Planning, Preparation and Staying Informed are Keys to Hurricane Safety

Planning

When is Hurricane Season?

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30 every year. The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and late October, when the waters in the equatorial Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico have warmed enough to help support the development of tropical waves.

Does Horizon West Get Hurricanes?

Although Horizon West is centrally located in Florida, hurricanes can still bring hazards in many forms. Even if the hurricane makes landfall elsewhere in the state, the impacts like heavy rains, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding can be felt hundreds of miles away.

Preparation

How Do I Prepare for Hurricane Season or an Impending Storm?

Prepare an Emergency Kit:

It is important to make sure you have an emergency kit stocked with the necessary items recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Most of the items are inexpensive and could help save a life. Be sure to also consider what unique needs additional family members might have, such as supplies for babies, pets, and seniors.New Paragraph

Visit www.ready.gov/kit to review all current recommended items and download a printable shopping list. Here is a basics list:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Take Advantage of Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for Supplies

The Florida Legislature is expected to pass this annual tax holiday that will last from May 27 to June 9, 2023.

Tax-exempt preparedness items include flashlights, batteries, coolers, tarps, generators, pet supplies, and more. A second disaster sales tax holiday is expected from August 26 to September 8, 2023, during peak hurricane season.

For more details about qualifying items and that are exempt from sales tax, visit Florida Department of Revenue Disaster Prep site.

What Additional Preparations Are Needed?

Create a Family Emergency Communication Plan:

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. Get all the instructions and details at: www.ready.gov/plan

Protect Your Home:

• Trim trees before the start of hurricane season.
• Make sure drains and gutters are clear.
• Call Orange County 311 (407-836-3111) if street storm drains appear clogged.
• Bring in outside furniture and loose items.
• If there is construction near your home, ensure job sites are secured and call 311 to report any concerns.
• Gather important documents like insurance policies and agent contact information.
• Consider buying a generator. Review generator safety and always run generators outdoors.

Review Orange County Resources:

For more information on emergency information from Orange County Government and how to prepare for a hurricane, visit www.ocfl.net/storm and https://www.orangecountyfl.net/emergencysafety/hurricanesafetyguide.aspx

Don’t Forget to Look Out for Your Neighbors:

Check with neighbors, senior adults, or those who may need additional help securing hurricane plans to see how you can be of assistance to others. Your HOA may need volunteers to help secure common grounds, pool furniture or other items, too. If you have the means, it’s a great idea to remember your neighbors and immediate community by offering help.

What if We Have to Leave Our Home?

In some cases, you may have a day or two to prepare while a storm approaches, but other situations might call for an immediate evacuation —for example, if your home becomes unexpectedly damaged during the storm. Planning is vital to making sure that you can evacuate quickly and safely no matter what the circumstances. Instructions on planning and what to do during and after an evacuation are available at: https://www.ready.gov/evacuation

Staying Informed

Which Weather Sources are Best?

When it comes to weather coverage, follow local Central Florida news stations for the most accurate coverage on storms that may impact our area. National news outlets may not have the best coverage or experience in dealing with Florida weather and storm patterns. Find a station with a “no hype” policy to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety.

We recommend WESH, specifically meteorologist Eric Burris. Eric does live streaming sessions where he gives extended and detailed weather analysis every day, and often multiple times per day, when storms are approaching. He vows to set expectations accurately and appropriately for any approaching storms.

As mentioned above in the emergency kit list, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert are important to have on hand in case of a power outage. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service office based on your physical location. The frequency for the Orlando area is 162.475.

Which Apps are Important?

OCFL Alert is an Orange County app that provides life-saving information about open shelter locations, water and ice distribution centers, evacuation routes and public service announcements.

OC ALERT is not an app, but it is an alert system that allows Orange County Government to contact you via email or cell phone text message during an emergency affecting Orange County. Register free-of-charge for OCAlert.

Social Media sites like Twitter are also valuable tools for communication during storm events. Make sure to follow official sources like:

• Orange County Government: @OrangeCoFL
• Orange County Mayor: @OCFLMayor
• Orange County Fire Rescue: @OCFireRescue
• Orange County Sheriff’s Dept: @OrangeCoSheriff

For a full list of Orange County social media sites, visit https://www.orangecountyfl.net/Home/SocialMedia.aspx

The FEMA App offers the ability to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. You can also learn emergency safety tips for over 20 types of disasters and locate open emergency shelters and disaster recovery centers in your area, and more.

Stay safe out there, Horizon West!