Hurricane Preparation for your Building

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Are you in a Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach county evacuation zone? Review our map, including shelter locations.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/guide/sfl-hurricane-shelter-map-20170602-htmlstory.html?updated

 

The map shows the evacuation zones in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. We also mapped out all the shelters if you need to evacuate. Not all the shelters will be open at the same time. Check the status of a shelter or for more information, call your county's hurricane hot

line:

• Palm Beach Emergency Management Office: 561-712-6400
• Broward Red Cross: 954-797-3823; Broward County Emergency Management Hurricane Hotline: 954-831-3900
• Miami-Dade Emergency Management Office: 305-468-5402

 

 

IF YOU ARE UNDER A HURRICANE WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

• Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
  • Evacuate if told to do so.
  • Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room for high winds.
• Listen for emergency information and alerts.
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.

 

Storm Surge

Storm surge is water from the ocean that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around a hurricane. Storm surge is fast and can produce extreme coastal and inland flooding. When hurricanes cause storm surge, over 20 feet of water can be produced and pushed towards the shore and several miles inland destroying property and endangering lives in its path.

• Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.
• Water weighs about 1,700 pounds per cubic yard, so battering waves from surge can easily demolish buildings and cause massive destruction along the coast.
• Storm surge undermines roads and foundations when it erodes material out from underneath them.
• Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to your home. Homeowners and renter’s insurance do not typically cover flood damage.

 

Prepare NOW

• Know your area’s risk of hurricanes.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• If you are at risk for flash flooding, watch for warning signs such as heavy rain.
• Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds, such as a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding.
• Based on your location and community plans, make your own plans for evacuation or sheltering in place.
• Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and shelter locations.
• Gather needed supplies for at least three days. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
• Keep important documents in a safe place or create password-protected digital copies.
• Protect your property. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves in plumbing to prevent backups. Consider hurricane shutters. Review insurance policies.

 

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.
• Restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Plan how to communicate with family members 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. Plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead.
• Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.
• If you have NFIP flood insurance, your policy may cover up to $1000 in loss avoidance measures, like sandbags and water pumps, to protect your insured property. You should keep copies of all receipts and a record of the time spent performing the work. They should be submitted to your insurance adjuster when you file a claim to be reimbursed. Visit www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/137860 to learn more.

 

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 (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
• Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.

 

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.
• Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.

 

When a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving

• If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are and let friends and family know where you are.
• Close storm shutters, and stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you.
• 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.
• 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.

 

Survive DURING

• If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades.
• If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, ICC 500 storm shelter, or 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.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.

 

Be Safe AFTER

• Listen to authorities for information and special instructions.
• 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.
• Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
• Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.

 

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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE   

WWW.WEATHER.GOV

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's

TRACK THE STORMS HERE ! Get real time Storm Tracking.

 

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F.E.M.A Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
(202) 646-2500

 

You can begin this process by gathering family members and making sure each person is well-informed on potential hazards and community plans Discuss with them what you would do if family members are not home when a warning is issued. Additionally, your family plan should address the following:

 

• Escape routes: Establish a place to meet in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Record the locations below:
• Evacuation plans: The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane that can be monitored, you might have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is essential. Keep a full tank of gas in your car if an evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.
• Family communications: Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Think about how you will communicate in different situations.
• Utility shut-off and safety: In the event of a disaster, you may be instructed to shut off the utility service at your home. Below is some general guidance for shutting off utility service. You should modify the information provided to reflect your shut off requirements as directed by your utility company. Gas, Electric, Water.
• Insurance and vital records: Obtain property, health, and life insurance if you do not have them. Review existing policies for the amount and extent of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what is required for you and your family for all possible hazards
•  Flood Insurance
  If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing flood insurance to reduce your risk of flood loss. Buying flood insurance to cover the value of a building and its contents will not only provide greater peace of mind, but will speed the recovery if a flood occurs.
•  Inventory Home Possessions
  Make a record of your personal property, for insurance purposes. Take photos or a video of the interior and exterior of your home. Include personal belongings in your inventory.
• Important Documents
  Store important documents such as insurance policies, deeds, property records, and other important papers in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box away from your home. Make copies of important documents.
• Money
  Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. It is advisable to keep a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks at home in a safe place where you can quickly access them in case of evacuation.
•  Special needs: If you or someone close to you has a disability and other access and functional needs, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency.
• Care for pets: Information for pet owners: If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.
• Care for livestock: Information for livestock owners: If you have large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs on your property, be sure to prepare before a disaster.

