Natural Disasters
Hurricane | Earthquake | Evacuation | Avian Flu | Killer Bees
Hurricane
Whirling Dervishes Of Water And Wind Can Be Deadly For Queen
Hurricane Wilma brought torrential downpours to Queens this week. |
By Andrew Moesel
Some natural disasters are flashy. Earthquakes literally rattle the ground beneath our feet and the buildings around us. Tornadoes are like the finger of God pointing down from heaven.
Hurricanes, however, are a working man’s disaster. They slog up the coast slowly as though dragging a pair of heavy construction boots, and when they reach land, relentless winds and rain methodically pick apart everything in their path.
Tsunamis and tremors strike unexpectedly and often take more lives, but nothing causes more damage on such a widespread scale as a nasty hurricane. Anyone who has turned on a TV in last three months has been reminded of that.
New York may not get pounded as badly or as often as some Southern states, names such as Floyd, Isabel and Felix are stilling ringing in people’s ears.
What Can I Expect?
Hurricanes feed off warm water like a lion devour its prey. The tropical climate in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, therefore, provide a perfect nesting ground for these tropical storms to grow into Category 5 monsters.
Luckily for residents of New York, the water up north is much colder, making it virtually impossible for the storms to reach or sustain the power they gain nearer the equator. By the time it hits our state, most hurricanes have reduced to Category 1 or 2, blowing winds between 75-110 mph. Meteorologists predict that a Category 3 hurricane, with winds up to 130 mph, hits this region every 80 years.
There’s still reason to be concerned. New York City faces the highest risk of coastal storm flooding behind Miami and New Orleans, according to the New York Emergency Management Office. Several low-lying areas, such as the Rockaways and Long Island City, could experience storm surges that would cover a significant area with water.
The Official Response
If a hurricane becomes so threatening that the government believes people must leave certain neighborhoods, New York emergency officials have designed a two-stage evacuation plan. Residents will be asked to travel to one of 22 receiving centers scattered throughout the five boroughs. From there, buses will carry evacuees to shelters outside the city, mostly schools and universities sitting on higher ground.
The Fire Department will travel to nursing homes and hospitals to ensure the staff follows their evacuation plans, and state agencies will be responsible for taking care of homebound residents in their care.
The MTA will run special buses to take people to the receiving centers. Subways will also continue to run up until at least six hours before the storms makes landfall. Officials have encouraged residents to use mass transit as much as possible to avoid congestion on the roads.
What Can I Do?
Because hurricanes are more predictable than other natural disasters—city officials monitor potentially dangerous storms days in advance—the most important advise for residents is to be prepared.
The American Red Cross recommends every household possess an emergency kit containing a flashlight and batteries, a week’s supply of food and water, tools, cash, can opener, radio and other essentials.
Keep listening to news reports—even though we can see hurricanes coming, they often shift unexpectedly and move faster than expected. It will also be important to hear any emergency announcements from local, state and federal agencies.
Be aware of the coastal evacuation routes in your area and leave plenty of time to get where you need to go. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and some cash before you leave.
In New York, know which receiving center you are supposed to go to in case of an emergency evacuation. Figure out the fastest way to get there, and even practice drills with your family about mobilizing quickly.
Lastly, stay calm, stay inside and stay safe.
Top 5 New York Canes
1821: The only hurricane in modern times known to pass directly over parts of New York City pushed the tide up 13 feet in one hour and inundated wharves, causing the East River and the Hudson River to merge across lower Manhattan as far north as Canal Street. Deaths were limited since few lived there at the time.
1893: A category 1 hurricane destroyed Hog Island, a resort island off the Rockaways in southern Queens.
1960: Hurricane Donna created an 11-foot storm tide in the New York Harbor that caused extensive pier damage. Forced 300 families to evacuate Long Island.
1999: Floyd, weakened to a tropical storm, brought sustained 60 mph winds and dumped 10-15 inches of rain on upstate New Jersey and New York State.
2004: The remains of Hurricane Frances in September flooded city subways, stranding some passengers aboard trains that had to be stopped by flooded tracks.
