• Preparation tasks
• If you can stay home
• If you must evacuate
• Older Adults
• Home Bound Citizens
• Pets
• Business
• Tips

THE SIMPLE TASKS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE AND YOUR HOME

• Listen for weather updates on local stations and on NOAA Weather Radio. Don't trust rumors, and stay tuned to the latest information.
• Check your survival kit. Obtain any needed items.
• Refill prescriptions. Maintain at least a one-month supply during hurricane season.
• Clear yard of all loose objects, such as potted plants, bicycles and trash cans.
• Protect your windows and glass doors! Brace double entry and garage doors at the top and bottom. (see Protecting Your Windows)
• Fill your car's gas tank, check oil, water, and tires. Gas pumps don't operate without electricity.
• Secure your boat early. Drawbridges will be closed to boat traffic after an evacuation order is issued.
• Leave the swimming pool filled and super-chlorinated. Cover the filtration system.
• Get cash. Banks and ATMs won't be in operation without electricity and few stores will be able to accept credit cards.

To Top

IF YOU CAN STAY HOME

• Clean containers for drinking water and your bath tub for storing cleaning water. Line the tub with plastic sheeting or clean shower curtain, or caulk the drain with silicone caulking - it will hold water for weeks and it cleans up easily when dry. Plan on three gallons per person, per day for all uses.
• Obtain at least a two-week supply of non-perishable foods. Don't forget a non-electric can opener.
• During the storm, stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in your home - an interior, reinforced room, closet or bathroom on the lower floor.
• Wait for official word that the danger is over. Don't be fooled by the storm's calm "eye".
• If flooding threatens your home, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
• Offer your home as shelter to friends or relatives who live in vulnerable areas or mobile homes.
• If you lose power, turn off major appliances, such as the air conditioner and water heater to reduce damage.

To Top

• Take your Hurricane Survival Kit with you!
• Take important papers with you, including your driver's license, special medical information, insurance policies and property inventories.
• Let friends and relatives know where you are going.
• Make sure your neighbors have a safe ride.
• Lock windows and doors.
• Turn off electricity at the main breaker.

To Top

In Florida, we are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and elders are especially susceptible to their effects. Those who live alone, or are without the support of family or friends, must take special precautions in the event of an emergency situation. People who are frail or disabled (either mentally or physically) may need special assistance from family members, friends or social service agencies. Older adults who are also care givers may require outside assistance. Excessive stress and anxiety can contribute to increased episodes of illness, particularly for persons with heart disease and other illnesses. If an older adult lives in a nursing home, congregate facility (ACLF) or boarding home, the administrator should be contacted to learn about the evacuation plan for that facility.

To Top

HOME HEALTH CARE & HOME BOUND PATIENTS

• Notify your health agency where you will be during a hurricane and when care can be re-established.
• If you are homebound and under the care of a physician, but not a home health agency, contact your physician.
• If you require respirators or other electric-dependent medical equipment, you should make prior medical arrangements with your physician.
• If you require oxygen, check with your supplier about emergency plans.
• If you evacuate, remember to take medications, written instructions regarding your care, special equipment and bedding with you.
• If you need assistance in an evacuation, please register NOW with your County Emergency Management Agency.

To Top

PROTECT YOUR PETS (see shelters that accept pets)

Pet owners are responsible for hurricane planning for their pet. If you plan to evacuate, plan for your pet as well. Take your Pet Survival Kit if you go to friends, relatives or a hotel. The Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets, so if you plan to go to public shelter, make other provisions for your pet. Limited space is available at "pet shelters". Contact your veterinarian, the Humane Society, or Animal Control for more information. After the storm has passed, be careful in allowing your pet outdoors. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet could easily be confused and become lost. Downed power lines, animals, and insects brought in with high water could present real dangers to your pet. Take care not to allow your pet to consume food or water which may have become contaminated. For more information call your county's animal control.

PET SURVIVAL KIT

Proper ID collar and rabies tag/license *.
Carrier or cage
Leash.
Ample food and water supply (at least two weeks).
Water/food bowls.
Any necessary medication(s).
Specific care instructions.
Newspapers, cat litter, scoop, plastic trash bags for handling waste.
Proper ID on all belongings.
Non-electric can opener.

* Make sure your pets have had all their shots within the past 12 months. Pet shelters will require proof of vaccinations.

To Top

PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS

Virtually all economic activity in the devastated south Dade area ceased following Hurricane Andrew. An estimated 8000 businesses and 100,000 jobs were seriously impacted. We could experience even more severe losses given a storm the magnitude of Andrew. Use the following checklist to prepare a Business Disaster Recovery Plan:

• Know Your Risk.
  Is your business located where you are vulnerable to storm surge or freshwater flooding? Check your hurricane evacuation level and FEMA flood maps! Is your workplace vulnerable to hurricane force winds? Have your building inspected by a licensed professional.
  • Take the Necessary Precautions.
  • If a storm threatens, secure your building.
    Cover windows with shutters, plywood or window protection film. Cover and move equipment/furniture to a secured area. Protect your data with backup files. If dependent on data processing, consider an alternate site. Make provisions for alternate communications and power. Make provisions to work with limited cash, water and sewer, and no power. Store emergency supplies at the office in case it is difficult to get around after the storm.
  • Protect Your Employees. Employee safety comes first!
    Prepare, distribute and exercise your business hurricane plan for recovery. Consider providing shelter to employees and their families. Also consider helping employees after the storm with essential supplies. Establish a rendezvous point and time for employees outside of the evacuation area in case damage is severe and communications are disrupted. Establish a call-down procedure for warning and post-storm communications.
  • Contact Your Customers & Suppliers.
    Share your communications and recovery plan in advance.
  • Review Your Insurance Coverage.
    Have your business appraised at least every five years. Inventory, document and photograph equipment, supplies and workplace. Have copies of insurance policies and customer service/home numbers. Obtain Business Interruption Insurance. Consider Account Receivable and Valuable Papers Coverage. Consider Income Destruction Insurance. If you have Business Owners Protection Package (BOPP), check co-insurance provisions.

• Remember: Flood damage requires separate coverage and is NOT covered under other insurance programs.

• After the storm, use caution before entering your business.
  Check for downed power lines, gas leaks, and evaluate any structural damage. If any electrical equipment is wet, contact an electrician. Prepare loss information for insurance claims, get independent estimates of damages. Take pictures before cleanup. Take appropriate steps to minimize additional water damage. Contact the local Small Business Administration (SBA) office for information on low interest disaster relief loans.

To Top

• Store valuables/irreplaceable treasures in your empty appliances - washer, dryer, dishwasher, oven, microwave.
• Pack some dry clothes in plastic bags,
• Put plastic bags over TV's, lamps, computers, etc.
• Keep a set of tools with you during the storm.
• Fill new garbage cans with water to use for flushing, bathing, washing clothes, etc.

To Top