Sunday, September 10, 2017

IRMA: Hurricane Irma makes landfall at Marco Island

IRMA: Hurricane Irma makes landfall at Marco Island

No comments:

Getting Out of Harms Way

Hurricanes are like no other storms on earth, these ferocious weather systems bring torrential rain, flooding, storm surges and devastating winds that damage homes, destroy treasured keepsakes and disrupt family life. You don't have to be blown away when a hurricane hits. It's never too early to prepare and you can take several basic to protect your family and your home from disaster.

o Hurricane Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Every disaster can have lasting effects, to both people and property. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and the loss that accompany disasters. For this reason, it's important that everyone, including you and me, be prepared.

o Know your Evacuation Route When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used. Additionally, there may be circumstances under which you and your family feel threatened or endangered and you need to leave your home, school, or workplace to avoid these situations.

o How Do I Find a Place to Stay? Your family's plan should be based on your vulnerability to the Hurricane Hazards. You should keep a written plan and share your plan with other friends or family.

o Disaster Supply Kit There is certain items you need to have regardless of where you ride out a hurricane. The disaster supply kit is a useful tool when you evacuate as well as making you as safe as possible in your home.

o Prepare, Plan. Stay Inform There are web sites that can give you information about your communities’ vulnerability to specific hazards. These include hurricanes as well as other weather related hazards.

· PREPARATION IS KEY FOR A SAFE SEASON as we find ourselves into another hurricane season; we are reminded of the awesome power these storms produce and the devastation that is left in their wake, while we have no control over what Mother Nature throws our way, we can take steps to lesson the impact on our families. In the event that a hurricane threatens us, careful planning will help ensure we are as prepared as possible.

· Having a Place to go Select an evacuation destination that is nearest to your home, preferably in the same county, or at least minimize the distance over which you must travel in order to reach your intended shelter location.

Coping with Disaster The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business, or personal property.

GETTING OUT OF HARMS WAY Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microburst, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.

· Secure your home The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it's important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it.

· Pet Plan Contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

Learn your flood risk

Anywhere it can rain, it can flood; and anywhere it can flood, homes and properties are at risk for flood damage - even those located outside of high-risk areas. In fact, one out of every four flood claims comes from a low- to moderate-risk area... Retrieved 04/08/2008 from http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=35880

Have you hugged your insurance agent today?


http://www.weather.com/newscenter/hurricanecentral/2008/fay.html

HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE:If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements:
(1) It is reasonably well built, and
(2) It is located in Wisconsin

Unfortunately, if your home is located in Florida, or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place. So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss.

SHUTTERS:
Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages: Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap.

Sheet-metal shutters:
The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

Roll-down shutters:
The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.

Hurricane-proof windows:
These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.

Hurricane proofing your property:
As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc. You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE ONCE AGAIN


HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE ONCE AGAIN being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. Communities, families, and individuals should know what to do in the event of a hurricane and where to seek shelter. They should be ready to evacuate their homes and take refuge in public shelters and know how to care for their basic medical needs. People also can reduce the impact of disasters by moving out of harm’s way, and sometimes avoid the danger completely.

Active 2010 hurricane season predicted

The Associated Press
2:14 AM MST, March 11, 2010

Meteorologists are predicting an active 2010 hurricane season with above-normal threats on the U.S. coastline.

Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi, with the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, said Wednesday that he predicts seven landfalls. Five will be hurricanes and two or three of the hurricanes will be major landfalls for the U.S.

Bastardi forecasts 16 to 18 tropical storms in total, 15of which will likely be in the western Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico.

In a typical season, there are about 11 named storms, with only two or three impacting the coast of the United States.

The rapidly weakening El Nino, warmer ocean temperatures, weakening trade winds and higher humidity levels will all contribute to greater storm activity.

Hurricane Research Division

The U.S. coastline gets struck by an average of five hurricanes every three years. Hurricanes bring winds as high as 100 miles per hour and water surges reaching heights of 20 feet. These tropical cyclones can be dangerous, so it is smart to be prepared for hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

o Frequently asked questions
o Risk Area

My objective for creating an electronic portfolio

Are You Ready?

Hurricanes:http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/hurricanes.shtm

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, the generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.

All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical storms. Parts of the Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast experience heavy rains and floods each year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microbursts, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.

Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains. Floods are the deadly and destructive result. Slow moving storms and tropical storms moving into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides, especially in mountainous regions. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall. Flooding on rivers and streams may persist for several days or more after the storm.