Preparation Guidelines:

• Ensure all animals have some form of identification that will help facilitate their return.
• Evacuate animals whenever possible. Arrangements for evacuation, including routes and host sites, should be made in advance. Alternate routes should be mapped out in case the planned route is inaccessible.
• The evacuation sites should have or be able to readily obtain food, water, veterinary care, handling equipment and facilities.
• Make available vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers.
  Note: It is best to allow animals a chance to become accustomed to vehicular travel so they are less frightened and easier to move.
• If evacuation is not possible, a decision must be made whether to move large animals to available shelter or turn them outside. This decision should be determined based on the type of disaster and the soundness and location of the shelter (structure)

 

It is important that family members know how to administer first aid and CPR and how to use a fire extinguisher.

• Learn First Aid and CPR
  Take a first aid and CPR class. Local American Red Cross chapters can provide information about this type of training. Official certification by the American Red Cross provides, under the “good Samaritan” law, protection for those giving first aid.

Learn How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Read about fire extinguisher selection, location and use. Be sure everyone knows how to use your fire extinguisher(s) and where it is kept. You should have, at a minimum, an ABC type fire extinguisher

 

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FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT

We're prepared for storm season and urge our customers to prepare as well. Keep your family or business safe with a plan that includes evacuation routes, special medical needs, important phone numbers and supplies.
The following checklist can help you and your family prepare:

GO TO THE LINK FOR YOUR FPL CHECKLIST. http://www.fpl.com/storm/storm_prep.shtml

 

These are a list of 10 things that Building Owners, and Property Owners are suggested to do:

Please use a Qualified Contractor for any Job you may have. Some of these improvements to your Properties could result in reductions in insurance premiums after your insurance company has been informed of the improvements.

 

Install Hurricane Tie Downs: Roofs often go first in severe storms. Simple metal tie-down straps can keep roof rafters tied to the top wall of the house and prevents uplift during a hurricane's high winds. Straps can also secure walls to floors and keep floors tied tight to foundations. While this improvement takes some specialized skills, it's simple and inexpensive to accomplish, even without professional help.

Brace or Reinforce Garage Doors: More homes are "blown-up" in hurricanes then "blown-down". The reason? Weak garage doors blow into the house during a storm. When this happens, wind pressure fills the house with air and causes severe damage. For better protection invest in a sturdy garage door or bracing the one you have makes sense. For a quick reinforcement, secure two 2x4's across the inside of the door by attaching them to the side jambs of the garage door opening in the exterior wall.

Flood Proof Basements: Basements and crawlspaces flood when the volume of water in the soil builds to the point where walls can no longer hold it back. To avoid this, act now to remove obstructions from gutters, extend downspouts and eliminate low lying areas of soil, which allow water to run back into foundations. By keeping water away from the foundation, flooding can be minimized or avoided completely. To be extra cautious, be sure to remove important personal property from all below grade spaces in your home and check sump pump operation by filling the sump with a garden hose. The pump should come on before the sump overflows.

Trim Trees: Survey your yard for weak tree branches that lie within crashing distance of your home and trim these away before the hurricane. Also, you can avoid uprooting of larger trees by strategically removing branches to allow high winds to flow through.

Pick Up Projectiles: Every item left outside your home during a hurricane can become a dangerous projectile when fueled by high winds. Remove all outside furniture, garbage cans, toys, flowerpots or any other piece of personal property you can move.

Avoid Losing Power: Power outages are one of the primary hurricane damages. Prepare now for when the lights go out by buying a portable or standby generator and, for portables, enough fuel to run it for several days. If local stores are sold out, try Electric Generators Direct. They offers a wide range of products and delivery can be accomplished in just a few days.

Inventory and Document House Contents: An accurate inventory of your home's contents is a critical first step to getting back on your feet after a hurricane. An easy way to do this is to videotape each room of your home, making sure to open every drawer and closet.

Store Records Safely: It's important to store the inventory and other financial and legal safely so the records can't be destroyed in the very disaster you're trying to protect against. If possible, keep important records off-site in a safe deposit box, or at least in a fire-proof box.

Purchase Flood Insurance: According to the American Red Cross, even a Category 4 storm can trigger storm surges 13 - 18 feet above normal making flooding a real risk. Unfortunately though, protection for flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance policies. Therefore, the best way to protect your home in a hurricane and prevent the financial sting of hurricane damage is to purchase flood insurance. Flood insurance is available through a government backed Flood Insurance Program, but it's not cheap, has a 30 day waiting period and the coverage is minimum. Anything you can do now to minimize potential damage to your property before the storm hits is the best investment you can make.

Please be safe during this season. Frank J. Mari / Association Director