Your helpful resource for Hurricane and Storm season

Plan - Act - Listen -

Our area is affected by severe storms, Hurricanes and storm surges • Make a plan • Preparation is the key

Print double sided Document here!

PREPARE YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN​

PREPARE YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN​

Include the entire household and children. Make sure you discuss:

  • workplace, school or apartment plans that may impact members of your household – how will you stay in touch if you’re separated and where you will meet
  • plans for when your household members will and will not be home
  • what you will do to reduce damage to your home or contents. Make sure you have adequate insurance
  • how and where:
  • -you turn off power, gas and water supplies
  • -valuables and important documents are stored
  • - your household emergency kit is stored
  • your emergency telephone list
  • what role each family member will take during an emergency
  • what arrangements you will make for your pets to ensure they are safe with food and water
  • know where you will shelter or where to go if you need to self-evacuate
  • Be prepared! Complete the emergency plan at the back of this guide to keep on the fridge or download a copy

PREPARE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT​

You may be alone for up to 3 days Ensure your kit will sustain you and your household Prepare for disruption to power and water supplies, unreliable communication methods, injury and dangerous elements.

EMERGENCY KIT CHECKLIST

  • Battery-operated radio with spare batteries
  • Flashlight with spare batteries, candles and waterproof matches
  • Three days of non-perishable foods and a can opener
  • 1 Gallon of bottled water per person
  • First aid kit and manual with any essential medicines
  • A change of warm clothes for each person and closed-in shoes
  • Toilet paper and essential toiletries, including sunscreen and insect repellent
  • Special needs for infants, the aged and people with disabilities
  • Money
  • Important documents (birth & marriage certificates, driver’s licence, passports, insurance policies and photos)​
  • Mobile phone, charger and power bank
  • Pet supplies
  • Grill (if using gas remember to have spare canisters or bottles)
  • Cooking and eating utensils
  • TIPS FOR KITS
  • Store your kit in an easy to reach, dry place
  • Every member of your house knows where the kit is stored
  • An emergency kit can also double as a camping kit – stock your kit at the beginning of the wet season and use it in the dry each year
  • An emergency kit can also double as a camping kit – stock your kit at the beginning of the wet season and use it in the dry each year
  • Check the contents of your kit at least once a year to ensure items still work and consumables are not past their use-by date – batteries, w

PREPARE YOUR HOME​

• Prepare for severe storms, cyclones and storm surges • Buildings deteriorate unless they are properly maintained • Prepare your home for the worst

MAINTAINING YOUR HOUSE CONDO APARTMENT OR MOBILE HOME

  • Check that the walls, roof and eaves of your home are secure
  • Trim treetops and branches well clear of your home
  • If trees are near powerlines Call FPL 1-800-4-OUTAGE
    (1-800-468-8243)
  • Clear your property and balcony of loose material that could cause injury or damage during extreme winds
  • Fit shutters or metal screens to windows
  • Clear your property and balcony of loose material that could cause injury or damage during extreme winds
  • Check for signs of corrosion, rotten timber, termite attacks or loose fixings
  • No power means no water, so keep water aside for flushing toilets

PREPARING YOUR SHELTER​

  • Identify the strongest room in your house to shelter, e.g. bathroom, internal laundry, hallway, closed storage rooms, etc. This is generally the smallest room with little or no windows
  • Turn off the electricity, gas and water at the mains
  • Secure outdoor furniture, garden items, caravans and boats
  • Close and lock all windows and doors
  • Follow your household emergency plan
  • Pack and water-proof your valuables, electrical equipment, etc.
  • Have some activities available for children, e.g. deck of cards

Warning: Never use portable generators indoors or in enclosed spaces

LOG ON

RECEIVE ALERTS

LISTEN OUT

KNOW THE WARNING SERVICES​

• Listen for official warnings and advice • Follow instructions of emergency services

When warnings occur, you should finalize your preparations, activate your emergency plan and follow any advice issued by the Florida State Officials.

When warnings occur, you should finalize your preparations, activate your emergency plan and follow any advice issued by the Florida State Officials.

  • A Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.
  • A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.
  • A Wind Advisory is issued when the following conditions are expected: 1) sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph for an hour or more. AND/OR 2) wind gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration.
  • Advisory An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property
  • Watch A watch means weather conditions are favorable for dangerous weather to occur. In other words, a "watch" means watch out for what the weather could do, and be ready to act accordingly. You may wish to alter or have a back-up plan for any outdoor activities or travel.
  • Warnings For severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash floods, a warning means the weather event is imminent or occurring somewhere in the defined warning area and that people need to take shelter as soon as possible.

U.S. Department of Housing and Commerce. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Available at: https://www.noaa.gov/. Accessed: 05/01/2020.

Nassau County Board of Commisioners. Nassau . Nassau County. Available at: https:/https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/. Accessed: 05/10/2020..