- NYC OEM
Emergency Supply Checklist
Hurricane preparedness can be as easy and simple as making a trip to your local supermarket.
The following is a list of supplies you should keep in your home in case of emergency or disaster. Experts advise that you should keep enough supplies to survive on your own for at least three days.
Try to keep emergency supplies in a separate, easily accessible space, container, or cupboard that is clearly marked “For Emergency Only,” and check supplies regularly to replace those that become outdated (such as canned perishables, flour and batteries).
What To Keep In Your Home:
· One gallon of drinking water per person, per day.
· Non-perishable, ready-to-eat canned foods (include fruits and vegetables).
· At least one MANUAL can opener.
· First-Aid kit, prescription medications needed by family members, and over-the-counter medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, cough remedies, eyedrops, etc.)
· At least one flashlight, battery-powered AM/FM radio (or TV/radio), and EXTRA BATTERIES. Check expiration dates on batteries on a regular basis.
· Whistle
· Iodine tablets, or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water IF directed to do so by health officials, at least one eyedropper (for adding bleach to water).
· Personal hygiene items: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet tissue, deodorant, feminine hygiene supplies, disposable diapers, baby wipes, ointments, etc.
· Boots or “heavy” shoes, heavy gloves, warm clothes, a mylar blanket (or two), lightweight rain gear, warm socks.
· Extra fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors (and batteries).
· Several cell phones (with battery chargers).
· Child care supplies (baby food, formula, Vaseline, eyedropper, Tylenol, “finger food”), and other special-care items.
· Additional supplies and tools used or required by your family.
Items on this list will change according to your personal needs, but it is important to keep in mind that you may not be able to purchase items as soon as you are able to leave your home or shelter – so make a list and stock up, as necessary.
Hurricane | Earthquake | Evacuation | Avian Flu | Killer Bees
Earthquake
Trying To Get Your Footing On Uneven Ground
This chart shows some notable, recent seismic activity. |
By LIZ GOFF
In light of the recent devastating earthquake in Pakistan, many Queens residents are asking, “Can it happen here?”
Most people believe we have no need to worry about a Queens quake. Those people are not entirely correct.
Should we be worried? Probably not. Could it happen? You betcha.
Experts agree that greater New York City and Queens are vulnerable to the earth’s rattling rampage - and that we are totally unprepared for the consequences.
The epicenter of the most powerful earthquake ever to strike the New York City area was located off the Rockaway peninsula, and several minor tremors have shaken parts of the borough over the past few years, shattering windows, stopping clocks - and shaking startled residents.
Seismologists testifying before a 1989 Senate panel on disaster preparedness predicted that a “killer ‘quake” is likely to strike the east coast before 2010 - just five years from now.
What Can I Expect?
An earthquake is caused when pressure builds between the tectonic plates that make up the top layer of the Earth’s crust. The ever-shifting plates will push off against each other with just a bit of pressure for decades or even centuries without anyone noticing - until one day when one finally shoves the other - and the ground shifts.
When this happens, ripples of energy flow through the ground, causing the tremors that shake buildings, rattle bridges and blow out windows. The intensity and duration of the ripples determines the strength and destructive power of the earthquake.
Many Queens neighborhoods are built on landfill, areas defined by experts as the most likely to suffer “violent tremors” during an earthquake.
In his best-selling novel, “Aftershock,” which chronicles events surrounding a great ‘quake in New York City, NBC News Anchorman Chuck Scarborough said one- and two-story brick and cement block buildings would be most vulnerable in an earthquake. “Look around,” FDNY sources said. “See if you can count high enough to determine how many buildings were, and are still being built that way in Queens.”
Scarborough said, “Earthquakes don’t kill people. It’s man-made structures you happen to be in, or under, that collapse and kill you.”
In his book, Scarborough describes a process of “liquification,” in which a mix of landfill and sedimentary materials perform as a liquid instead of solid material, causing extreme damage to standing structures. When the land starts to quiver and quake, the foundations of structures built on landfill have nowhere to go, Scarborough said. “They simply sink into the ground.”
