Hurricane Preparedness
What you need to know at Seashore Oaks
Hurricane Season runs June through November
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This page discusses unique issues specific to those living at Seashore Oaks. It also covers general preparedness tips for surviving Hurricanes and Tropical Storms.
Living on the Gulf Coast has many pros and some cons, like hurricanes and tropical storms. This is 'old hat' for those who grew up here or have lived here for many years. For those who are new, it's good to understand that educating yourself and preparing is the best path forward for alleviate fear or worry. It is also the best strategy for more easily overcoming any disaster.
SEE ALSO: City of Biloxi Hurricane Prep Articles
Depending on its strength, a tropical cyclone in our area is called a hurricane, tropical storm, or tropical depression.
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
The Basics
The Basics
2024 Forecast for the Hurricane Season
2 minutes
Hurricane Basics - An Overview
10 minutes
How to Survive (before, during, and after)
8 minutes
Why Hurricane Categories
Make a Difference
2 minutes
A Hurricane Timeline
Hurricane Watches and Warnings
2 minutes
Stay Informed
Stay Informed
National Hurricane Center
Get Official Advisories and Storm Updates
City of Biloxi Storm Info
– City Storm Info Line: (228) 435-6300
– Map of City Evacuation Zones
– Sign up for "B-Alert" by texting 'BILOXI' to 99411. You’ll get advisories via text messages.
– Sign up for "Bmail" at biloxi.ms.us
(Bmail is the City's email notification system)MDOT Traffic Cameras from around MS
Seashore Oaks Specific
Seashore Oaks Specific
Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Having renters insurance can set one's mind at ease. I know some have clawed their way back to a more stable home from having little to nothing. Having renters insurance can help prevent that from happening again by restoring you if a disaster occurs.
While not mandatory, it can be very beneficial to have renters insurance. The Editor uses GEICO Renter's Insurance which cost about $30 to 45 a month, depending which options are chosen. It covers theft - it covers storm, wind and fire damage. It even covers damage to your apartment and your neighbors' too if you set off your sprinkler and it creates water damage for all. It covers damage to your apartment if your neighbor does the same to you. It also covers a storage unit if you have one.
Renters Insurance normally covers most everything except for flooding/storm surge waters. If you are on the first floor of the 4 story bldg you might consider adding flood insurance.
Seal Your Windows
Seal Your Windows
Tenants in the 6-story building have noticed slight flooding inside (window leaks) during tropical storms and hurricanes. This ONLY happens in very high wind and rain combination situations, where rain is forced into the littlest of cracks in the windows. These cracks are not be easily apparent at other times.
ADD VERY THIN WEATHER STRIPPING TO WINDOWS. While a mop and a bucket solves this, adding very thin weather-stripping to the windows also solves this too. BE CAREFUL to only use a small thin one, because if it's too big you will not be able to close the window. Use a 'silicon' or 'rubber' type, not foam.
Door/Window Weather stripping is available at most local and online stores.
Where to Park?
Where to Park?
Most cars that get damaged during a storm are the result of falling trees and tree limbs. You should decide where to park based upon the potential for flying or falling debris. Parking out of the wind or behind a building may not be your best choice, but rather parking in an area away from buildings and trees is better. If your car is sound and in good condition, it can most likely survive wind of a Category 1 or 2 Hurricane in the front parking lot without any difficulty. Just try to stay away from the trees.
Stay or Go? Plan for Both.
Stay or Go? Plan for Both.
STAY (Shelter in Place) or GO (Evacuate)
You have to determine what is best for you, but you should plan now for both, and no less than 24 hours prior to a hurricane's expected arrival, you must implement that plan.
THIS EDITOR'S CHOICE...
This is my own personal choice, but understand that I grew up on the Coast with hurricanes, am generally able bodied, yet also that my window faces the Gulf. I've also been through a few hurricanes and tropical storms here at Seashore Oaks.STAY: for Tropical Storms and Category 1 Hurricanes
MAYBE GO: for Category 2 Hurricanes
GO: Category 3 or higher Hurricanes
If You Need to Evacuate, Where Will You Go?
