as tropical disturbances over the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean during the late summer and early fall. The moisture and warmth energize these low pressure disturbances, creating thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms dissipate and that’s the end of the story. However, many pickup strength and wind speed. When these storm systems continue developing and winds have reached 40 miles per hour, they are then designated as tropical storms and given a name from the National Hurricane Center.

Once a storm is named, it isn’t necessary destined to become a full-blown hurricane. In fact, many tropical storms fizzle out. Others intensify, continuing to drawn energy from the warm, moist waters below while venting cooler, dry air out above. Energy and heat is released and strong winds form. Meanwhile the center of the storm heats up due to the release of energy and water vapor, causing an air pressure drop and stronger, more intense winds in the core. This creates a cycle of more heat, continued low pressure, and stronger winds.

Finally, if the winds reach 74 miles per hour, the named tropical storm becomes a Category One hurricane. Hurricanes can vary in strength, moving up and down the Saffir-Simpson scale as they lose or gain intensity. For example, when hurricanes reach land, they quickly weaken because they are no longer fueled by warm waters. However, many move over the land, back to open waters where they quickly regain their lost strength.

Category One hurricanes are the least destructive with winds ranging from 74-95 miles per hour. Downed trees, damaged bushes, and damaged mobile homes are typical victims of Category One hurricanes.

Category Two hurricanes have winds ranging in speed from 96-110 miles per hour and typically bring storm surges of 6-8 feet above normal. Category Three hurricanes feature winds from 111-130 miles per hour and 9-12 foot storm surges. Category Four hurricanes are characterized by wind speeds of 13-155 miles per hour and storm surges of 13-18 feet above normal. Finally, Category Five hurricanes have winds in excess of 156 miles per hour and storm surges above 18 feet.

Obviously, as hurricanes work their way up the scale with stronger winds and larger storm surges, the potential for damage increases dramatically. Only a few category five hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. However, lower rated hurricanes can wreak havoc when conditions are right. Hurricane Katrina, the most devastating hurricane to hit the United States, made landfall as a Category Three hurricane.

While hurricanes are destructive as far as man and civilization are concerned, they do have beneficial qualities. One, they provide up to a quarter of the annual rainfall in the southern states and may even play a vital role in maintaining the Earth’s heat balance – moving heat from the tropical regions to the poles. Hurricanes have a long term positive effect on marshes and coastal wetlands as well with storm surges adding critical nutrients and sediment to these fragile lands. Under the sea, coral benefits from hurricanes as well. For example, cooler waters move to the surface, counteracting the “bleaching” effect of warm waters. In addition, some species of coral, such as elkhorn coral, break off of reefs and reattach elsewhere, forming a new reef. Though capable of extreme destruction, hurricanes help build up barrier islands which in turn provide the first line of defense against the hurricane’s fury.

Warm ocean waters coupled with tropical disturbances and low pressure systems each summer and fall provide the perfect conditions for a hurricane to form. Whether a tropical depression progresses to a tropical storm or a hurricane depends on the conditions at the time. As summer approaches fall, these conditions are perfect for a storm.

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Dryout® Inc.

1415 Colonial Blvd.

Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

Mr. Mark Decherd

http://www.dryout.net

239-437-7100

Water Damage

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water and fire damage repair services by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

The Red Cross and XM Team up for Hurricane Victims

XM satellite radio and the American Red Cross teamed up to give the workers and relief help for Hurricane Katrina a source for national radio coverage. Red Cross staff and volunteers along the Gulf Coast now have access to the channel, which is a 24-hour, nationwide XM channel to provide help and information for Hurricane Katrina victims and other Red Cross workers across the country.

XM Channel 248 -dubbed the Red Cross Radio is now available on XM Satellite Radio from the west coast to the east coast. All XM receivers, portable, at home or in your car can now listen to the channel for updates and news. As part of the partnership, XM has donated radios to the Red Cross and relief workers so that they may stay up-to-date on a the relief effort. “In addition to Red Cross Radio, XM offers the XM Emergency Alert Channel (XM Channel 247), which tracked the hurricane’s progress and now provides updates on clean-up, road closures, school closings, and other information from federal and local governments, law enforcement, and other agencies.” - (XM satellite radio) XM Radio is proud to have the Red Cross channel, which it is using to send out information and announcements to workers across the region. The portability and national coverage of the station allows all workers and all of those involved to be on the same wave length. Support for Red Cross efforts is being heard all across the country and the XM radio channel has played a large part in this relief effort

Protect Storm Windows With Hurricane Shutters

Most people never give hurricane shutters a second thought (much less a first thought). Given the recent history of disastrous hurricanes, not to mention the extensive damage that ensued, it makes sense to at least consider them if you live in a geographic region where hurricanes are a very real possibility.

These types of shutters are easy to install yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it. They offer protection against the high winds that break windows and cause property damage. Since storm windows are the weaker areas of a home structure, they need the extra protection that these shutters can provide.

The best shutters for you are the ones that fit your needs. If they weren’t installed during the home building process, they’re easy to install later. If you’re on a budget, you can make simple shades from plywood. These are not optimal, but they can work in a pinch. They consist of a simple piece of plywood, with brackets that secure them to a window frame. If you’re unable to manage the opening and closing of the shutters, you can get accordion type shutters or those with an automatic closing mechanism. Generally, the best type would be the ones constructed of steel panels. These offer better protection than plywood, for instance, but they’re considerably more expensive.

