Thread by @FreedomFriesInc

(1) And so it begins. #HWStormWatch🇺🇸🌀

Hurricane #Bill got a name but he's of no concern to me.

It's the future Hurricane #Claudette⚜️, (lovely Cajun name) that means y'all in her path must get #prepping today.

#Danny #Elsa #Fred #Grace next nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin…

(2) Why on earth would a Kiwi fan of Margaret Thatcher be interested in US Gulf and Atlantic coast hurricanes?

Several reasons, but we'll start with being an earthquake survivor. (2011, NZ, 185 deaths in my city.)

It changed my life.

(3) Earthquakes can't be predicted. Anyone who claims they can is trying to scam you.

Hurricanes CAN be predicted.

So instead of despairing at the death toll each time, I promote #readiness and I fight #disinformation too.

(4) 2005's Hurricane Katrina was a tragedy that changed many of us. In honor of those killed or harmed, I promote readiness, neighborly co-operation, & policy change.

When I worked in gov, emergency mgmt was part of my job. I knew about pandemics, too.

ready.gov

(5) When Hurricane #Harvey hit Texas and Louisiana in 2017 I took notice of the response before during and after. Lessons were learned, at least here at my desk.

Then #Irma, #Maria and #Nate made for a historic year, and not in a good way.

Disinfo abounds, still.

(6) Still, #Harvey produced some great human triumphs didn't it? The #CajunNavy saved many lives. The generosity of local business and non-profits was heartwarming.

And ordinary people, like the #NoPoliticsOnTheBoat lady:

(7) My top safety messages:

#TurnAroundDontDrown - 12' of water can swamp your car, 6' if on foot.

Use extreme care with #generators. Put them not just outside the house but >20" away from it, (downwind.) And buy a carbon monoxide detector!

(8) Don't be a dick and go out sightseeing, esp. while the eye of the storm passes over. Often the sea will recede before crashing back in and killing you if you're still out there.

Think about others, eg the first responders who have to risk their lives trying to save you.

(9) I'll stop there. Ask me questions, let me know what topics you'd like me to cover. This is my 5th year of watching America's hurricanes - something I never intended but have come to enjoy.

I dabble in covering your earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires & terror attacks too.

(10) #HurricaneClaudette #Claudette now expected to form within 48 hrs.

Remember, landfall can be anywhere along the Gulf Coast. Impact can still be bad even at Cat 1 or TD. The closer it gets, the more we'll know.

If unvaccinated, it's wise to evacuate.

#HWStormWatch🌀🇺🇸

(11) I'm sure vaccination centers will close before landfall. Risk of Covid spread in post hurricane disruption is high.

The #DeltaVariant is easier to catch and can make you sicker. Vaccination is esp. important. So if you're not already vaxxed, please evacuate early.🙏