Category 3 storm finally hits Bermuda, we will know in advance what to expect.

Predictions can be made merely from what is already known of hurricanes: damage, for instance, will be "extensive''.

However, a number of precautions can be taken both to minimise storm damage, and to reduce the "snowball effect'' of further damage in the wake of the storm.

While this is not aimed at scaring people, it must be admitted that one of the lessons that Hurricane Emily taught us was that we were not prepared and only by good fortune rather than awareness or design were we spared a more serious blow.

Consider: a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 96 to 112 knots is heading towards Bermuda and is expected to hit at 3 am. What do we do? The first and most difficult thing not to do is panic. Most Bermuda houses are reasonably well designed and built.

However there is the possibility of weather damage on all buildings unless built to withstand a nearby nuclear blast.

Activity is one of the best ways of reassurance. In this spirit, make sure that you have carried out all the preparations listed in the preceding sections and let's take a look at the inside of the house.

There are two ways that a storm can damage a building. The first is by the wind picking up debris and throwing it against the building. The second is by wind pressure. Moving air is a phenomenally powerful force.

The air causes damage in two ways, which are pressure and vacuum. The pressure of a storm wind against a large window can shatter it, spraying the room with glass. The wind then builds up pressure in the room and forces its way out.

This could be through a door (and into other rooms), through a window in the side or rear of the room or through the ceiling or roof.

Flying debris has a snowball effect Meanwhile the curved shape of the roof acts like the curved top of an aeroplane wing and creates a slight vacuum above it. This alone can be sufficient to lift a slate roof, but combined with the pressure from inside a damaged building a strong wind is more than capable of relocating the roof down the road.

And the pieces of debris can fly and damage other buildings, causing a snowball effect.

One hundred knots is the wind speed at which all this begins to happen: 100 knots is when light objects being carried in the wind have sufficient energy to damage things they hit.

We have all experienced the problems of walking into a strong wind and those of us who ride mopeds know how much slower we go when driving into a strong headwind. When a sky diver jumps out of an aeroplane they quickly reach a speed of about 110 knots, but unless they go head first they won't go much faster.

That means a wind of over 110 knots has enough energy to pick up a person from the ground and hurl them through the air.

There are two primary places that damage will start to occur on buildings.

These are the windows and the roof. Once damage has happened this can quickly spread to other parts of the building, either by flying debris or wind pressure.

Once the windows and doors have been covered there is very little more that can be done in that regard, but plenty that can be done inside.

The first thing to do is identify your safest room. This should be an inside room, or a room whose windows face a bank, protecting them from direct wind.

Avoid rooms where there is a large area of glass, even if shuttered.

The lower down in the house the room is, the better. The basement would be good, unless the floor is below 25 feet above high tide.

Believe it or not, a downstairs bathroom is often an ideally protected place with small or no windows, but unfortunately they are often not a practical solution for more than one occupant! Hallways and the space under the stairs are often overlooked refuges as well.

Once identified this room should be prepared, together with the other rooms in the house.

Prepare your "refuge'' by removing all unnecessary items such as pictures, curtains and knick-knacks and putting them away safely. If the wind does get into a room the last thing you will want to fight is a curtain which will act like a sail and be extremely difficult to control. Similarly pictures and objects d'art make fine items for the wind to smash. Prepare sleeping arrangements for your family and arrange them so that the way out of the room is not likely to be blocked in the night. Make sure that there is an adequate supply of food and drinks to hand, together with paper towels and a trash can.

Entertainment and toys for the children should not be left out, as you may spend a number of hours shut up in the room. If you must use candles or an oil lamp make sure that they are located away from a window and secured firmly against being knocked over. A bucket of sand or a fire extinguisher should be handy.

Other necessary items might include a battery operated radio, flashlights, spare batteries, paper and pens for writing notes and a first aid kit.

In other rooms repeat the storage of other loose items, especially valuable pictures. Use the curtains to wrap up fragile objects and secure them in closets.

Make sure that there is a clear passage around each room should you need to move quickly. Items like standing lamps that could easily blow over could be placed more safely behind a couch on the floor.

Protect your electrical appliances. As you go through each room unplug the video, stereo and any other unneeded appliances. Coil the cable where it can be seen so that you know it is disconnected. If you must use the TV make sure that you can get to the electrical and antenna (or cable TV) connection should it be necessary to do so.

The following appliances are susceptible to damage from electrical interference that can originate from the electrical power lines, the telephone lines or the cable TV connection.

Fax machines, computers, video games, televisions, video recorders, satellite dish receivers, microwaves, radios, clock radios, ni-cad battery chargers and so on.

Less susceptible appliances and devices that can be left plugged in are refrigerators, electric stoves, pumps, washing machines, dryers, closet heaters, air conditioners, etc. If not being used it does no harm to disconnect them.

If you have tools, put them in a safe place where you can find them. Pieces of plywood and pieces of one or two inch by four inch wood are useful if you have a saw. Full sheets of plywood take too long to cut by hand and are difficult to work with.

A roll of polyethylene or a tarpaulin are useful items to have, but in a pinch just strong trash bags can provide protection from a leaking roof.

Planning is important make sure that you plan your time-table so that everyone has had a bath or shower before you "settle in.'' After showering, clean and fill the bathtub with cold water enabling a ready source for washing and flushing.

If the plug has a slow leak cocer it with a piece of clear film kitchen wrap.

The water pressure will hold it in place. Do not use this water for drinking as it might be contaminated. Store drinking water in clean containers.

Unless you must stay awake, avoid foods and drinks with stimulants might keep you awake, and alcohol in any form.

Save the coffee for when you need it and the alcohol for the post-storm party.

Storm force winds can begin hours before the hurricane force winds arrive and last for many hours after the hurricane has passed. Be prepared to spend some time in your refuge room and as soon as the winds "get up'' settle in there and relax. By the time the winds have risen it is too late to do anything outside safely and you should have prepared the inside.

Close and lock all external doors. If they have a tendency to leak in strong winds put down towels. Close internal doors firmly, especially check cupboard and closet doors.

Opening a window on the side of the house is common and has its advantages and disadvantages. It will help ventilation, but be sure that it is on the side away from the wind.

Make sure it is a window you can reach to close easily and has a shutter. If the wind direction shifts, be prepared to close it and open another. If you are not sure about opening any window, don't bother, it really isn't necessary.

Lastly, as you settle down, do so dressed and wearing sensible shoes sturdy enough to walk over broken glass should if necessary.

Things happen quickly and undressed without shoes, you may find yourself unprepared.

Falling debris can cause real damage to cars Even buildings can suffer in the face of the strong winds which accompany a Category 3 hurricane HURRICANES SUPPLEMENT HUR