You live on Dale Mabry Highway, just north of MacDill Air Force Base. Category Five Hurricane Quasimodo is approaching and projected to have a direct impact on Tampa Bay. What do you do?
If I had lived near MacDill Air Force, the area which will directly be affected by the hurricane I would have immediately started packing only the most essential goods. In particular, I would have taken approximately 1 gallon of water, canned fruits, vegetables, cooking utensils, and clothing. Furthermore, it is vital not to forget about cash and some important documents, such as birth certificate, insurance, or driving license.
Finally, I will have to take medicines, bandages, and cotton wool which may prove to be useful, if I sustain an injury. My route will depend upon the amount of time that I will have at my disposal. Under the worst possible scenario, I will need to go to the nearest low-intensity shelter, which is Tampa Bay Blvd. Elementary. I will have to go approximately 12 miles. However, I had at least two hours, I would go to Crestwood Elementary that is located fifteen miles from MacDill Air Force. Overall, my route will also depend on traffic in this area since there is a great likelihood that traffic jams will occur.
You live in Plant City 1 mile north of I-4. Category Five Hurricane Quasimodo is approaching and projected to have a direct impact on Tampa Bay. What do you do?
Plant City is not located in the evacuation zone, and the effects of hurricanes will not be so disastrous in this area. Nonetheless, if I had lived in this area I would have taken also taken several safety precautions. First of all, I would have taken the emergency kit (food, medicines, the most important documents, clothing). People, who live in a small house, should to the storm cellar or the basement. In turn, the residents of multistoried buildings must also go to the lowest floor. Apart from that, a person, who lives in this area, should not forget about a radio reception because it may be the only means of learning new information about the situation in the city.
You live in your present house. Category Five Quasimodo did indeed come directly into Tampa Bay. What do you see at this location? Describe what will happen the first 24 hours after the storm passes and what you will be doing during that time
A person, who lives in the area that has been affected by Category Five Quasimodo, will see a great number of fallen trees, and ruined or semi-ruined houses. Moreover, there is a great likelihood that the infrastructure (roads and communications) will no longer as it should. People will not be able to use their vehicles due to a great number of traffic jams. There will be many medical workers, firefighters, and volunteers representing various non-governmental organizations (NGOs). They will give immediate medical aid to people who were either injured or wounded. Many rescuers will search for those people, who could have been trapped under debris. I am not sure what I would do in this case. Most probably, I would help my family provided that our house was damaged by the hurricane.
It is one year after Hurricane Quasimodo has passed. Where do you live? How is your life different?
Any natural disaster lives an indelible trace in the people’s memory, and a hurricane is no exception from this rule. After this event, I may try to settle in an area that is less exposed to tropical cyclones. Secondly, some of my habits may change, for example, I will keep an emergency kit close at hand. To some degree, it can be explained by the aftermath of the shock that I endured. However, the most important thing is that I will have to cut down my expenses: a natural disaster inevitably entails some financial losses, and I may have to spend a considerable sum of money on house repair or the purchase of new furniture. Thus, it is quite possible to say that this hurricane will influence me both psychologically and economically.
Works Cited
“Hillsborough Country Evacuation Map and Shelters”. (n. d.) Web.