As Isaias threatens Florida, take time now to get ready for any potential impacts to the area. Have a three-to five-day supply of food and water, a battery-powered flashlight, a battery powered radio, a first-aid kit, and a reserve of prescription medicine. Make sure to wear a mask when shopping for supplies. Snap photos of items in your home and gather all important insurance and financial documents. You may need these during the insurance claim process. Remember, if it rains it floods. Just because you aren’t in a flood zone doesn’t mean you can’t experience flooding.

Please follow all instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered. Be aware of ongoing changes with local shelters during COVID-19. They will require social distancing requirements and limited capacity to follow CDC guidelines.

Florida’s CFO Jimmy Patronis also has a resourceful website, PrepareFL.com, which provides disaster preparedness information and tips to help Floridians ensure they are prepared to weather any storm.

KNOW YOUR EVACUATION PLAN

PLAN A EVACUATION – Areas east of Intracoastal Waterway

  • Storm surge is 4-7 feet above sea level with winds from 74-110 miles per hour
  • All mobile home residents, residents beside tidal bodies of water and in low-lying areas, and residents east of the Intracoastal Waterway should evacuate

PLAN B EVACUATION – Areas east of U.S. 1/Federal Highway

  • Storm surge is 7-11 feet above sea level with winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
  • In addition to those required to evacuate under Plan A, all residents east of U.S. 1/Federal Highway should evacuate.

 HURRICANE 10 STEP PLAN

STEP 1 — Hold a family meeting: Start a written list of things you’ll need to take care in advance and encourage everyone in the family to contribute their ideas.

STEP 2 — Discuss whether you’ll need to evacuate: Determine whether you live in an evacuation zone and, if so, where you will go if an evacuation order is given.

STEP 3 — Ensure your assets are protected: Inventory your home possessions and videotape, record or photograph items of value. Review your insurance policies to ensure you have adequate coverage.

STEP 4 — Assess your home for vulnerable areas: Do a walk-through of your home and property to evaluate your roof, windows, garage door, landscaping, etc. and determine what actions you will take

STEP 5 — Make a plan to protect your vehicles: Decide where you will store or park your vehicle, boat or RV. Check your vehicle insurance policy and keep it in the same safe place as your homeowner’s policy.

STEP 6 — Secure your home: Decide what actions you will need to take to protect your home and your property (shutters, generator, tree-trimming), and to keep as comfortable as possible during recovery.

STEP 7 — Determine if anyone in your home has special needs, or is vulnerable in an emergency: If anyone in your home has special needs in an emergency because of a medical condition, or because they are elderly or disabled, make arrangements in advance to accommodate those needs.

STEP 8 — Make a plan for your pets: Determine how you will address your pet’s needs and make a plan in case you have to evacuate.

STEP 9 — Gather your supplies: Use the checklist provided to determine your family’s food, water and medical needs and assemble your emergency kit according to those needs.

STEP 10 — Notify others of your plan: Let family or friends know what your emergency plan is so they can check on you in the aftermath of the event. Establish an out-of-town contact.