About Me

I received my Bachelors’ through Ellis College of NYIT in Interdisciplinary Studies the end of July 2006. I attended NYIT while living in Long Island NY and when I moved to PA and decided to continue my education, the obvious choice was NYIT since I know it’s a accredited school. Ellis College has traveled with me during my moves and when I moved and made the state of Florida my home Ellis has made it flexible for me to continue my education. I currently hold a Masters of Science from Ellis College of NYIT in Instructional Technology for Trainers.

How I got to Florida

I was in Punta Gorda, Florida on August 13th, 2004. I will never forget that day. Little did I know that my visit would mainly be preparing for a hurricane, sitting in a closet for 2 hours and cleaning up after Hurricane Charley, a memory never to be forgotten. I have never seen such horror or thought I would survive the sounds of Hurricane Charley. That Friday, I thought we would not see the light of day. I never imagined I would move to the state that made me think I would never see tomorrow. Here I was, not even a year later, living in Florida. I felt a passion as an insurance agent to be here and educate Floridians about having adequate insurance for storms. Not that they need to be reminded, but is a reality that they'd be facing. The effect of the 2004 hurricanes made me realize how crucial my specialty in insurance is.

My Educational Philosophy

Those who want to take on line courses should take into consideration many factors. Students need to realize that distance learning is a different from traditional learning. There are characteristics that will help become a good distance learning student. Students needed to posses self discipline or able self-motivated. Distance learning is a different way of learning therefore, if a student is considering changing from traditional learning to distance learning it would be a good practice to take an on line learner readiness testing to make sure they have the readiness and the technical skills to help them determine if they are a good candidate for on line classes. There are many websites that can help students question their capability for example the website “Are you ready to learn on line?” http://www.cypresscollege.edu/~online/OnlineReadinessQuiz.htm, the website tests the skills as a student and the technical skills of the student. The website is design to better acquaint the student with the environment needed to be an on line student.

Contents

1. Abstract
2. Goal
3. Objective
4. Summary

1. Abstract

Six months out of the year the state of Florida must prepare for hurricane season. Florida ranks 23 among the states in size according to the 2007 census. The state of Florida is a low-lying area with an average elevation of 100 ft above sea level. Florida is considered the second lowest state before Louisiana and after Delaware. Florida is no stranger to hurricanes with hurricanes such as Andrew in 1992 and the 4 storms to hit Florida in 2004 almost back to back, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. These hurricanes were estimated to have caused more than 40 billion dollars in damage. Anyone who has experience a hurricane understands the importance of preparation for hurricane season but always a good reminder having helpful guidelines when “hurricane season is here once again”.

2. Goal

The goal of this unit is to provide clients with the resources to help them be safe during a hurricane and protect personal property during hurricane season.. Besides making sure they have adequate coverage it will be important to educate them in how they can secure coverage that would protect them in the event of a catastrophic loss. The goal in this production is to provide information that will guide people in knowing what to do during this time.

This information given would have to be kept up to date by way of continuous research in order to make sure that the most up to date information is available to the information seeker. It is very frustrating when doing research and the website link no longer exists. The evaluation would have the objective of reviewing websites which along with reviewing sites which changed crucial information pertinent to the objective.

One important aspect will be to identify whether hurricane preparedness information provided is relevant to my audience. Actually test driving information by providing it to current clients that I have a continuous relationship with. I can also ask new clients what they think and feel about the information. Most importantly I can have expert review provided by associates of mine who can be surveyed feedback regarding the information provided. Their input will allow for additional or revised content.

After gathering information as well as having my proposal evaluated I would then be better prepared to actually design my product and design an evaluation that would give me constant feedback. I want to know that the lesson gives information about my product that will allow readers to understand the importance of protecting families during hurricane season. To give the tools and make people or better yet Floridians aware what to do in case disaster strikes. Everyone needs to know how to prepare for the best preparation is the one that can save a life.


3. Objective

The objective of this electronic portfolio is for clients to understand the importance of protecting themselves and their families during hurricane season as well as their properties. To give them the tools and make them aware what to do in case disaster strikes. What they can do during off season so they’d be better prepared.

The objectives in my presentation are to establish the importance of preparation.

· Identifying the basic necessities in supply, such as food, water, and securing important documents
· Inventory and securing their homes
· Conducting a review of their insurance polices
· Securing their insurance polices
· Developing a Family Plan for evacuation

Forecasters predict 2008 will consist of above average storm activities compared to previous years. Florida residences are no stranger to hurricanes. , but what about those clients who move to paradise seeking the beautiful weather and the beautiful beaches? They need to know that hurricanes are no paradise and they can destroy people’s life.