Queens structures built on landfill include Shea Stadium, buildings and structures throughout Flushing Meadows Corona Park, housing developments, private housing and commercial structures from Long Island City to the Rockaways, LaGuardia and JFK Airports, bridges, and elevated subway lines throughout the borough. FDNY officials said.
“The damage, loss of life and catastrophic events that would be caused by a major earthquake in Queens are unimaginable,” FDNY officials said.
The Official Response
We are “as ready as we can be,” said officials at the City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the agency charged with deciding how to cope and recover from a catastrophic disaster within the five boroughs.
Police and Fire officials agreed with OEM think-tank members, who said finding the best place to wait-out a quake isn’t second nature to most Queens residents. “It’s not like we wake up in the morning, wondering if this is the day,” officials said.
Experts said most loss of life in an earthquake is the result of people being trapped inside collapsed structures.
FDNY officials said a major earthquake would send an overwhelming number of casualties to Queens hospitals “within minutes,” often to hospital buildings that have been severely damaged by the ‘quake.
“This is something doctors and nurses train for,” said a spokesperson for the City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation. “It’s a whole new world out there,” the spokesperson said. “We have to be prepared for any catastrophe, including a hurricane, earthquake, or terrorist attack.”
What Can I Do?
Actually, not much.
The truth is, earthquakes are perhaps the single most powerful force on Earth, and when one pops up there is not a single thing you can do to stop it. You just have to wait it out.
The best way to do that is staying as low to the ground as possible. If you are indoors, it is advised that you stay in a doorway, as it has slightly more support that other interior or exterior walls in your house.
If you are outside, you could be knocked to the ground easily by the quake. Stay there. As long as you are in a spot where nothing is going to fall on you, you should be safe.
Fire officials said most people believe the best way to cope with a major earthquake is to “crouch down and cover your head.” But before you take cover behind the sofa, you have to quickly check your surroundings to make sure you are not in the path of possible flying objects, or underneath a ceiling fan that could come crashing down at the first rattle,” FDNY officials said.
Top 5 Quake Flicks
Earthquake (1974): In this all-star hit starring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner, the lives of a dozen people in Los Angles intersect as a killer quake (that lasts for minutes on the screen) brings death and destruction to the West Coast.
The Night The World Exploded (1957): This low-budget wonder starring Kathryn Grant and William Leslie focuses around a seismologist who has developed a machines that can predict earthquakes as the West Coast gets rattled by an “epidemic” of tremors.
Our Man Flint (1966): Flint, played by James Coburn, searches out the mad scientists who want to remake the world after taking over with the aid of their earthquake machine.
Superman (1978): When evil villain Lex Luthor plans to pull off the greatest real estate swindle in history by using a nuclear missile to set off a killer quake, it is up to Superman (Christopher Reeve) to save the day.
Volcano (1997): After an earthquake hits downtown Los Angeles in the Tommy Lee Jones chees-fest, a new hole pops open in the Earth’s crust causing the instant formation of a giant volcano in the middle of downtown L.A.
Quake Tips
· Drop to the floor
· Take cover under a piece of “solid” furniture, or next to an interior wall.
· Cover your head and neck with your arms
· Hang on to a sturdy piece of furniture - and be ready to move with it
· Stay in one place until the shaking stops
· Move away carefully, and do not attempt to walk outdoors until you are able to determine the damage to streets and structures
· If you decide to leave your home or apartment, know where you are going, and how you plan to get there
Hurricane | Earthquake | Evacuation | Avian Flu | Killer Bees
Gimme Shelter
Churches, Schools And Libraries Provide Shelter From The Storm
Hurricane Wilma brought torrential downpours to Queens this week. |
By Liz Goff
It may be necessary, during certain disaster conditions, to evacuate from your home or neighborhood. City officials will tell you when to evacuate through the media and/or direct contact, when the process is necessary as a last resort.
Evacuate immediately when you are directed to do so by an emergency official or are in immediate danger.
You should be prepared to evacuate if there is time. Be sure to secure your home, close and lock windows and doors and unplug appliances before you leave. You will be advised if it is necessary to turn off utilities.
