Hurricane preparedness tips for northeast Florida
As the 2013 Hurricane Season becomes increasingly active, it’s important to be prepared for a natural disaster.
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to assemble your family’s disaster kit and establish a plan in case a storm strikes close to home.
Here are some commonly recommended disaster kit supplies:
- Water. Plan to have at least a three- to five-day supply, with one gallon of water per-person, per-day.
- Food. Stock up on at least three to five days’ worth of nonperishable foods, such as dry or canned goods, and don’t forget a manually-operated can opener.
- Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Supplies such as moist towelettes for personal bathing
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities as needed
- Cell phone with charger
- Prescription medications
- Hand sanitizer
- Matches or lighters in a waterproof container
- Cash, in case of electric outages that would make ATMs inaccessible
This list will get you started, but there are additional items you can set aside depending on your needs. Consider including important documents in a waterproof, portable container; a change of clothes and sturdy shoes; games or entertainment for small children; diapers and formula for infants; or anything your pets may need, including medications. Just remember, stock your kit with any items you don’t want to go without if disaster strikes.
It’s also wise to make a small disaster kit to keep at your workplace and a kit for each of your vehicles.
If you have a specific medical condition you are concerned about, talk to your doctor about how best to manage your condition during a severe storm. If you have a condition that makes you medically dependent on electricity, you need to register to use your community’s Special Medical Needs Shelter. Below are links to the registration forms for several local counties’ shelters, as well as phone numbers to call with questions.
- In Clay County, call 904-284-7703 or use this link.
- In Duval County call 904-630-2489 or use this link.
- In Nassau County, call 904-548-4980 or use this link.
- In St. Johns County, call 904-824-5550 or use this link.
In addition to preparing your kit, establish an emergency evacuation plan, and familiarize yourself with the evacuation route your family would need to take. In case you are unable to evacuate, establish a "safe room" in your home.
Plan not only for the storm, itself, but also for the recovery, which can include a long period of time in which resources we take for granted—electricity, running water, phone services and gasoline—may not be readily available.
Never use a generator inside your home, because it could expose your family to deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Avoid walking in floodwater, which could be contaminated. Watch out for fallen electric wires and other debris when you begin to clean your property.
For more information about hurricane preparedness, visit: