News

Hurricane Season Begins Saturday

Saturday marks the first day of hurricane season, and we wanted to take a moment to remind you about how to be prepared for a hurricane and provide useful resources if a hurricane does hit Florida. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season will be “active or extremely active” with as many as 20 named storms. We want to help ensure your family is prepared for this year’s hurricane season in case a hurricane or tropical storm hits Florida.

If you hear about a potential storm cell approaching, be sure to watch and listen to your local news or log on to the National Hurricane Service’s website for updates. Always remember that a hurricane watch is when a hurricane is possible, and a hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected.

Here are a few tips to prepare for the 2013 hurricane season, which officially begins June 1 and ends November 30.

•  Know your area and the evacuation routes. They are available on the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website.
• Have a plan to prepare your home and/or business with storm shutters or plywood. Bring items inside that could be picked up by the wind and break windows – like lawn furniture, toys or trash cans.
• Make sure you know where you home’s safe room is located. FEMA’s website details what a safe room should look like.
• Keep your automobile fully fueled during hurricane watches and warnings. If electric power is cut off, gas stations may not be able to operate pumps for several days.
• Be prepared to survive on your own for a few days. Assemble a disaster kit with a battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, blankets, clothing, food, water, and prescription medications and needed medical supplies. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a good list of items to have on hand ready.
• Know how to shut off utilities. Know where gas pilots are located and how the heating and air-conditioning system works. If you have any questions, contact your local utility company.
• Gather your personal documents – insurance policy information, emergency contact information, and any other vital documents – somewhere they can be easily located and ready to take with you should you have to evacuate your home.

Remember, if you need help or have questions, please contact any of our offices and we will do our best to help.

Some other useful resources:

• FEMA: What should I do BEFORE a hurricane?
• FEMA: What should I do DURING a hurricane?
• FEMA: What should I do AFTER a hurricane?
• Red Cross: Hurricane App
• Red Cross: What should I do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER a hurricane?
• National Hurricane Center’s Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
• National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Preparedness
• The Weather Channel’s Hurricane Tracker
• Florida Division of Emergency Management