Remembering Andrew, Anticipating Bonnie With Safety Tips

Six years ago, Hurricane Andrew hit the coast of Florida and crossed into Louisiana, devastating communities in its path. With wind gusts up to 175 mph and high tides rising 18 feet, the ferocious hurricane caused 47 deaths, more than $30 billion in damages and left literally hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Today, Hurricane Andrew remains the most costly storm in U.S. history.

With Hurricane Bonnie building in intensity, the effects of Hurricane Andrew can still be felt, and residents of South Florida and Louisiana will never forget the experience of living through a severe weather disaster. To equip Americans with the preparation skills to survive weather disasters, The Weather Channel and The American Red Cross created Project SafeSide: Keeping America Ahead of the Storm.

The national program offers families and communities vital information on how to prepare themselves now, before disaster strikes. With hurricane season well underway, Project SafeSide offers the following hurricane safety information:

Know the difference between a hurricane watch and a warning. A watch means that tropical storm conditions with sustained winds up to 74 mph are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. A hurricane warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in your area within the next 24 hours.

Know your evacuation routes. Get a good map and plan various evacuation routes in case your main route is blocked. Always pay attention to a hurricane evacuation notice. Local officials often advise evacuation well before a hurricane makes landfall because of their unpredictable nature and the length of time needed to evacuate in some areas.

Develop a family disaster plan that covers everyone in the family, including your pet. Ensure that your family's disaster supplies kit is stocked and fresh, and remember to include important papers, such as insurance policies, and have flashlights instead of candles.

For detailed information and a checklist on assembling a family disaster supplies kit, access the Red Cross at www.redcross.org/disaster/safety.