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He does not have one of those dreaded
“F” names – Fran, Floyd – but Ernesto
could provide his own disaster of
drenching rain and flooding Thursday and
Friday if he meets the cold front
expected from the north at the same
time. Predictions are for 3 to 6 inches
of rain locally.
The Town of Wake Forest is
making preparations and is warning its
residents to do the same.
The town’s preparations
include clearing debris from culverts
and storm drains to limit the potential
for flooding. Equipment for the electric
and streets departments will be fueled
and stocked with emergency supplies.
For residents, they are
urged to do the following:
-- Move vehicles, boats and
trailers into areas away from trees and
power lines and fill the vehicles with
fuel.
-- Charge cell phones.
-- Make sure pets and
animals have a safe, dry place with food
and water for three days.
-- Remind yourself not to
drive through water on a roadway or in a
parking lot. Though it may look calm,
such water can have a strong current
that will float a vehicle and carry it
away.
-- Assemble a disaster
supply kit with at least a three-day
supply of bottled water, nonperishable
food, first aid supplies, prescription
medicines, a battery-operated radio,
copies of insurance papers and extra
cash.
-- Prepare for a power
outage by checking flashlights,
batteries and battery-powered radios. To
report a power outage if you are served
by the town’s electric system, call
554-6120 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on
weekdays, 554-6724 at all other times.
-- People served by the Wake
Forest water system should not be
concerned about an interruption because
the treatment plants have backup
generators in the event of a power
outage. However, people who use wells,
either private or community, should
stock at least a gallon of water per
person per day.
-- Buy and store plywood,
plastic and nails you would need to
protect your home.
-- Check your house for
problems. Make sure gutters and spouts
are secure, that there are no loose
tiles, shingles or debris on the roof,
and that trees and shrubs around the
house are trimmed. Secure loose items –
garbage cans, lawn furniture, plants –
or take them inside.
-- Gather insurance policies
and other important documents and store
them in a safe, dry place. Experts
recommend making an inventory of your
property, on videotape if possible, and
store it with the documents. You might
also want to send copies to relatives
out of the area.
-- Post emergency numbers
near your telephone. Do not call 911
unless there is a true emergency. Teach
your children how to make long distance
telephone calls and when to call 911.
-- Anyone living in
low-lying, flood-prone areas should be
prepared to evacuate. They should call
on friends or families members who live
in safer areas and arrange to stay with
them. Know the evacuation routes, plan
to leave in sufficient time to get to a
safe place, and review these plans with
your family.
There are no public shelters
in the Wake Forest area. |
