OPINION: Hugo anniversary serves as reminder to prepare for worst in hurricane season

Most people living in the Pee Dee and across the Carolinas on Sept. 21, 1989, have vivid memories of Hurricane Hugo.
For months afterward, they dealt with the damage caused by Hugo’s impact, including the loss of power. And some had to cope with the deaths of nearly 100 people, as well.
Today, the Category 4 hurricane stands as the sixth costliest storm in U.S. history, according to Progress Energy, which functioned as Carolina Power & Light at the time. Progress Energy estimates put the damage to the Carolinas alone at $15 million to $20 million. And Pee Dee Electric Cooperative says 85 percent of its power system had to be rebuilt completely in the storm’s aftermath.
While linemen and emergency personnel worked to restore life to normal as quickly as possible after the storm, they also wasted no time in taking the lessons they learned from dealing with Hugo and developing ways to improve their response to future hurricanes.
Preparation and procedures for storms is much more advanced today, thanks in part to better technology, Progress Energy spokeswoman Mindy Taylor said. The company has crews from other areas en route to South Carolina to help as soon as the threat of a bad storm occurs, too.
Utility companies also routinely conduct drills with other emergency personnel to improve storm readiness and response times.
Perhaps the most important lesson from Hugo, and from subsequent hurricanes like Floyd and Katrina, is that the priority must be on preventing the loss of life.
If an evacuation is ordered, obey it. Routes are clearly marked on major roadways through the Pee Dee and Grand Strand. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides a list of things to include in an evacuation kit online at http://www.nhc.noaa. gov/HAW2/pdf/EVACBOOK3.pdf.
Remember also to make arrangements for pets, as public emergency shelters do not allow them. Pets left behind could die or wind up roaming lost among the debris and, if not spayed or neutered, breeding seemingly endless litters of unwanted animals to cope with in the storm’s wake.
State and local health departments are likely to issue health advisories or recommendations particular to local conditions through the media. Pay attention to them to stay safe.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and its agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration, said the overwhelming majority of injuries during a hurricane are cuts caused by flying glass or other debris. Other injuries include puncture wounds resulting from exposed nails, metal, or glass and bone fractures, according to its hurricane preparedness tips page at http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/hurricane.html. These agencies also said it’s critical to remember to practice basic hygiene during the emergency period.
People in these parts by now know to keep first aid kits and emergency supplies on hand at all times, thanks to their Hurricane Hugo experiences.
They also should know that now is the time to check insurance policies to make sure their coverage includes provisions for hurricane damage and flooding, which isn’t normally included in ordinary homeowner’s insurance policies.
The good news is, we haven’t seen a hurricane the likes of Hugo here in several years.
The better news is that we have a greater understanding of what to do in terms of preparedness and recovery when the next big hurricane comes our way.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).