Hurricane Facts
Florida is known to be Hurricane Alley. South Florida, among other places in Florida, is the hottest stop where most Hurricanes pass through. Review the following information to see if you are ready for this year's Hurricane season.
Before the Storm/Hurricane
There are several things you will want or need to have to be prepared and ready to ride out the powerful storm: (the idea is to stack up on food and water for 3 days)
- Bottled Water (have about 2-3 packs just in case)
- Non-perishable food (e.g., anything that does not require cooking such as; canned-ready-to-eat fruits, meats, vegetables, etc, chips, cereal, crackers, granola bars cookies, etc.)
- A supply of batteries
- Several working flashlights or lanterns
- A battery-operated radio
- Have Cash on you (enough to get by as city employees work to get the powers back up)
- Keep First Aid Supplies near
- Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. (Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources OUTSIDE, about 20 feet away from windows and doors. Protected the generators from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.)
- Fill up on gas on all your vehicles and gas containers (for Generators if you have any. Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.)
Be Prepared
- Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. If you lose power, food will last longer. (Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is restored.)
- Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
- If you live in a mobile home or in a low-grounded (prone to flooding) areas, find and stay at your nearest Hurricane Shelter
- If you, or the area you live in, were asked to evacuate, it is wise to do so
- Have a plan
- If you have pets, have a pet plan. In case of any emergency get a hold of your pet's vet or local humane society for information on preparing your pets.
- Board up windows or put up your hurricane shutters.(Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.)
- Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
- Make sure you know which County or Parish you live in and keep up to date with them during the storm.
- Get familiar with the Evacuation routes
- If you plan to ride out the storm, let family and friends know where you will be during the storm (Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.)
During a Storm/Hurricane
- Always stay indoors during a hurricane, because strong winds can pick up and blow objects around
- Stay away from windows
- Unplug everything from your wall to avoid power surges (PCs, all electronics, TV, etc)
- To pass time, pull out any board games or a deck of cards you may have, get the family together and enjoy some family time while riding the storm out (and at a safe place of the house)
After the Storm/Hurricane
Just because the storm is gone does not mean it is safe to go out and go about your daily activities. Now that the storm has past, here are a list of things you need be to very caution for.
- Listen to local officials for updates and instructions
- Watch out for downed power lines (Do NOT handle any loose cables)
- Watch out for debris
- Stay away from unknown/unclear waters (such as pot holes, floods, or any kind of flooded areas. water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away)
- Avoid walking or driving through flooded areas Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media
- Check on neighbors
- Return home ONLY when authorities indicate it is safe to do so
- Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim
- Do what you can to prevent further damage toy our property (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof) as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm
- Don't drink tap water until officials say it is safe to do so
For more information
For a suggested list of food supplies and other supplies needed to be prepared and ready for any Hurricane, visit this page: Before a Hurricane Supplies
For more information on what you can do to be better prepared and ready for this year's Hurricane Season please visit this page: Guide to Hurricane Preparedness
For more in-depth details about Hurricanes and how they are developed visit this page: Hurricane Development and Cyclones
For more information on what you can do to be better prepared and ready for this year's Hurricane Season please visit this page: Guide to Hurricane Preparedness
For more in-depth details about Hurricanes and how they are developed visit this page: Hurricane Development and Cyclones