I know that there are many websites and the media is very good at keeping us inform, but it’s also my job as an agent to provide my clients with a welcome module that would allow them to enjoy the sunshine state and know how to reason with hurricane season. Even though the flow of people moving into Florida has declined, people are still moving into the sunshine state. With hurricane fears and the cost of homeowners insurance it’s important to for those who are moving here to understand the potential of a hurricane and how they can prepare for the safety of their family and property.

4. Summary

Insurance companies are in the business to make money; this is why it’s so important to educated insurance agents as well as the clients we insure. We need to research what is in the best interest of all involved and the bottom line in the insurance industry is to educate the agents developing the business and passing the education to those who are insured.

Once the objective has been analyze to determine the best approach to educate clients to hurricane season it only a matter of introducing the project that would suit everyone from the insured to the client. The focus here is not the cost of insurance but the effects of the cost in the event of a loss. Insurance is tangible but not so until needed.

Reference:

Reference:

Fitzpatrick, J.L, Sanders, J.R., and Worthen, B. R., (2004), Program Evaluation Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines (3rd ed). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Tessmer, Martin. (1993). Planning and Conducting Formative Evaluation: Improving the Quality of Education and Training. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2005.

Mumford, Alan and Gold, Jeff. Management Development Startegies for Action (4th ed). Chartered Institution of Personal Development. Wimbledon, London 2004.

Alessi, S.M., & Trollip, S.R., (2001). Multimedia for learning; Methods and Development (3rd ed). Needham Heights, Massachusetts: Pearson Education Company.

Beebe, S.A., Mottet, T.P, & Roach, K.D., (2004) Training and Development (n/e). Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education Company.

Blanchard, P.N., & Thacker, J.W., (2007). Effective Training Systems, Strategies, and Practices (3rd ed). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Dooley, Kim E., Lindner, James R., and Dooley, Larry M..(2005) Advance Methods in Distance Education. Hershey, PA: Information Science Publishing.

ThinkQuest (2005) “How much do you know about hurricanes?” at Oracle Education Foundation Elizabeth Chase, Global Operations, Redwood Shores, CA (2005) Retrieved March 4, 2008 from
http://library.thinkquest.org/4657/index.html


Gary, William (2008) “Dr. Gray: ’08 Hurricane Season Above Average” at the forecasters based out of Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Co.: Colorado University (2008) Retrieved March 3, 2008 from
http://www.mysafeflorida.org/hurricane2008.html


McNamara, Carter (16 February, 1998) “Steps 4 & 5: Data Collection Tools and Methods and Collecting Data” at the Planning and Evaluation Resource Center”. Tacoma Park, MD.:” Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development, (16 February, 1998), Retrieved February 21, 2008 from
http://www.evaluationtools.org/plan_data_collect.asp


McNamara, Carter (16 February, 1998) “Steps 6: Analyzing Data” at the Planning and Evaluation Resource Center”. Analyzing and Interpreting Information. Tacoma Park, MD.:” Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development, (16 February, 1998), Retrieved February 21, 2008 from
http://www.evaluationtools.org/plan_analyze.asp


McNamara, Carter., (1997-2007) “Basic Guide to program Evaluation” at the Management Library, Minneapolis, MN,: Authenticity Consulting, LLC. (2007) Retrieved February 21, 2008 from
http://www.managementhelp.org/evaluatn/fnl_eval.htm#anchor1665834

FEMA. (16 October, 2007) “Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)” at the FEMA OFFICE, Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency. (16 October, 2007) Retrieved February 21, 2008 from http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm


Nan, Susan A (December 2003). “Formative Evaluation” at the Beyond Intractability Project, Boulder, CO.: University of Colorado. (December 2003) Retrieved February 1, 2008 from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/formative_evaluation

Gottschalk, Tania H., (24 August, 2007) “Distance Education at a Glance Home” Engineering outreach home. University of Idaho Engineering Outreach. (24 August, 2007) Retrieved August 24, 2007 from http://www.outreach.uidaho.edu/eo/

"Florida," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Retrieved March 13, 2008 from http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557601/Florida.html

Robinson, D. G., & Robinson J. C., (1998) Moving from Training to Performance. A Practical Guidebook (n/e). Alexander, Virginia: American Society for Training & Development.

Brinck, T., Gergle, D., Wood, S. D., (2002) Designing web sites that work “usability for the Web”. San Francisco, CA.: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
Powered By Blogger