Hurricane Alertness in Florida
A List of Suggestions for safety

The following Florida hurricane preparation information is introduced to help you to get ready for any hurricane or tropical storm. There is information on developing a family plan, making a family communications plan, building a disaster supply kit for your home, what to do if you have to leave your home, and how to deal with pets and livestock. Please read over this hurricane alertness information and discuss the it with ALL members of your family. The Wells Law Group wants you to be safe!

Developing a family plan

The first step in becoming prepared for an emergency as a family, is to discover what kinds of things could affect you where you live, work and go to school. This certainly means major disasters such as a hurricane, tornado or windstorm, fire, floods or chemical spills, but could be something that affects just your family, like an unexpected illness, or other event.

Here are some simple steps to get you started with your plan.

• Talk about what might happen: hurricane, tornado, fire, flooding, etc.
• How would you find out about it?
• Do you know how to contact each other?
• What would you need if you couldn't get out for a few days?
• What are the most important things to take with you if you have to leave? If you go to a shelter, you may need pillows, blankets, and snacks to eat until the shelter is fully functioning. Think about financial papers, check books, credit cards, etc.
• Plan together about the special needs of your children and others in your family.
• Is there a blanket or special toy loved by a child?
• Is there a member of your family who requires special accommodations?
• Plan for your pets as well. Most shelters will not accept pets.
• Check with your local Emergency Management Director about pets. Take extra food and water for your pet if you have to leave.
  
  
  

Make a Family Communications Plan

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes. During a major disaster local phone systems and cell phone systems may be jammed.

• Plan how you will contact one another and what you will do.
• Establish an out-of-town contact, perhaps a relative or friend.
• Establish a meeting place outside your neighborhood, perhaps a family member or friend.
• Make sure everyone has the contact numbers and addresses of the out-of-town contact and the meeting place.
• Make sure family members have each other's contact numbers at work, school, daycare, etc.
• Keep phone numbers up to date.

What will you need if you can't get out for three days and don't have electricity? Here are some suggestions:

• 3-day supply of nonperishable food that does not require cooking
• 3-day supply of water (1 gallon of water per person, per day)
• Portable, battery powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Cash
• Telephone that works if the electricity is off
• A safe way to heat food and water: camp stove, etc.
• A way to keep warm if the power is off: sleeping bags, extra blankets, etc.
• 3-day supply of your medicines on hand at all times
• Items for infants: formula, diapers, etc.
• Food and water for pets
  
  
  

As you make your family plan, consider what emergency situations might require you to evacuate from your home. Preparing ahead will help you if events require you to leave your home.

Remember, if your local officials advise you to evacuate, it is because your life is at risk if you stay. Please obey any evacuation orders.

If you must evacuate your Florida home and have time to prepare, consider the following important items:

• Determine where you will go and make appropriate arrangements (reservations in a hotel, advise family or friends you are coming to them, etc.)
• Maintain at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
• Plan to take the following:
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Season-appropriate clothing for each family member for several days
  • Personal hygiene supplies appropriate for each family member
  • Prescription medications and a list of them, by family member, name and strength
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • Important records and documents pre assembled in a waterproof container
  • Portable radio, either battery or hand crank, extra batteries
  • Flashlight, battery or hand crank, extra batteries
  • Snacks and food not requiring refrigeration, can opener if needed
  • Games, cards, crossword puzzles, entertainment items
  • First Aid Kit and Guide
  • Your pet(s) in pet carriers together with ownership documentation, immunization records, food, water, dishes, leashes (Note: Ensure your destination will accept pets!)

Before you evacuate your home and if you have time

• Turn off water, gas and electricity if instructed to do so
• Notify a friend, neighbor or relative where you plan to go

Animals: Pets and Livestock

Do you have pets or livestock? Being prepared for a a flood, winter storm, forest fire, hurricane, earthquake, hazardous material leak or dam failure notification is the best gift you can give them. Think about what it would take to get through a disaster.

A plan should be made for all situations.

Hurricane! Evacuation or Shelter?

Plan ahead for possible evacuations

• Call motels to see what the policy is for pets
• Contact local authorities about shelters for pets and/or livestock
• Contact friends and family outside your area about housing your animals
• Make arrangements with family or friends to take care of your animals if you happen to be away
• Post your evacuation plans near the door

If you need to evacuate

• Always evacuate if advised to do
• Evacuate your pets and/or livestock too according to your plan

If you need to go to a shelter

• Keep in mind that shelters may require proof of immunizations before they will accept them
• Shelters may require proof of ownership (when you return to get the animal). Take a picture of yourself with your pet and put the picture with your important papers.
• Obtain ID tags for all pets, and/or have them micro-chipped for identifications. Most vets or animal shelters can do this for a small fee.
• Make arrangements with family or friends to take care of your animals if you happen to be away
• Keep a list with names and phone numbers, including your veterinarian, by the door

"Shelter in Place" (keeping the animals safe on site if the emergency doesn’t require evacuation.

• Do you need a generator?
• Do you have a way to store fuel?
• Do you need extra blankets?

Food/Water

Food and water are essential to survival. Always have enough food, water and supplies for at least 72 Hours (three days).

• Do you have extra grain or hay?
• Do you have extra pet food?
• Is there a place where you can haul and store water?
  

Medications

Other items to consider for your livestock or pets are necessary medications. Talk to your veterinarian for advice on this issue and plan accordingly. Medications and medical records should be stored in a weather proof container.