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Be Prepared

Being prepared is having a Disaster Plan ready to implement when emergency strikes. You, your family and any others in your care should be familiar with the Family/Facility Disaster Plan PRIOR to the start of Hurricane Season. (Download flyer)

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family/facility. Know your dwelling’s and surrounding’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
• Determine where you will ride out the storm if you choose or are required to evacuate. For the latest shelter information, please call 311.
• Determine the “safe room” or the safest areas in your location. In certain circumstances, the safest areas may not be your home but within your community. This “room” should be one away from windows. Bathrooms and/or closets are examples of some typical “safe room” choices.
• Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles. For evacuation routes, and county pick up sites, please call 311.
• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
• Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate, and make sure their registration and vaccinations are current and that you keep a copy of this documentation readily available.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911. Make sure to have an “analog phone” to enable you to make phone calls should your area suffer a power outage.
• Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
• Have all of your important documents including deeds, identification, and insurance papers and contact information in a safe and waterproof location.
• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit. \
• Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

BEFORE THE STORM

• Have your Family Disaster Plan in Place
• Trim your trees and remove loose debris before Storm Season begins.
• Bring in or secure patio furniture
• Turn off or unplug any non-essential electrical equipment.
• Put up shutters or plywood on windows and doors
• Check to make sure Disaster Supply Kit is complete
• Do not put out trash or debris for pick up once a Hurricane Watch or Warning is issued. Any trash or debris must be brought in and/or secured until after the storm.
• Stay tuned to the radio and television for weather updates.
• If you are asked to evacuate, do so ASAP!
• Make arrangements for pets if you are going to a shelter that does not allow them.

DURING THE STORM

• Stay indoors until the “all clear” is issued.
• Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for updates and tracking of the storm.
• In case of broken windows, or damage to your home, retreat to your “safe room” and take cover.

AFTER THE STORM
Your first concern after the storm is the safety and health of your family and loved ones. Please use caution and be aware of safety issues to ensure the wellbeing of your family.

• Check for injuries and address the injured.
• Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster. Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring, and slippery floors.
•  Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.
• Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
• Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.
• Use caution when assessing the damage to your home and property.
• When clearing debris, please remember to separate natural vegetation from regular garbage to facilitate the clean up process.
• Once you have assessed the damage, contact your insurance company and/or FEMA if appropriate.

NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Emergency: 911
Shelter Information: 305-960-4NET or 311
Shelter Pick up sites: 305-960-4NET or 311
Evacuation Routes: 305-960-4NET or 311
Florida Power and Light: 1-800-4OUTAGE
FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA
American Red Cross : 305-644-1200