15 steps to prepare for a Hurricane:
- Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit including:
- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Non-perishable foods for at least 7-10 days.
***Non Perishable foods include:
- canned soup, fruit, vegetables, juice, and milk
- bread, crackers, jelly, and peanut butter
- dried fruit, beef jerky, nuts or trail mixes
- cooking tool and fuel i.e. grill, charcoal, propane, etc.
- dry breakfast foods: cereal, granola bars, pop tarts
- hard cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey jack, Swiss
- At least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Collect at least 3 days of water per person.
- NON-electric can opener.
- Pet food and water for one week.
- Disposable silverware, plates, napkins, and plastic bags with zipper closures.
- Protective clothing, rainwear, bedding, sleeping bag, pillow, and an extra pair of shoes.
- Battery powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Written instructions on how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (You will need to contact your power, water, and or gas company to turn service back on.)
- Important documents i.e. insurance cards, checking account info, birth certificate…in a waterproof container.
- Tools – hammer, nails, drill, screwdriver.
- Heavy duty garbage bags.
- Charge your cell phone.
- Books and games.
- Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan: identify where you could go ahead of time if you are told to evacuate – choose several locations i.e. shelter, family, friends or hotel. Keep on hand the telephone numbers for these alternatives as well as a map and directions.
- Make a communication plan with parents/guardians/family/friends. Talk with family about your plans for evacuation during the storm. Make sure they have your contact information (i.e. cell phone number). Plan with family when you will contact them and stick to the plan. Consider utilizing a friend or family member out of state as a point person for communication.
- Listen to the radio or watch TV for evacuation instructions and updates on the storm path. If you are advised to evacuate do so IMMEDIATELY.
- What to take and do when evacuating:
To Take:
- Prescription medications.
- Bedding and clothing including sleeping bag, pillow.
- Bottled water, non-perishable foods, first aid kit, battery operated radio, flashlight, and batteries.
- Cash, car keys, cell phone, maps, directions, shelter locations, and contact information.
- Documents including driver's license, social security card, proof of residence, insurance papers, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records…etc.
To Do:
- Unplug all electrical appliances including computers, TV's etc.
- Move all valuables i.e. shoes, rugs, books, etc off the floor to avoid damage in case of flooding.
- Place loose belongings in closets or drawers.
- If you have a car that you are leaving at your home make sure the windows are up, the emergency brake is set and your doors are closed and locked.
- Close windows, drapes/curtains and lock your doors.
- Prepare for high winds: install hurricane shutters or purchase precut outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and pre-drill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Recheck your mobile or manufactured home tie-downs.
- Prepare the exterior of your house or apartment: bring in any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, trash cans, recycling bins, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
- Fill your car's gas tank.
- Stock up on the items in your Disaster Supplies Kit including: water, non perishable foods, batteries, flashlights, first aid supplies, and medications…make sure you have a 3-7 day supply.
- Pets and evacuation – Remember to bring:
- Food and water – enough for a week. One gallon of water per pet per day.
- Pet first aid kit including a week's supply of any medication.
- Pet tags - attach to their collar or carrier your name and contact information and that of a friend or relative out of state or the area that could identify your pet).
- Vaccination information.
- Pictures of your pet (in case you get separated).
- Toys, blankets, other comfort items and litter for cats.
- Make sure pets are leashed or placed in a cage/carrier unit at all times.
- If you are going to a hotel, make sure the hotel allows pets.
- If you are going to a shelter in the Gainesville area, pets will only be allowed in certain shelters. Both dogs and cats must be in a crate/carrier in order to be accepted into the shelter.
- Money – make sure you have cash – ATM's and credit cards don't work if there is no electricity.
- What to do when the Hurricane ARRIVES:
- Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
- If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors away from windows.
- The calm or “eye” of the storm is deceptive – the storm is NOT over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Further damage can happen after the eye passes.
- Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
- Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
- What to do when the Hurricane is over:
- Keep listening to the Radio or local TV station for instructions.
- If you evacuated return home only when local officials tell you it is safe to return.
- Inspect your home for damage.
- Use flashlights in the dark, not candles.
- Avoid power lines or plugging in electrical appliances in standing water.
- Water is often contaminated so remember to boil water and check with the local news and or Red Cross about safe drinking water.
- Operate chain saws, generators, and electrical appliances safely.
- Often a city or county will enact a curfew – this is for your safety. Stay at home during curfew hours.
- Shelter Information
- Check the UF website, www.ufl.edu, local paper, radio station, or TV news.
- For more information visit the following websites or call the following hotlines:
- Red Cross: www.redcross.org/services/disaster/
- UF 2006 Natural Disaster Preparation Plan: www.ehs.ufl.edu/disasterplan/
- University of Florida Information phone: 1-866-833-2287 web: www.ufl.edu/
- Pet Preparation for Hurricanes: www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/1487/hurricane.html
- Alachua County Crisis Center: 352-264-6789.
- Alachua County Rumor Control Hotline: 352-264-6557
- Call 911 for emergencies or 352-955-1818 for non emergencies.