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OMG! It’s TSE!

Social sharing during hurricane season

I’ve always found living in the South comforting, but we have some downsides, too: hurricanes, for one. As I started typing this blog, we in coastal Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas had been watching the approach of the first named storm to threaten the East Coast this year – Tropical Storm Emily. Suddenly on Thursday, the 4th, Emily fizzled over Hispaniola’s mountains with only slight chance of reformation.

But that first storm-watching experience of 2011 really turned a page for me. Not only was I inundated by television and web news and weather reports on Emily’s status, but I also experienced a flood of Facebook updates. One friend posted links to National Weather Service maps each time the federal agency updated its forecast. Another friend added a running commentary: She’s moving east. She has wobbled west. She’s stationary.

Can I get an OMG?

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I’ve always sensed the collective community of people around me doing the same things I do during hurricane season, but social networking adds the element of real-time communication with a broad, diverse group of acquaintances. For me, Facebook quickly became a one-stop shop for Emily reports, and a place where everyone could discuss their fears.

Is this really good for us? Fear can grow to a fever pitch quickly in a crowd. And while a healthy fear of hurricanes is good, a frantic fear could easily become hurtful.

If such networking develops proper respect for the elements, perhaps that will result in better preparedness (although I did not see posted links to helpful storm-prep guides on FB). Quite honestly, if you’re not ready right now – especially if you’re a boat owner – you may soon find yourself in a mad rush and facing potential damage. Even though Emily failed to tag us, we have two months of the most intensive storm activity to navigate before the season slows.

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So, if you don’t already have plans and backups in place, here are six basic questions to ask yourself and a support link for boaters. Hmm, perhaps I’ll post this on Facebook.

  1. Where should my family members (and pets) go and when?
  2. Where will I leave my boat and when do I need to move it?
  3. What possessions would I take with me if I knew my property would not be spared?
  4. What physical protections – shutters, boards, etc. – do I have for my house?
  5. Is my property properly covered by insurance?
  6. What provisions have I made for clean up and for life after a hurricane?

The last question should take into account supplies and gear needed to live in a house without electricity and water for a number of days or weeks. So, if you’ve blown off hurricane prep so far, commit to doing it now. Here’s a place to start: www.boatus.com/hurricanes.

Vive le Sud!

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