Family, Friends, Motel, or Evacuation Center?
Start discussions now with Friends and Family to make tentative plans.
IF a Motel or Evacuation Center, you have to bring your own food, water, and supplies. If with Friends and Family, you probably should bring those too.
Seashore Oaks sits at one of the highest parts of Biloxi so we are not prone to storm surge. We are, however, located on the Gulf and prone to higher winds directly from a storm. In addition, higher floors will get stronger winds.
new 2024 City of Biloxi zone evacuation system
City Evacuation Zones
at Seashore Oaks
addresses 'storm surge' & flooding of first floor
A is the lowest/worst, apt for storm surge
C is the highest/safer, not apt for storm surge
3 Story Bldg: Zone C
6 Story Bldg: Zone C
4 Story Bldg: South half of bldg or first floor apartments are in Zone B, North half in Zone C.
Don't Have a Car?
Coast Transit OFFERS a Hurricane Evacuation bus service to a nearby Evacuation Center ONLY FOR THOSE WHO PRE-REGISTER.
How to Prepare Yourself
How to Prepare Yourself
BACKPACK: Having some type of backpack helps out, especially if you have to evacuate prior to, during, or after a storm. It's always advisable to use a backpack to make a "GO BAG" with basic supplies, water bottle, meds, food, extra change of clothes and multiple undies.
CLOTHES: Try to have some type of rain gear (coat and bottoms). ALSO good Shoes or Boots.
TRANSPORTATION: Make sure your vehicle is serviced (check oil, fluids, tires) and you fully fueled up prior to any storm.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR, then make prior arrangements with friends, family, or a neighbor to help you if you need to evacuate.MAKE COPIES OF IMPORANT PAPERS and place them with friends or family.
Some also prefer to scan (digitize) their documents and put them on their Cloud Storage Space. You can also use your smartphone to take photos of them. If you don't know how to scan documents, find a geekie, technical type person with a scanner to help.TAKE PHOTOS & VIDEO: Your Property (car, apartment). Document your Medications, Important Papers.
TRY TO SAVE UP MEDICATIONS: Get your refills on meds as early as possible. Try to save up some extra for storm times when the pharmacies will not be open.
Emergency Supplies
Emergency Supplies
FOOD & WATER: 3 Days for Evacuations, 2 Weeks for the Home
BASICS: Emergency Radio, Flashlight, and Batteries
CASH in low denominations (1s,5s,10s,20s)
Food & Water Emergency Supply
Food & Water Emergency Supply
FEMA recommends everyone should keep a minimum of 17 days worth:
2 weeks for your home
3 days in a separate box, pack, or kit that you can easily take with you if you need to evacuate
You don't have to buy it all at once, but it is advisable to at least start now to buy a little extra each month until you build up enough for 2 weeks.
WATER STORAGE | 17 Gallons PER PERSON (for 17 days)
FEMA recommends 1 gallon per person, per day. This should cover drinking and cooking, extra if you think about using water for brushing teeth, washing, etc. DON'T FORGET WATER FOR THE PETS. After a Hurricane makes landfall (comes ashore), more often than not, city water systems can get broken or tainted with foreign water or waste water. There is often a 'boil water' alert and if the power is not on, sometimes there is no water.Distilled Bottled Water (lasts 8 to 12 months)
1 Gallon Distilled Water Jugs are the easiest and cheapest solution that can be bought at any grocery stores. Distilled Water keeps up to a year, much longer than Spring or other types.Use the Tub for Emergency Water Storage
Anybody who's experience with Hurricanes already knows this. Prior to the arrival of a tropical storm or hurricane, we always fill up the tub with water. We use most often to flush the toilet and to wash, because we already had water to drink and cook with - but you can also use it for that. A NEW INNOVATION on this idea is called the "Water Bob" which is a water bladder for $35 that sits in the tub and has a hand-pump. This has its advantages: it can fill up over the rim of the tub (more water) and it's appears to be more sanitary.Long-Term Water Storage (lasts 5 years)
You CAN also purchase water storage kits and a chemical treatment that allows the water to keep, unspoiled and bacteria-free, for up to 5 years. There are many, many options available, too many to mention. The Editor recommends the 5 Gallon Water Box System, because it is the most affordable and best product available, AND because it comes with the Chlorine Dioxide chemical treatment.Portable Water Jugs
IF you have to go and get water, you will need an empty water container that is 3 to 6 gallons, depending on what you can carry when full. 1 gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds. The Editor chose two, one for either hand to balance better when carrying them. These 'water containers' are available locally and online along with other camping equipment. They do have fold-down ones that are easy to store. This Editor chose hard plastic ones from Walmart called the Igloo 6 gallon water containers.
