Overcoming Your Travel Nightmares: Disasters – Real Ones
When you first check into your room, review the emergency exit instructions so you’ll know where you are in relationship to stairs and exits. If you’re one of those people who never reads the emergency instructions card on the airplane, you’ll probably skip this step also, but the same warning applies. In the event of an emergency, you may not have time to review this information. I recommend this simple step.
Tornadoes
If you should find yourself in regions prone to tornadoes, request a room on a center floor. If a tornado should arise, it is safer to be in the mid section of the hotel, than on the ground floor or top floor. Some hotels will call each room and warn them of the impending tornado and give instructions, but don’t rely on them. If you are watching TV in your room and one of those weather advisories scroll across the bottom of the screen, pay attention. Even though they usually tell which counties the advisories are for, you may not know the name of the county in which you are located. Call the front desk and ask. Hopefully the front desk clerk will know but if not, find the phone book, emergency instructions or something that will tell you if you need to be concerned. Do not rely on the front desk clerk for help. If there is a tornado warning, stay away from the window. I know, it’s hard to do so in a small hotel room, but the best place to be is in the bathroom. Grab your ID, cell phone, and any small items that are vital and get in the bathtub with your pillows, blankets and anything else that can be used as a cushion. If, in fact, a tornado is headed towards you and you can handle it, you may want to get in the tub and cover up with the mattress. Stay there and wait it out.
Hurricanes
In the event of a hurricane, the power may go out so be aware of your surroundings if it is dark and be able to navigate the room in the dark. The same rules apply for hurricane warnings; however, the wind and rain cover a larger geographic region and may affect more buildings. While tornadoes can be random in their path of destruction, hurricanes may affect everyone in the region. Hurricanes often give more time to prepare and you should definitely prepare because you may lack access to resources for a longer period. If a hurricane warning is given, make sure you have ample water and food (non perishable) in case you need to stay put for a while. If you do have perishable food in your micro-fridge, it may be fine for a while, but you can always fill your sink with ice from the ice machine (think ahead!) and store food there temporarily. Keep your cell phone or Blackberry charged and only use it if absolutely necessary. Your plumbing may not operate the way you are accustomed to so be aware of water conservation for bathing and toilets. Again, the bathroom is your friend.
Road Safety
Floods
After the storms have passed, your first inclination is to get out of there. Be aware of the possibility of flooding. When driving in a heavy storm area, flooding is often an after effect. Forego the CD and Satellite radio and tune in your car radio to a station that gives accurate information about possible flooding areas and heed those warnings. It is possible for flooding to occur instantaneously and in this case, use your best judgment in proceeding. It is always best to stay put if you can but if you must drive make sure you have your cell phone handy and take note of landmarks in order to identify your location, if necessary.
You may be able to cross roads in which water is streaming but if there is a larger flood ahead you may not be able to backtrack so try to find alternate routes to main roads. This would be a perfectly good time to ask directions. As always, be sure you have enough fuel to make it to safety. Since you don’t know how far that might be, always fill your tank at the first storm warning announcement. If you come to a place in the road that appears to be flooded, use your best judgment about crossing. If there appears to be lake on either side of the road don’t do it. If other cars ahead of you have made it through, assess the situation. Are the cars of a similar height and clearance? How swiftly is the water flowing? Are you a praying person? Now would be the time.
Whenever a severe storm is announced and you have the ability to avoid it, by all means go. If you are the adventurous type and believe you can outwit Mother Nature, see you on CNN. Travel light.