When you leave, wear sturdy shoes and comfortable, protective clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
It is also necessary for you to be aware of evacuation plans for your workplace, school, your child’s school or day care facility. Remember that evacuation plans change, based on the type of emergency, so stay tuned to local news broadcasts, call 311, or go to the NYC Web site at www.nyc.gov for new information.
Nowhere To Go
There are times when evacuation to shelters is neither appropriate or possible, and you may be asked to stay where you are.
“Sheltering-In-Place” is an effective way to protect yourself and others in emergencies involving contaminated air, but you should only do so if directed by emergency officials.
If you are asked to Shelter-In-Place, go inside your home or the nearest appropriate facility (school, library, etc.) and take shelter in a room that has few doors or windows – a room that will allow at least 10 square feet per person.
To make yourself as safe of possible, seal all doors and windows, turn off all ventilation systems, stay off the phone so it is available to receive emergency calls and stay tuned to your radio or television for emergency information and updates.
Seeking Shelter
Some emergencies may require that you leave your home and travel to an emergency shelter.
The city has compiled a list of shelter sites appropriate for various types of disasters. Local officials will inform you when sheltering is necessary. If you can, try to seek shelter with friends or relatives outside the affected area.
Evacuation shelters can be established at schools, municipal buildings and houses of worship. They provide basic food and water, so if possible bring clothing, bedding, bathing and sanitary supplies, special food and pre-filled prescriptions and other medications.
Alcoholic beverages, firearms and illegal substances are not allowed in emergency shelters.
And be sure to take your “Go-Bag” with you.
Get Your Go Bag
There should be one bag for each family member – preferably packed in a sturdy, easy to carry container, backpack, or suitcase on wheels.
Go Bags should be kept in an easily accessible location, and should be filled with items needed for seasonal changes including:
· Copies of important documents, including insurance records, birth certificates, social security and tax information, deeds, photo ID, passports, bank books, proof of address, etc., in a waterproof and portable container
· Extra set of car and house keys.
· Credit and ATM cards, cash (at least $150 in small bills).
· Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars.
· Flashlight, battery-operated AM/FM radio (and extra batteries).
· Medication for at least one week, and other essential personal items.
· First Aid kit.
· Comfortable, sturdy shoes, lightweight raingear, and a mylar blanket.
· List contact and meeting information for your family members, and include a regional map.
•Child care supplies or other special needs items.
Hurricane | Earthquake | Evacuation | Avian Flu | Killer Bees
Avian Flu
This Deadly Killer Is No Longer Just For The Birds
By Andrew Moesel
For most people, the word “flu” conjures memories of mild nausea, dizzy-headedness, an occasional trip to the toilet bowl and maybe missing a day or two of work. But many scientists and health experts now cringe when the topic comes up, fearing a new and potentially lethal strain that could cause a pandemic that could kill millions.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, a virus usually found in wild waterfowl, chickens and turkeys, recently has been spreading at an alarming rate in Asia and has been showing itself in other parts of the globe. While to-date only a small number of people have died from the disease, some say it’s only a matter of time before the avian flu starts racking up a terrifying body count.
“Even if a flu outbreak doesn’t happen in the next few weeks or months, there will be a pandemic,” Michael Osterholm, bird flu expert and associate director of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Center for Food Protection and Defense, said at a briefing at the National Press Club, Knight-Ridder reported. “It’s like a gigantic dinosaur in our kitchen. It scares the hell out of me. I lie awake at night.”
What Can I Expect?
Birds have carried this virus for centuries, with apparently little harm to the population, but in recent years two strains have mutated into a highly lethal pathogenic form. Starting in 1997 outside Hong Kong, thousands of birds began to die from the disease. It resurfaced in December 2003 and spread to 11 countries, infecting humans in four of them (Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand).
Human infection usually occurs as a result of contact with bird feces or uncooked body parts. More than half of the people who contracted the virus have died.
Although the disease currently cannot be transmitted between humans, experts believe the virus will eventually evolve into a strain that can. Once that happens, the avian flu could kill up to 50 million people without proper preparation, experts predict.
