Time to Prepare

June 1 is the start of hurricane season, which runs through November 30. Now is the time to brush off your family’s emergency plan. You will want to think about evacuation routes, local emergency management contacts, and creating (or updating) your disaster supply kit.

Remember, the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is effective through Thursday, June 6. During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax.
Thorough planning and preparation before a storm are critical to protecting the health and safety of you and your loved ones. You need to plan now where you and your family will go if a disaster strikes; your destination may be a hotel in another city, a relative’s home, or a shelter. In addition, it is important to create a plan for your pets, since not all shelters or hotels accept animals.

There are important precautionary measures you can take to keep you and your family safer:

Know how you will receive emergency alerts and warnings
Keep your vehicle fuel tanks filled up with gas
Know your evacuation route
Keep enough fuel handy to run your generator (if you have one), and test your generator often to make sure it is in working order
Have a communication plan – write down phone numbers and email addresses for everyone in your household. Identify someone outside of your community or state who can act as a central point of contact to help your household reconnect. In a disaster, it may be easier to make a long-distance phone call, as often local phone lines can be jammed. Also, a text message may get through when a phone call will not. Make copies of this plan for each family member to carry in their wallet, backpack, or purse.
Write down phone numbers for emergency services, utilities, service providers, medical providers, veterinarians, insurance companies, and other services.

For some helpful planning guides, check out the following resources:

The Florida Division of Emergency Management Disaster Planning Guides: https://apps.floridadisaster.org/getaplan/
The Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Planning Guides: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
The American Red Cross Disaster Planning Guides: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html

Your disaster supply kit should contain the following items:

Water – at least one gallon daily per person for three to seven days
Food – at least enough for three to seven days

non-perishable packaged or canned food/juices
foods for infants, the elderly, or other special dietary needs
snack foods
non-electric can opener
cooking tools/fuel
paper plates/plastic utensils

Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, etc.
Clothing – seasonal/rain gear/sturdy shoes
First aid kit/medicines/prescription drugs
Special items – for babies and the elderly
Toiletries – hygiene items
Moisture wipes
Flashlight/batteries
Radio – battery-operated and NOAA weather radio
Cash – banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods
Keys
Toys, books, and games
Important documents – in a waterproof container

insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
document all valuables with video, if possible

Tools – keep a set with you during the storm
Pet care items

proper identification/immunization records
ample supply of food and water
a carrier or cage
medications
muzzle and leash

Always stay up to date on current conditions if a hurricane may strike or potential disaster has been identified. NOAA Weather Radio provides information on weather conditions. Additionally, Florida 511 and Florida Highway Patrol provide information on traffic conditions. Your county Emergency Management Agency’s website and contact information can be found at floridadisaster.org/counties. APD posts up-to-date disaster information and a Recovery Toolkit online at apdcares.org/news/toolkit.htm.

As you prepare for hurricane season, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. We care about you and your safety – make or update your plan today!