The information shown below was prepared by the State of Florida, for those living in Florida. However- there is information here that you can use regardless of where you are living. Find similarities of these topics wherever you are living. The Bottom Line is: BE PREPARED!!
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Disaster Preparedness
Hurricane season is upon us and, with 1,197 miles of coastline and all
cities within 75 miles of the coast, there are no areas in Florida that are
immune to the forces of a hurricane. Your safety and the safety of your family
must be paramount as a hurricane strike becomes imminent, so it’s imperative
that you have a plan and stay informed.
cities within 75 miles of the coast, there are no areas in Florida that are
immune to the forces of a hurricane. Your safety and the safety of your family
must be paramount as a hurricane strike becomes imminent, so it’s imperative
that you have a plan and stay informed.
Have a Family Plan
In a major disaster, emergency workers may not be able to reach everyone right
away and, in some cases, it may take three or more days for help to arrive.
Having a plan for your family and their needs will help ensure their safety and
comfort during these difficult times. The Florida Division of Emergency
Management offers a Family Disaster Planning website to help Floridians create
a customized family disaster plan. Floridadisaster.org/family
allows each family to calculate the amount of food and water needed in the
event of an emergency and gives supply checklists, provides local emergency
contacts and evacuation routes. Each personalized plan also includes a
checklist of things to do before, during and after a disaster.
In a major disaster, emergency workers may not be able to reach everyone right
away and, in some cases, it may take three or more days for help to arrive.
Having a plan for your family and their needs will help ensure their safety and
comfort during these difficult times. The Florida Division of Emergency
Management offers a Family Disaster Planning website to help Floridians create
a customized family disaster plan. Floridadisaster.org/family
allows each family to calculate the amount of food and water needed in the
event of an emergency and gives supply checklists, provides local emergency
contacts and evacuation routes. Each personalized plan also includes a
checklist of things to do before, during and after a disaster.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a Family Emergency
Plan contact form at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
This form will assist you in documenting essential information that you may
need in case of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite
with your family and loved ones during an emergency if you plan ahead and
communicate with others in advance.
Plan contact form at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
This form will assist you in documenting essential information that you may
need in case of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite
with your family and loved ones during an emergency if you plan ahead and
communicate with others in advance.
Have a Place to Go
If your plan includes evacuating to a safer location, determine where you will
go in advance. If you are ordered to evacuate, don’t delay. Traffic congestion
will only worsen as time goes on. Select the evacuation destination that is
nearest to your home to minimize the distance you will have to travel. If
possible, make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative who lives nearby,
but will not be ordered to evacuate. Discuss the details of this plan with the
friend or relative well before a hurricane is approaching.
If your plan includes evacuating to a safer location, determine where you will
go in advance. If you are ordered to evacuate, don’t delay. Traffic congestion
will only worsen as time goes on. Select the evacuation destination that is
nearest to your home to minimize the distance you will have to travel. If
possible, make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative who lives nearby,
but will not be ordered to evacuate. Discuss the details of this plan with the
friend or relative well before a hurricane is approaching.
Have a Pet Plan
All pet owners should have an emergency plan that includes an evacuation plan
and adequate supplies for your pet in case of a disaster. Because many shelters
cannot accommodate pets, be sure to find out in advance if the place you plan
to go will welcome your pet, too. Keep in mind that shelters that allow pets
require proof of license and vaccination and pets must be in an ‘airline
approved’ pet carrier. Never leave your pets at home if you choose to evacuate.
If it’s dangerous for you, it’s dangerous for your pet. For a list of pet
friendly shelters in your area, contact your local emergency management
department or visit www.floridapets.net/petfriendlyshelters.html.
For a list of pet friendly hotels and motels, visit www.petswelcome.com. For guidance on
creating a plan for large animals and livestock, visit the Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ resources for disaster preparedness at www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/.
All pet owners should have an emergency plan that includes an evacuation plan
and adequate supplies for your pet in case of a disaster. Because many shelters
cannot accommodate pets, be sure to find out in advance if the place you plan
to go will welcome your pet, too. Keep in mind that shelters that allow pets
require proof of license and vaccination and pets must be in an ‘airline
approved’ pet carrier. Never leave your pets at home if you choose to evacuate.
If it’s dangerous for you, it’s dangerous for your pet. For a list of pet
friendly shelters in your area, contact your local emergency management
department or visit www.floridapets.net/petfriendlyshelters.html.
For a list of pet friendly hotels and motels, visit www.petswelcome.com. For guidance on
creating a plan for large animals and livestock, visit the Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ resources for disaster preparedness at www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/.
Stay Informed
FEMA now has the capability to deliver Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to your
cellular phone, relaying Presidential, AMBER and Imminent Threat alerts. These
WEAs use cell broadcast technology that will not get backlogged during times of
emergency when wireless voice and data services are highly congested. WEA will
not have to be opened like SMS text messages, but will “pop up” on your
device’s screen. There is no charge to you to receive these messages. Customers
of participating wireless carriers with WEA-capable phones will not need to
sign up to receive the alerts and should automatically receive WEAs in the
event of an emergency, if they are located in or travel to the affected
geographic area. FEMA also offers additional information by request. Cell phone
users can text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest
shelters in your area. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to sign up to
receive monthly disaster safety tips.
cellular phone, relaying Presidential, AMBER and Imminent Threat alerts. These
WEAs use cell broadcast technology that will not get backlogged during times of
emergency when wireless voice and data services are highly congested. WEA will
not have to be opened like SMS text messages, but will “pop up” on your
device’s screen. There is no charge to you to receive these messages. Customers
of participating wireless carriers with WEA-capable phones will not need to
sign up to receive the alerts and should automatically receive WEAs in the
event of an emergency, if they are located in or travel to the affected
geographic area. FEMA also offers additional information by request. Cell phone
users can text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest
shelters in your area. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to sign up to
receive monthly disaster safety tips.
For additional
information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services at www.800helpfla.com or by
calling 1–800–HELP–FLA (435–7352) within Florida, 1-800–FL–AYUDA (352–9832) en
Español or (850) 410–3800 from outside of Florida.
information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services at www.800helpfla.com or by
calling 1–800–HELP–FLA (435–7352) within Florida, 1-800–FL–AYUDA (352–9832) en
Español or (850) 410–3800 from outside of Florida.
This message was thoughtfully prepared for you by S. Schlossman
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