Instead of exhibiting symptoms immediately, those infected can carry the disease for up to a week without feeling sick, yet they are still able to pass the virus on to others. That delay makes quarantining possible patients virtually impossible.
After the onset of illness, the disease works quickly, causing pneumonia and multiple-organ failure sometimes within 48 hours.
The Official Response
Health officials are trying to cut the disease off at its source, pressuring Asian governments to kill off portions of the live poultry populations before the birds have a chance to breed more viruses. Some governments, like China, are insisting on stricter regulations on people handing poultry, such as rubber gloves and facemasks.
That strategy has run into trouble, however, as many rural citizens are unwilling to change their lifestyle or destroy livestock that often provide their livelihood.
Several clinical trials are attempting to develop a vaccine that could prevent a pandemic virus. No such vaccine currently exists
Western countries, such as the United States, are considering stockpiling anti-viral drugs and neurological inhibitors that could treat the avian flu. The extent to which these medications can cure the flu is still being researched.
What Can I Do?
Try to avoid contact with live poultry and waterfowl. If you regularly purchase live chickens or other game for consumption – for instance, at one of the many markets in Flushing and Southeast Queens – be careful to keep your skin protected and mouth covered at all times.
No direct evidence exists proving that consuming a formerly infected bird or its eggs, once cooked, spreads the disease.
If a pandemic of avian flu among humans hits your neighborhood, see a doctor and get the hell out of there.
Hurricane | Earthquake | Evacuation | Avian Flu | Killer Bees
Killer Bees
Catch The Buzz On This Creepy Killer
By Liz Goff
It may sound like science fiction, but it’s all-too true. Killer Bees have arrived on our shores. Smart, sophisticated, angry, Killer Bees. Coming soon to a neighborhood near yours.
Experts predict that Killer Bees are on their way to the East Coast of the United States – and that they will arrive in the metropolitan area within the next 3-5 years.
Killer Bees, known in scientific circles as Africanized Honey Bees, are descendants of South African bees imported in 1956 by a Brazilian scientist who hoped to breed a “better honey bee.”
Some of the original bees escaped quarantine in 1957 and began breeding with local bees. The Killer Bees quickly multiplied - and migrated to other countries at a rate greater than 200 miles per year, first reaching U.S. shores about 10 years ago.
Bee Aware
Killer Bees will viciously attack people and animals who unknowingly stray into their territory, resulting in serious injury or death. You don’t have to destroy the hive to initiate an attack by Killer Bees. They have been known to attack in response to vibrations from vehicles, equipment – even people walking.
Venom released by Killer Bees is no more potent than that of regular honey bees, but Killer Bees attack in much greater numbers – and hunt their victims for much greater distances.
Once disturbed, Killer Bees remain angry for 24 hours – attacking people and animals within a range of a quarter-mile from the hive. Killer Bees could care less where they nest. They set up house in hollow trees, walls, on porches, attics, utility sheds, garbage containers and abandoned vehicles and they swarm more than regular honey bees.
How To Survive
As with other flying, stinging insects, the best idea is to be alert.
Killer Bees sting to defend their colony. Watch for them coming in and out of an opening, a crack in a wall, a hole in a utility box; listen for the hum of an active bee colony; look for bee holes in the ground, in trees and in sheds; and be careful moving items that have been lying around for a while.
If you find a swarm or hive, leave it alone. Keep pets away, and call a pest control company or local beekeeper for help.
Bees target the head. In nearly all serious sting incidents by killer bees, victims are overcome by head and face stings. The best way to escape is to cover the head – and run for cover. Grab a towel, blanket, coat – anything that will give you momentary refuge while you seek cover in a house or car. Once inside, shut doors and windows and make sure there is no entry point for the bees to reach you.
Pull your shirt over your face. Stings on the stomach and chest are less serious.
Contrary to popular belief, you should not jump into water – bees will wait for you to come up for air.
If you are stung, and symptoms include more than “normal” pain and swelling, seek medical attention immediately.
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