In the Atlantic Ocean, they are called “Hurricanes”; in the Pacific, “Typhoons”; and in the Indian Ocean they are called by their generic name, “Cyclones”. A hurricane is a low pressure weather system that forms over water in the tropics. The rotation of the earth, the prevailing wind patterns and ocean currents combine to produce a rotating storm system that can assume catastrophic proportions. A typical hurricane is accompanied by thunderstorms, and high winds near the earth’s surface that, in the Northern Hemisphere, rotate counterclockwise. Hurricanes cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour, often spawning tornadoes, secondary storms, heavy seas, heavy rains and hail, and severe flooding.

Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and typical expected damage. Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, and are extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30. Texas and Florida are by far the most hurricane-prone states, with North Carolina and Louisiana coming in right behind them. Other coastal states, particularly Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi also suffer hurricane damage periodically. Even inland states like Tennessee have suffered flooding from the remnants of a hurricane.

Hurricanes wreak havoc on everything they touch, man-made or natural. Coral reefs have been totally destroyed, entire islands moved or washed away, forests flattened, buildings, roads and other infrastructure destroyed. Recovery after a severe hurricane can take years, even decades.

Preparing for a hurricane

Prior to hurricane season, reinforce houses, barns and outbuildings with hurricane straps and other measures. When erecting new buildings, use hurricane-resistant designs and materials. Have on hand plywood or other suitable material to install over glass windows. Have generators and plenty of fuel ready to provide electricity. Perform regular, periodic inspections and maintenance of all utilities, buildings and other farm infrastructure.

During hurricane season, pay attention to weather forecasts and bulletins. Modern storm tracking technology can predict, with a high degree of accuracy, when and where a hurricane will strike, usually giving you ample time to prepare. The National Weather Service issues watches and warnings of impending storms. Under a Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch, hurricane or tropical storm conditions are possible, usually within 36 hours. Under a Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning, hurricane or tropical storm conditions are expected, usually within 24 hours.

Upon the issuance of a hurricane watch in your area, begin final preparations. Board up any windows, secure any loose items. Open gates or provide other escape routes to areas where your animals can be safe from flood waters.

Most hurricanes of Category 3 and above will require evacuation. If you have three or four days leeway until landfall (and know where it will come ashore), the best thing to do is to load your animals and head inland.

At very best, evacuation of animals is a miserable experience for animals as well as their caregivers. Since hurricane season is in the hottest part of the sub-tropical year, sitting in creeping bumper-to-bumper traffic is extremely stressful, and even dangerous to goats. If you have only a few goats, the situation is not quite as bad, but the logistics of moving a large herd of animals to safety can be quite staggering. More often than not, goats usually fare better where they are than when they are being transported on the hot, crowded highways.

If you choose to evacuate the area, plan at least two evacuation routes to each possible destination, avoiding, if possible, routes that would almost certainly be congested in the event of an emergency. Drive the routes, making notes of possible watering facilities, sheltering facilities, etc. along the way. Pay particular attention to areas that could be subject to flooding and avoid them if possible. Practice loading your animals so they will be somewhat used to the procedure.

You should have at least two destinations, at least 40-70 miles inland and in different directions, to which you could go if a hurricane hits. Plan with friends, family members, and members of agriculture associations to which you might belong, and any others who might have ample room to hold your animals until the emergency passes. Do not overlook such facilities as fairgrounds, agricultural expo centers, and sale barns. In an emergency most of these facilities can accommodate a large number of animals.

Develop and implement a back-up feeding plan for use during an evacuation. On the move, grain and concentrate are more practical than hay or silage. Make sure the feed goes with the animals when they go. It could be disastrous if the vehicle carrying the feed was trapped or otherwise detained or delayed. It is easier to keep feed dry if stored and transported in barrels.

Water supplies will more than likely be contaminated, so you will need to plan to move water with you as well. Drums and barrels work well, but the most practical is perhaps the plastic water tanks designed for use on a truck bed. Some of these can carry 500 gallons or more. Carry plenty of buckets to use to water and feed your animals.

Emergency actions

Fill water tanks for livestock – you may need several days’ supply. Construct emergency “ladders” for livestock, or open gates so livestock can escape high water. Stacked bales of hay can provide safety for goats; they’ll climb them to escape rising water. In areas subject to flooding, leave doors and windows open at least 2 inches to equalize water pressure and help prevent buildings from shifting or collapsing. Move grain or other feeds to an area not likely to be flooded. Disconnect electric power to all barns and buildings that could be flooded. Develop a plan to milk any dairy animals. Check with the state health department for approved emergency milking procedures and facilities. You may be forced to dispose of the milk.

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