Current:Home > Markets3 easy mistakes can be deadly after a hurricane: What to know -Prime Money Path
3 easy mistakes can be deadly after a hurricane: What to know
View
Date:2025-04-17 07:07:03
The deadly effects of Hurricane Helene have left lingering dangers even in areas where the rain has stopped falling.
The storm has brought over 2 feet of rain in some locations, and even pushed a Tennessee dam to the brink of catastrophic failure Saturday two days after the storm made landfall as a category 4 hurricane in Florida. Dozens have died in the hurricane’s wake, including those far away from the Gulf of Mexico.
With flooded roads to widespread power outages, residents face imminent risks as days of cleanup lie ahead. Here are three important tips for staying safe after a major storm.
Mistake 1: Driving into floodwaters
Never drive through flood water or go around barriers, officials in North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County, which contains Charlotte, warned in a social media post.
Put more simply, the post said, “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Most deaths in flooding occur in cars, the National Weather Service said. Even a foot of water can sweep a car off the road.
In western North Carolina, officials have conducted over 130 water rescues, the Asheville Citizen Times reported. All roads in the region should be considered closed, and interstate freeways are impassible in multiple locations. Over 400 roads are still closed across North Carolina, state transportation officials announced.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay away from the water,” Kevin Tipton, fire marshal for Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, said. “There are down power lines in the water, sewage in the water, and an incredible amount of debris. It is not safe.”
Mistake 2: Not being careful with a generator
Carbon monoxide deaths often increase after natural disasters like hurricanes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. This is because running generators emits the toxic gas from combustion that's odorless and colorless.
Do not place generators in enclosed areas, such as a garage. Instead, place them outside, away from windows or doors by at least 20 feet.
Mistake 3: Missing warnings from officials
Approaching noon Saturday, the NWS issued a flash flood emergency for towns and cities below the Nolichucky Dam. Dam operators warned excessive water flow over the dam led to a risk of "imminent" failure, which would lead to flooding downstream for thousands of people.
“If you are in low-lying areas below the Nolichucky Dam, you should move to higher ground immediately,” the NWS said. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
Look for alerts and conditions from local emergency management authorities, FEMA and NWS. FEMA’s site also has a list of local officials, from Alabama to Tennessee, who are responding to the crisis. If in an emergency, call 911.
People should be ready to evacuate if ordered to do so. For people who have to move, the Red Cross recommends to-go kits with three days of supplies. A stay-at-home kit should have supplies for two weeks, given that stores and pharmacies could be shuttered for days.
Contributing: USA TODAY, Asheville Citizen Times
veryGood! (12)
Related
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Cheryl Burke Shares Message on Starting Over After Retirement and Divorce
- COP-out: who's liable for climate change destruction?
- Here's what happened on Day 5 of the U.N.'s COP27 climate talks
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Lionel Richie Shares Biggest Lesson on Royal Protocol Ahead of King Charles III's Coronation
- Al Gore helped launch a global emissions tracker that keeps big polluters honest
- Al Gore helped launch a global emissions tracker that keeps big polluters honest
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- How Rising Seas Turned A Would-be Farmer Into A Climate Migrant
Ranking
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Climate Change Stresses Out These Chipmunks. Why Are Their Cousins So Chill?
- This Under $10 Vegan & Benzene-Free Dry Shampoo Has 6,300+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews
- As farmers split from the GOP on climate change, they're getting billions to fight it
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- 'Water batteries' could store solar and wind power for when it's needed
- The carbon coin: A novel idea
- Traditional Plant Knowledge Is Not A Quick Fix
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
The Myth of Plastic Recycling
Whether gas prices are up or down, don't blame or thank the president
A small town ballfield took years to repair after Hurricane Maria. Then Fiona came.
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
How glaciers melted 20,000 years ago may offer clues about climate change's effects
Extreme weather, fueled by climate change, cost the U.S. $165 billion in 2022
The first day of fall marks the autumn equinox, which is different from a solstice