Installing the storm panels of a steel shutter requires the installation of c-shaped tracks around the window that the panels slide into. The great feature is the protection they provide. A con is that they need to be stored when they’re not in use. Accordion shutters are permanently installed on the window, and store right next to the window, when it’s not in use. Some shutters roll down over the window, and store in an boxed enclosure above the window when they’re not being used.

When a hurricane strikes, it does not discriminate. It sends debris flying everywhere, across entire towns, which usually breaks windows and inflicts devastating property damage on everything in its path. Once windows are broken, a structure becomes pressurized. Once the pressure rises inside, from the wind blowing through it, the outside wind rushes over the top of the house, and creates a suction which can tear the roof off a home. Generally, after this point, the structure collapses completely.

Whatever your choice, once you have shutters installed, you’ll have that added comfort and security that comes with knowing that you’ve taken steps to protect your home from possible future damage.

Hurricane Chris featuring The Game, Lil Boosie, Baby, E-40, Angie Locc of Lava House Jadakiss - A Bay Bay (The Ratchet Remix)

The Hurricane Trailer

A Trailer of the Hurricane starring Denzel Washington

Is it safe to live in a trailer during a Hurricane ?

Hurricane Proof Windows Are A Good Idea

Hurricane windows offer your family protection from a potentially dangerous situation if a high-grade hurricane ever comes to your town. They were developed after the 1992 Hurricane Andrew, which devastated South Florida. You can protect your home from debris and winds with hurricane windows. If you want the best in storm protection then you should upgrade to hurricane proof windows.

Reasons To Buy Hurricane Windows

Protecting your house from water damage or wind damage during a major storm is one of the best reasons to upgrade to hurricane windows, but there are other reasons as well. Broken windows cause major damage in and of themselves and when flying debris breaks a window, which can cause high-pressure air to come inside your house. This high-pressure air can then blow out more windows or even lift off your rooftop.

Many times people try to protect their homes with shutters or use plywood to board up their windows each and every year. You expend a lot of time and money by boarding up your home every time a storm approaches. You don’t need to waste time and money over and over when you install hurricane windows to protect you. You will be ready all the time and if you need to evacuate you can leave your home and focus on your personal safety.

You are also given extra protection from potential burglary when you use this kind of window. They are very difficult to break into because of the durability as well as their construction and attachment to your house. Many times you can even get a break on homeowner’s insurance if you have these kinds of windows. Ring your agent to see if you would be eligible for this type of discount.

You can also protect your family and property from UV rays with these windows. UV rays will fade your drapes and furniture. You will also experience less noise pollution as a result of these windows.

Durability of Hurricane Windows

Two layers of laminated glass are put together with a piece of plastic film that is in between the glass to create a hurricane window. Even if the glass shatters this plastic will stay there and keep rain and window from coming inside your house.

To make sure your hurricane windows are effective they go through impact tests to make sure they can withstand both a small or large impact. These are akin to debris hitting your window during a storm.

Your hurricane windows can hold out against winds of 130 mph, as well as any debris which may be traveling this fast. You can also buy a hurricane window for your skylights or your patio doors to make sure your entire house is made safe.

Professional installation is key for your protection with this product so make sure to hire the right hands!

Preparing for a Hurricane - 4 Tips That Save Lives

During hurricane season, which in the United States stretches from June through November, homes in coastal communities all along the Southeast try to prepare for the threat of these terrible storms. The first concern of any homeowner is how to prepare your home for the maximum safety of your family. In this article, we’ll explore four basic tips that will help you get ready for the potential onslaught of a hurricane or tropical storm.

Tip #1: Prepare an Emergency Kit

A well stocked emergency kit is a valuable tool that can save lives in the event of a hurricane. Your emergency kit should be stored in an easily accessible location and in a watertight container. The most critical items in any emergency kit are first aid supplies, essential medicines, flashlight, handheld radio, extra batteries, emergency phone numbers, cash and credit cards, extra keys to your home and vehicles, insurance cards and policy information, and a hand crank cell phone charger. Some other items that you might want to store with your emergency kit would be canned food and a can opener, a supply of bottled water, blankets, seasonal clothing, toilet paper, hand sanitizing gel, and diapers and canned formula if you have an infant in your home. Also, it’s important to remember to refresh your emergency kit on a regular basis to be sure any perishable items haven’t expired.

Tip #2: Have an Emergency Action Plan

When a hurricane strikes, will your family know what to do? Have a plan of action in place, and be sure that every family member knows where to go and what to do when they get there. Your emergency action plan should cover each family member’s roles and responsibilities, what to do if you have to evacuate, as well as plans for your pets.

Rehearse the plan with younger children so that they won’t forget the most important details. And last but not least, give a copy of your plan to nearby relatives or a neighbor, so they will know where you are and how to contact you in.

Tip #3: Stay Informed

Knowledge can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. When you do know that a storm could be heading your way, stay informed by watching local news broadcasts or listening to the radio. Many types of media are also now offering free texting services, where you can sign up to receive text messages about important news and weather events in your area, making it easier to stay informed when you’re on the go.

Tip #4: Do As You’re Told

Last but not least, in the event of a hurricane it is absolutely imperative that everyone follows the advice of law enforcement and government agencies, even if that advice is to evacuate. The last thing anyone wants to do is leave their home, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

While these four tips may seem simple, it’s amazing how many people living in hurricane prone areas don’t take such basic steps to protect themselves and their families. With a little time and forethought, it is possible to be well prepared for the possibility of a hurricane. Remember, advance preparation is the key to saving lives, and when you consider that your family’s well being is at stake, nothing is more important.

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