FOOD STORAGE
Whatever you eat, buy a little more each month to go into your Emergency Food Storage to build up to at least 2 weeks of food.
GET NON-PERISABLE ITEMS LIKE:
Can goods, rice, pasta, beans.
DON'T GET PERISABLE ITEMS LIKE:
Frozen Foods, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, or items that, once opened, require refrigeration.
KEEP IT SEPARATE from Your Kitchen Pantry
If you keep your long-term food items WITH your regular kitchen pantry items, you will eat them. This defeats its entire purpose.
WHEN & HOW TO EAT IT?
Once you have achieved your desired goal of 2 weeks or whatever of food, AND once the food has aged to maybe 1 year, a popular practice is to start eating the older items while replacing them with new items. This keeps your long-term food storage updated and fresh.
NON-HURRICANE EMERGENCIES...
Yes! Your Emergency Food Storage is for ANY TYPE of emergency. Having a hard month economically?
Batteries, Radio, and more.
Batteries, Radio, and more.
Emergency Radio
Bare Minimum: an FM Radio. Better is an AM/FM radio.
BETTER: Also has NOAA Weather Radio. This will tie you directly into all the latest government weather forecasts, weather alerts, and disaster alerts and notifications specific to our area.
BEST: Also may have a light, might have a small solar panel. Might also have a hand-crank. Uses these types of batteries: D cell or the high capacity 18650. BONUS if it can also charge your phone via a USB port. You can buy these on Amazon for about $40.Flash Light and Lantern
Bare Minimum: a Basic Flash Light.
Basic Flashlights use a C or D Cell Batteries, are cheap and available everywhere to buy.
BETTER: LED 18650 Flashlights cost just a little more yet are much better. They are more powerful, smaller, and last longer because they use the 18650 high capacity lithium-ion batteries.
BEST: Also have a battery-powered Lantern which can provide light to an entire room.
LED Lanterns are very affordable ($10 to $20) and the better ones use D Cell Batteries.Batteries
Bare Minimum: Disposable batteries for the emergency equipment you have: Radio, Flash Lights, Lanterns.
BETTER: Add a USB Power Bank to re-charge your phone when the power is out.
Recommend at least a 5,000mah to 10,000mah USB Battery Bank. BONUS: Get 2. It's actually better to have 2 than 1 larger one.
BEST: Whatever batteries you think you need, double that.
BEST INVESTMENT - RECHARGABLE BATTERIES
Disposable batteries, while cheap, in-the-long-run actually cost more. Investing in rechargeable batteries and a battery chargers are actually the most economical move. The Editor likes EBL Ni-Mh Rechargeable Batteries. They come in all the regular sizes (AAA,AA,C,D).
Check out EBL Ni-Mh Rechargable Batteries on Amazon or on their U.S. Website.
GOING SOLAR - Without Breaking the Budget
Not just for disasters, small enough to easily into a back pack, and for under $90 you can buy a small 40 watt solar panel that can power/charge your phone, a USB Power Bank, AND a USB Powered Battery Charger to re-charge all your re-chargeable batteries. IF you choose eventually get a small solar panel, it's best to buy a USB Powered Battery Charger NOW for your re-chargeable batteries instead of one that only plugs into the wall. USB Powered Battery Chargers plug into the wall also, but they first plug into a wall adapter, like the one you use to charge your phone.
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