“Hurricane”- Party or Preparation?
The term, "hurricane", is more prevalent among Florida residents yet it continues to bring on a wide-array of approaches when initially preparing for a hurricane. The way a child reacts when he or she realizes school has been cancelled due to a blizzard, is similar to the way some Floridians react when there is an approaching hurricane. While a child has snow days filled with sledding and hot chocolate by the fireplace, a hurricane gives Floridians the excuse to raid a fully-stocked fridge of alcohol and foods that would otherwise spoil. Many Floridians enjoy this as a way to pass through a hurricane with friends and while there is nothing wrong with enjoying unexpected days off of work and school, immediate preparation action needs to be taken for the life threatening conditions that accompany these "free days”. As evidenced by “The most damage-causing …show more content…
A category one hurricane has wind speeds from seventy-four to ninety-five miles per hour, which can cause damage to buildings and uproot trees (Saffir Simpson). To protect your home from wind damage you will need to install window shutters, that are generally made of aluminum. These can serve as a permanent attachment above your window, but are normally costly. For a cheaper and last minute option, boarding the windows with plywood has also shown to be effective (Knowles 111 et al., 1). Plywood hurricane shutters can be installed by, first, cutting the plywood to fit snugly in the window frame (Knowles 111 et al., 1). Next, use metal bolts to attach the wood to the inside of the window (Knowles 111 et al., 1). Be sure to purchase exterior plywood and waterproof the shutters with a sealant or paint to add a stronger level of protection. (Knowles 111 et al., 2) Not only can plywood shutters be reused for future hurricanes but, they also protect your home from flying