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 alerts:  https://www.ready.gov/alerts
• Sign up for your community’s warning system:
• City of Zephyrhills’ Alert Center:   https://www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/AlertCenter.aspx?CID=1,2,
• Alert Pasco (Pasco County): http://egov.pascocountyfl.net/AlertPasco/
• Know your evacuation zone:
• Pasco County: https://maps.floridadisaster.org/county/EVAC_PASCO.pdf
• Be familiar with nearby shelters,
  in the case you have to evacuate:
• Pasco County: https://www.pascocountyfl.net/services/hurricane.php
• 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.
• City of Zephyrhills: https://www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/
• Pasco County: https://www.pascocountyfl.net/
• 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 sectionhttps://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.