About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 8, 2013)
Page 10, July 8, 2013, The Islander The Importance of Hurricane and Security Shutters There is a common misconcep tion in our area that we are immune from hurricanes. The truth is, we are and always have been vulnerable to tropical storm and hurricanes. We shouldn’t let a false sense of security keep us from being prepared for hur ricane season. The official Atlantic hurricane “season” begins June 1 and ends No vember 30 each year; however, this may vary. The 2013 Atlantic Seasons forecasts 16 named tropical storms, of which nine will be hurricanes of which five will be major hurricanes - catego ries 3, 4, or 5, with sustained wind speeds of 111 MPH or greater. NOAA has predicted an active At lantic Hurricane season for 2013. It is time to make plans to protect your family, possessions and your largest and most valuable investment - your home with hurricane and security shutters. The primary purpose of hurri cane shutters is to keep the roof on the house by preventing the glass windows or doors being breached or comprised. Should flying debris or the force of the wind break a window or door, it allows the structure to fill with air. As air fills the house (much like a bal loon) it causes internal pressurization. This effect, in combination with uplift, caused by negative pressure when wind blows over the roof, pushes and pulls the roof or at least a portion of the roof off. If the windows and doors are pro tected and not breached, there will not be internal pressurization. By keeping the roof out of jeopardy, the structure (your home or business) and contents are much less likely to suffer damage or destruction. The following are different types of hurricane and security shutters: Rolling Hurricane Shutters are the most convenient and easiest system to operate. These shutters can be motor ized and operated with a wall switch or hand held remote or with a manual hand crank. Accordion Hurricane Shutters stack on each side of the opening and pull together into the middle and lock with a key or push-in button. Colonial Hurricane and Decorative Shutters are easy to deploy and popu lar architectural styles. These shut ters are custom manufactured and available in any color. Storm Hurricane Panels are a great value and good protection in a hurricane. Bahama Hurricane Shutters are a popular architectural style and deploy in minutes. They offer protection from hurricanes and save on energy costs. Article provided Armor Storm Pro tection, Inc. Office: 843.717.1746 Toll Free 888.765.2929 Home Office and Plant: 5851 Lowcountry Drive, Ridge- land, SC 29936. Visit www.armor- stormprotection.com. □ Health Department can help those with medical needs during hurricane evacuation In preparation for hurricane sea son, local health department officials are encouraging those who meet cer tain criteria to apply to the Functional and Medical Needs Registry. Resi dents should plan ahead and apply to be on the Registry before a storm threatens the area. The Glynn County Health Depart ment maintains the Registry which is made up of residents who may re quire transport and medical assis tance during a hurricane evacuation and have no other resources such as family, friends, neighbors, or church members to help them if they need to evacuate. Residents must apply to be on the registry. Those on the Registry will be evacu ated to an American Red Cross shelter in an inland county that will likely be in a gymnasium or similar setting and could be several hours away. The Registry is truly a last resort, but if a hurricane is threatening the area, it is important that Health De partment officials know where the most vulnerable residents are locat ed so that evacuation assistance can be provided to them. It is important to note that people living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes are not eligible for the Functional and Medical Needs Registry and must follow their facil ity’s emergency plan. Functional needs registrants/ clients are defined as those individu als who may need services to main tain their independence in a shelter. This includes children and adults with physical, sensory, mental health, and cognitive and/or intellectual disabili ties affecting their ability to function independently without assistance. Medical needs registrants/clients are defined as those individuals who require support of trained medical professionals. This includes those in dividuals who may need assistance with managing unstable, terminal, or contagious conditions that require ob servation and ongoing treatment. To apply, residents should call the Glynn County Health Department at 912-279-3350. The application and protected health information autho rization form also can be downloaded by going to www.gachd.org/glynn and clicking on the Functional and Medi cal Needs Registration Information link on the right-hand side of the page. □ July WOW Mammograms Monday-Tuesday, July 8-9, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Glynn Comity Health Department, 2747 4th St., Brunswick Call 912- 279- 3351 for information. Wednesday, July 10, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. McIntosh County Health Department, 1335 GA Hwy 57, Townsend Call 912- 832-5473 ext. 110 for information. □ Call now to request a quote or book your appointment online. HVfffA/tlFtJJf# 843-717-1746 888-765-2929 www.ArmorStormProtection.com VISIT OUR MFG. PLANT AND SHOWROOM: 51 Lowcountry Drive Ridgeland, South Carolina 29936 uxzCb & luAAAAs&2*ve/. iPvspa/Lecb. Bahama Shutters Fabric Panels
