(813) 782-6268 vmhp@tampabay.rr.com

Hurricane Preparedness Matters!

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS!

The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, and it’s important that your household is prepared to weather any storm. We are here to help you plan for safety, before, during, and after a hurricane.

 

Start preparing TODAY:

  • Know your community’s risk of hurricanes.
  • Make sure you have enough non-perishable food and water to last for a minimum of seven days for each member of your household (including your pets), medications, a flashlight, batteries, and a first aid kit.
  • Sign up for emergency alertshttps://www.ready.gov/alerts
  • Sign up for your community’s warning system:
  • Know your evacuation zone:
  • Be familiar with nearby shelters,
    in the case you have to evacuate:
  • If you have pets,
    make a plan for their care during an emergency. Evacuation shelters will not accept pets of any kind unless designated an “Evacuation Pet Shelter.”
  • Based on your location and community plans,
    make your own plans for evacuation or sheltering in place. Please note that, if you or anyone in your household is an individual with a disability, you may need additional help during an emergency.
  • Keep important documents in a safe place
    or create password-protected digital copies.
  • Protect your property.
    Declutter drains and gutters, and limit outside objects, such as patio furniture. Review insurance policies.

 

What to do when a hurricane is 36 hours from arriving:

  • Turn on your TV or radio
    in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
  • Make sure your emergency supplies are stocked.
  • Make a “go kit” for sheltering,
    which is a portable collection of emergency supplies and information. In addition to non-perishable food and water for every member of your family, include changes of clothes, phone chargers, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items, important documents, your ID, and cash.
  • Plan how to communicate with family if you lose power.
    For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.
  • Review your evacuation zone, evacuation route, and shelter locations
    with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead.
  • If you have a car, make sure it has gas.

 

What to do when a hurricane is 18-36 hours from arriving:

  • Bookmark your city or county website
    for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
  • Bring loose, lightweight objects inside
    that could become projectiles in high winds (like patio furniture and garbage cans) and anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks). Also clear any debris like fallen tree branches from your yard.
  • Cover all of your home’s windows if possible..

 

What to do when a hurricane is 6-18 hours from arriving:

  • Turn on your TV/radio or check your city/county website
    every 30 minutes

    in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
  • If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
    Do not drive around barricades. Make sure to bring your “go kit” with you.
  • If you go to a public emergency shelter,
    follow all local orders and comply with safety requirements.
  • If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation,
    plan to stay at home or where you are and let your loved ones know your location.
  • Charge your cell phone now
    so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.
  • Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting
    and open only when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is restored.
  • Fill your bathtub(s) with water
    in case your water supply shuts off.

 

What to do when a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving:

  • Turn on your TV/radio or check your city/county website every 30 minutes
    in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
  • As winds pick up, make sure to stay away from windows.
    Flying glass from broken windows could injure you.
  • If you know that a hurricane threat is immediate,
    bring your pets inside.

 

What to do DURING a hurricane:

  • If sheltering at home during high winds,
    go to a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding.
  • If trapped in a building by flooding,
    go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
  • Listen for current emergency information and instructions.
  • Use a generator
    or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors ONLY and away from windows.
  • Be prepared for the power to go out.
    • If you want to know how many areas are without power
      or need updates on restoration, click Florida on the map section
      https://poweroutage.us/, and click on the county where you live for its outage report.
  • Stay inside.
    Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

 

How to stay safe AFTER a hurricane:

  • Listen to authorities for information and special instructions. Continue to follow local orders for safety.
  • Be careful during clean-up.
    Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
  • Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet
    or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
  • Avoid wading in flood water,
    which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
  • If the power or water is out,
    be prepared that it may take longer than usual for utilities to be restored.
  • Save phone calls for emergencies.
    Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
  • Document any property damage with photographs.
    Contact your insurance company for assistance.
  • If you are ill or injured, contact your doctor immediately
    for guidance. If you have a pre-existing condition, make sure to continue your prescribed treatment.

 


Use of Alice Copeland Clubhouse during HURRICANE WARNINGS!

The clubhouse will be available for our residents’ use during all major storms and all major storm warnings throughout the hurricane season. When you hear warnings that a hurricane is near, you should take actions to protect your family, yourself and your property. In a major storm, including a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, we believe that the clubhouse is a safer place for you rather than in your mobile home.

However, in case of a Category 3 or 4 hurricane warning, we do not believe the clubhouse would be safe. We adamantly suggest to go to an approved shelter or leave the area entirely.

Staying in the clubhouse during a hurricane is at your own risk. All residents must be willing to sign a waiver releasing Valleydale of any responsibility in case of bodily harm or health emergency.

City of Zephyrhills Emergency Services will not be available during a hurricane as we are not an approved hurricane shelter.

When will the clubhouse be open?Unless you are notified to the contrary, the clubhouse will be available 24 hours a day whenever a voluntary evacuation warning has been issued and keep it available until the danger has passed. 

What items should I bring to the clubhouse?

  • During the hurricane season, always keep a small duffel bag with appropriate items so that you can evacuate quickly. Assemble enough supplies to last at least 3 days.
  • You will need:
    • Cot or air mattress
    • Pillow and blanket/sleeping bag
    • Toothbrush and other hygiene items
    • Flashlight
    • Change of clothing – Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes
    • Games, books, magazines
    • Your MEDICATION*
    • Snacks to share
    • A GOOD DISPOSITION!!!

Note: Fill your car’s gas tank and obtain necessary cash ahead of time. ATM machines and gas pumps may not be operational at the last minute.

*MEDICAL NEEDS:

  • Medical Insurance and Medicare cards
  • Prescription medicines; list of medications including dosage & list of any allergies
  • Extra eyeglasses and hearing aid batteries
  • Extra wheelchair batteries and oxygen
  • List of the style and serial numbers of any medical devices, i.e. Pacemakers
  • List of doctors
  • Family emergency contact

ITEMS SUPPLIED FOR YOU AT THE CLUBHOUSE:

  • Bottled water
  • Paper plates, cups, plastic utensils
  • Paper towels
  • Toilet paper

TO DO BEFORE THE STORM:

  • Appoint a committee to fold some tables in the main room & card room for sleeping quarters.
  • Appoint a committee to move the poolside furniture into the pool.

Everyone that is able will be expected to serve on a committee while in the clubhouse. Please let the Chairperson know what committee you would like to serve on.

FOOD:

  • When there is an impending hurricane, appoint a Food Committee Chairperson to prepare a menu. Food will be purchased and prepared by the food committee if time allows.
  • Committees will be established for preparing each meal and for clean-up after meals.
  • If case of a special diet, you are responsible to bring with you what food you would like to eat.
  • Residents will provide snacks as they desire. If everyone brings a snack, there should be plenty.
  • Breakfast will be served at 7:30 am. Other mealtimes will depend on the storm. Decaf coffee will be available throughout the stay.
  • Food will be purchased and prepared by the volunteer committee
  • Quiet time will be from 11:00 pm to 6 am – lights off.

PETS:

Pets will be accommodated, if in cages, in the library area during Hurricane or severe storm warnings only.

All persons using the clubhouse as a shelter will be asked to sign in, sign a waiver and provide an emergency number in case it is needed (see form).

 

–Let’s be prepared for the next hurricane but hope none of this will ever have to be used—