Hurricane Awareness and Preparedness: Be Prepared!

"Can't figure out how to eat healthy during hurricane/disaster conditions?"

Dr. Marcia Magnus, an associate professor of dietetics and nutrition at FIU, asked students for recipes of "nutrient dense, tasty, safe, and non-perishable meals that require little or no water and no electricity to prepare. The Healthy Hurricane/Disaster Cookbook is the result of this challenge.

http://www.fiu.edu/~health/hurricaneseason/Hurricane%20Cookbook%204.11.2006.pdf

Tips for Cat and Dog Owners http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html

·         Make sure your pet has all of its proper vaccinations and pet license.  Have copies of vaccination records.  Shelters, kennels, hotels and stables may not accept your pet without proper documentation.   

·         Keep current identification on your pet:  pet license, name tag, tattoo, or microchip.  Have a copy of your pet’s documents (registration, adoption, etc.) and medical records.  Take pictures of not only the pet, but also of you with the pet.  These may be useful if the pet is lost.

·         Keep an adequate supply of food and water (a two week's supply is recommended).

·         Have sufficient litter, litter pan, litter scoop for cats. Set aside an area with puppy training pads or newspapers so the dog can go to the bathroom when the weather becomes too severe to go outside.

·         If your pet is on medication, make sure you have an adequate supply of medicine.

·         You must stay with your pet or have made arrangements for the keeping of the dog or cat. Abandonment is against the law!  Plan ahead of time whether you will evacuate or stay home.  Reservations at shelters, kennels, hotels and stables usually must be made in advance, so make your storm decisions early - your animals are depending on you!

Sign up to receive weekly tips from CDC by email, mobile phone text message, RSS, or Twitter. In addition to the weekly tips, CDC will also provide you important, timely tips relevant to storms making landfall throughout the season.

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/reminders.asp

 (Image by NOAA)

Emergency officials in Calcasieu Parish give their yearly presentation on the 2009 Hurricane Season.

Prepare Your Home/Property
• Secure or bring in items from yard (outside furniture toys, etc.)
• Trim loose and dead branches from trees
• Secure windows with storm shutters or plywood (pre-drill holes)
• Remove satellite dishes, antennae, and roof turbines
• Clean out gutters
• Stack sandbags around exterior doorframes
• Securely moor or move your watercraft to a safe location

  Have On Hand
• Tools (hammer, screwdriver, chainsaw, etc.)
• Plastic tarp (roof/window repair)

Providing Safe and Well Information

The American Red Cross Safe and Well Website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being.

Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.” The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s First Name, Last Name, an “As of Date”, and the “safe and well” messages selected.

Storm surge zones and evacuation routes information is based on the most up-to-date regional evacuation studies.

Go to http://www.floridadisaster.org/PublicMapping/index.htm and click on your county.

Statewide updates are currently underway and all information is subject to change following the conclusion of these updates. For the most up-to-date information, go directly to local emergency management agencies.  

There are a number of Hurricane Preparedness Checklists available.  A basic emergency kit should include:

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils / garbage bags

Blankets / Pillows, 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

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

 For other checklists click on the following:

The Official Broward County Hurricane Preparedness Guide is filled with useful information, maps, telephone numbers and web site addresses that helps you be ready - set - safe for hurricane season.

http://www.broward.org/Hurricane/Documents/hurricane_guide_entire_document.pdf 

 The Palm Beach County Hurricane Survival Guide includes four sections: 1) Before the Storm; 2) Landfall; 3) After the Storm; and 4) General Information.

http://www.pbcgov.com/hurricane/pdf/Hurricane_Guide.pdf

The Official Martin County Personal Hurricane Survival Guide prepared by the Martin County Emergency Management Agency covers important phone numbers, hurricane information, and hurricane preparedness tips.

http://www.martin.fl.us/web_docs/frd/web/aid_emer_mgmt_docs/040_Personal_Hurricane_Guide.PDF

  The American Red Cross Together We Prepare campaign issues the chllenge to individuals, businesses and communities to take responsibility for their own safety.

 http://www.hurricane.alabama.gov/HurricanePreparednessGuide.pdf

Hurricane Safety Flyer prepared by NOAA gives tips for before, during and after a storm.

http://www.weather.gov/os/hurricane/pdfs/hurricane-safety_flyer.pdf

http://www.broward.org/hurricane/guide12.htm