Build a hurricane kit

The City of Orlando Office of Emergency Management recommends the following for Building your Disaster Kit:

Your disaster kit should include enough of these supplies to last you and your family for a minimum of 3 days.

FEMA recommends the following for Evacuation Planning:

When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used. Additionally, there may be circumstances under which you and your family feel threatened or endangered and you need to leave your home, school, or workplace to avoid these situations.
The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane that can be monitored, you might have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is essential.

Evacuation: More Common than You Realize

Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently. Almost every year, people along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of approaching hurricanes.
Ask local authorities about emergency evacuation routes and see if maps may are available with evacuation routes marked.

Evacuation Guidelines

The City of Orlando Office of Emergency Management recommends the following Family Plan:

My Family Plan

During a time of crisis, having a written plan in place may ensure the safety and comfort of you and your family.
Entering vital information on these pages will make it easier to follow when needed.

1. Where we’ll go if/when we need to evacuate, (only if you live in a Mobile Home Park or Flood prone area).

Name, Address, Phone #:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

2. Have I made appropriate arrangements? Yes ___ No ____

3. Have I notified my family/friends of our plans? Yes ___ No ____

4. If yes, list names, addresses, phone #s

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

5. Does my employer provide a special shelter for me and my family?

Yes ___ No ___

If yes, list names, addresses, phone #s

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

6. Name/type of pet(s)?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

7. What will I do with my pet(s)?

8. If I Stay ______________________________

9. If I Go________________________________

10. Do I have a boat ? Yes ___ No ___

11. If Yes, how will I secure it?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

12. If I stay, what preventive measures will I take to safeguard my home?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

13. Window protection purchased? Yes ___ No ___

____ shutters

____ ½ " or thicker plywood

14. Valuables and important papers copied and placed in a waterproof, safe
place? Yes ___ No ____

Location:_________________________________

15. Safe Room identified? Yes____No____

16. Have I purchased/planned for obtaining the elements of my survival kit?

Yes____No____

17. Write all important names, addresses, phone numbers, account numbers,
policy numbers, etc., of doctors, insurance agents (health, flood, auto, home),
lawyers, family and friends. (use additional paper if necessary.)

To create your family plan online, please visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/family/

The NOAA recommends the following for your pets:

Pet hurricane supply kit

• Proper identification including immunization records
• Ample supply of food and water
• A carrier or cage
• Medications
• Muzzle, collar and leash

Before the hurricane

• Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations.  Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.
• Have a current photograph
• Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
• Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal - carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.
• Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet!  Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into your evacuation route planning. 

During the hurricane

• Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have:  Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.
• Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.
• Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis.  Call ahead and determine availability.

After the hurricane

• Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.  Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.
• If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered.  Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.
• After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.

Don't forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

WHAT TO DO?

Orange County Government recommends:

When A Hurricane Watch Is Issued

A hurricane may affect our area in 36 hours. Now is the time to:

• Frequently monitor Orange County Government Access or your local TV or radio station for weather updates.
• Check you hurricane supplies/survival kit.
• Contact family members to coordinate efforts.
• Turn refrigerator/freezer to coldest setting.
• Begin installing shutters or pre-cut plywood.
• Pool owners: Don’t drain your pool completely, drop the level by 1 or 2 feet.
• Place outdoor furniture and pool equipment into the pool. Turn off electricity to pool pump.
• Add extra chlorine to compensate for heavy rains.
• Fill your fuel tanks early: Automobile, propane, etc.
• Get extra cash.

When An Evacuation Order Is Issued

You have about 8 hours to accomplish the following:

• Determine if the evacuation order applies to your area.
• Clear your yard of loose objects such as hoses, BBQ grills and lawn chairs and secure them inside.
• Protect valuable and electrical equipment.
• Move them away from windows.
• Cover them with plastic bags.
• Place them in cabinets, large appliances or closets.
• If the order applies to you:
• Call friends/relatives and let them know your evacuation destination.
• Secure all windows and doors tightly.
• Turn off electric, water, and gas.

When A Hurricane Warning Is Issued

• Evacuate quickly, but safely: The leading edge of the storm is just hours away.
• Complete all preparations as soon as possible.
• Move your supplies and survival kit to your safe room.
• Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors, particularly double inward-opening doors and garage doors.
• STAY INSIDE

Weathering The Storm

You may hear windows break. Do not leave your safe room until the all clear is issued on the radio, even if the weather sounds calm - you may be in the calm eye of the storm.

• Stay away from unprotected windows.
• Turn on your battery-operated radio.
• Prepare for power outages. Have a flashlight ready. When you lose power, turn off the main circuit breaker.

After The Storm

Below you will find helpful hints for coping after the storm:

• Leave your safe room slowly and carefully.
• Inspect damage inside your house only.
• Begin to clean up the most dangerous conditions such as broken glass.
• Call 9-1-1 to report life threatening emergencies only - not damages or power outages.
• Wait for the all clear from local authorities before you go outside, drive, or return home. Emergency vehicles have priority use of roadways.
• When venturing outside, avoid downed or dangling utility wires. Be especially careful when cutting or clearing fallen trees or walking through water puddles. They may have power lines tangled or laying in them.

Hurricane Definition

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, the generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical storms. Parts of the Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast experience heavy rains and floods each year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microbursts, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential (see chart). Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.

How are hurricane categories determined?

Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains. Floods are the deadly and destructive result. Slow moving storms and tropical storms moving into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides, especially in mountainous regions. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall. Flooding on rivers and streams may persist for several days or more after the storm.
Between 1970 and 1999, more people lost their lives from freshwater inland flooding associated with land falling tropical cyclones than from any other weather hazard related to tropical cyclones.

Courtesy: Orange County Government

Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center and now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization. The lists featured only women’s names until 1979. After that, men’s and women’s names were alternated. Six lists are used in rotation. Thus, the 2001 lists will be used again in 2007.
The only time there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the continued use of the name would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. When this occurs, the name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it.

Courtesy: FEMA

Hurricane damage example
This is an Associated Press example of the typical damage caused by hurricanes at each of the five intensity categories on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

FAQs

1.         What if I have a family member with medical or transportation needs?
Have them contact and register with the People with Special Needs (PSN) program.  The contact number is 407-650-4047
 
2.         What are the most important items in a disaster kit?
            In this order they are water, food, medications and a battery powered radio
 
3.         When should I board up or shutter my house?
            At least 48 hours before a storm is predicted to make landfall.
 
4.         Who do I call for questions before, during and after a storm?
Before a storm contact the Office of Emergency Management at 321-235-5437 and during and after a storm contact the Citizens Information Line at 407-246-4268.
 
5.         When do police and fire departments stop running on emergency
             calls?
Once the sustained winds reach 35 mile per hour the city's emergency response stops until it is safe to be in the field.
 
6.         Where is my nearest shelter, location for ice, water, and sandbags?
The city maintains a list for all critical locations like these and will inform you where you need to go to receive these services.
 
7.         Can I go to a shelter with my pet?
General population shelters will not allow pets for health reasons; however there will be some pet friendly shelters open during the storm for both you and your pet.
 
8.         When or should I evacuate my residence?
If you live in a low lying flood prone area or in a manufactured home you should seek alternative shelter.  Otherwise you should shelter in place at your home.
 
9.         How do I volunteer to help out during a disaster?
Contact the Office of Emergency Management at 321-235-5437.
 
10.       Where can I get the latest most up to date information during a     
            hurricane?
            Contact the Citizen's Information Line at 407-246-4268