Hurricane Preparedness Guide: Are You Ready?

Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information. Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads. Make a family emergency communication plan. Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.” HURRICANE CONTACT NUMBERS HOTLINES FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE/REGISTRATION 800-621-3362 TTY: 800-462-7585 U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 800-659-2955 TTY: 800-877-8339 FEMA FRAUD HOTLINE 866-720-5721 REPORT FALSE CLAIMS 800-323-8603 STATE OF FLORIDA EMERGENCY INFO 24-HOUR HOTLINE 800-342-3557 SAFE & WELLNESS HELPLINE TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE OK OR IN A SHELTER 844-221-4160 FINANCIAL SERVICES HURRICANE HELP LINE 800-227-8676 RED CROSS FOOD, SHELTER AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 866-438-4636 DCF INFORMATION 866-762-2237 ELDER HELPLINE 800-963-5337 ATTORNEY GENERAL'S PRICE GOUGING HOTLINE 866-966-7226 REPORT UNLICENSED ACTIVITY 866-532-1440 AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER SERVICES 800-435-7352 DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES 239-533-7387 - LEE COUNTY 239-252-7387 - COLLIER   EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS LEE 239-533-0622 COLLIER 239-252-3600 CHARLOTTE 941-833-4000 DESOTO 863-993-4831 GLADES 863-946-6020 HENDRY 863-674-5400   CONTRACTOR INFORMATION DIVISION OF WORKERS' COPENSATION 800-742-2214 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS 407-260-1511 FLORIDA WALL AND CEIILING CONTRACTORS 407-260-1313 ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF FLORIDA 813-879-8064 AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFICES LEE, HEDRY, GLADES AND COLLIER 239-596-6868 CHARLOTTE & DESOTO 941-629-4345   POWER COMPANIES FPL 800-468-8243 LCEC 800-599-2356 GLADES ELECTRIC CO-OP 800-226-4024 SCHOOL DISTRICT 863-674-4555 OR 863-674-4622 IN CLEWISTON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 863-675-5255 OR 863-983-1594 IN CLEWISTON COUNTY UTILITIES 863-675-5376 HEALTH DEPARTMENT 863-674-4041 OR 863-983-1408 IN CLEWISTON BUILDING & ZONING 836-675-5245 OR 863-983-1463 ONLINE RESOURCES NHC.NOAA.GOV FEMA.GOV REDCROSS.ORG MYFLORIDACFO.COM FLASH.ORG FMO1.ORG     Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, so before hurricane season trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe. Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property. Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors. Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. Consider building a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter designed for protection from high-winds and in locations above flooding levels.   Lee County: Emergency Operations Center 239-533-0622 Bonita Springs YMCA - Bonita Springs Island Coast High School - Cape Coral Estero Recreation Center - Estero Germain Arena - Estero South Fort Myers High School (Pet Friendly) - Fort Myers E. Lee County High School (Pet Friendly) - Lehigh Acres Harns Marsh Elementary School - Lehigh Acres Harns Marsh Middle School - Lehigh Acres Mirror Lakes Elementary School - Lehigh Acres Varsity Lakes Middle School - Lehigh Acres Veterans Park Recreation Center - Lehigh Acres Collier County Emergency Operations Center: 239-252-3600 Highlands Elementary School - Immokalee Immokalee Friendship House - Immokalee Immokalee High School - Immokalee Immokalee Middle School - Immokalee Pinecrest Elementary School - Immokalee Village Oaks Elementary - Immokalee Barron Collier High School - Naples Big Cypress Elementary - Naples Corkscrew Elem/Middle School - Naples Cypress Palm Middle School - Naples Golden Gate Intermediate School - Naples Golden Gate Middle School - Naples Golden Gate High School - Naples Golden Terrace Intermediate School - Naples Gulf Coast Intermediate School - Naples Gulf Coast High School - Naples Laurel Oak Elementary School - Naples Lely High School - Naples Mike Davis Elementary School Naples High School North collier Regional Park (Pet Friendly) - Pre-registration is required North Naples Middle School Oakridge Middle School Palmetto Ridge High School - Special Needs Pelican Marsh Elementary Sable Palm Elementary School St. Matthews House Veterans Community Park Vineyards Elementary School   Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center: 941-833-4000 *All Charlotte County shelters are now Pet Friendly Lemon Bay High School - Englewood Myakka River Elementary School - Englewood Kingsway Elementary School - Port Charlotte Liberty Elementary School - Port Charlotte Meadow Park Elementary School - Port Charlotte Murdock Middle School - Port Charlotte Port Charlotte High School - Port Charlotte Port Charlotte Middle School - Port Charlotte Sallie Jones Elementary School -Punta Gorda South County Regional Park -Punta Gorda L.A. Ainger MIddle School - Rotonda Vineland Elementary School - Rotonda Hendry County Emergency Operations Center: 863-674-5400 Central Elementary School - Clewiston Clewiston High School - Clewiston Clewiston Middle School (Primary Shelter) - Clewiston Eastside Elementary School - Clewiston Westside Elementary School - Clewiston Country Oaks Elementary School - LaBelle LaBelle Elementary School - LaBelle LaBelle High School - LaBelle LaBelle Middle School (Primary Shelter) - LaBelle   Glades County Emergency Operations Center: 863-946-6020 Buckhead Ridge VFW - Buckhead Ridge Maple Grove Baptist Church - Lakeport Glades County Health Department (Special Needs) - Moore Haven Moore Haven High School - Moore Haven Muse Community Assn. - Muse West Glades Elementary (Special Needs) - Muse Desoto County Emergency Operations Center - 863-993-4831 Desoto Middle School -Arcadia South Florida State College (Special Needs) -Arcadia   Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs. Steps to take: Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials. Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets. Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs. Steps to take: Follow evacuation orders from local officials, if given. Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media. Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location. Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions. 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. Cover all of your home’s windows. 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.   Turn on your TV or radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions. Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies. 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. Review your evacuation plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead. Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes. Listen to local officials for updates and instructions. Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media. Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe. Watch out for debris and downed power lines. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away. Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim. Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.