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
