Hurricane Preparedness

For a Floridian, two of the scariest words in the English language are “hurricane season.”

I know, I’ve lived in Florida since 1972 and I’ve survived a number of hurricanes (including dry but devastating Andrew, wet and wild Irene, Katrina’s first U.S. landfall as a category 1 storm, and Wilma, to name a few) and countless near misses.

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you too can survive. The key is awareness and preparation. Be aware of whether or not you live in an area that is susceptible to tropical storms and cyclones and if so, be prepared for it.

With this hurricane preparedness guide, I hope to help you get ready for the big storm.

Hurricane Andrew bears down on south Florida, circa August 1992.

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A street sign in Louisiana pointing residents to a hurricane evacuation route. Photo courtesy of Infrogmation via Wikipedia (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Infrogmation).

Hurricanes and Your Area

The first thing you should find out is if you live in an area that can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. Chances are if you live along the Gulf Coast (Gulf of Mexico) and at least the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean, you live in a hurricane zone.

If you do live within an area that could be hit by a hurricane, check with your local authorities to see if you live in an evacuation zone. If so, check to see if evacuations are mandatory or voluntary.

You will also want to note where hurricane shelters, if any are located, or otherwise plan for where you and your family would go in the event an evacuation is called for your area. Do this in advance, before a tropical cyclone or hurricane is headed your way. Waiting until the last minute could mean you and your family are left out. Note that generally speaking, authorities usually ask that you evacuate to the house of a friend or family member, and to use government or Red Cross shelters only as a last resort.

Of special note is if you have a pet or special needs, such as dialysis, you use a wheelchair, or you take medications that require refrigeration. If so, check with your local authorities or local Red Cross; some areas do offer pet shelters and special need evacuation centers, but they may require that you pre-register before a storm is headed your way.

Again, don’t count on a shelter unless you have no choice; go to a friend’s or family member’s house instead. If you do have to go to a shelter, note that you may need to bring the following items with you, as most shelters will probably not be able to supply them for you and your family: bedding, food (including any special dietary foods), medications and water.