10/07/2024
Everyone in Florida:
Make sure you have enough canned food, bottled water, batteries, flashlights, candles, matches, lighter fluid. It’s also a good idea to get a sterno stove (or if you have a barbecue, propane). Although South Florida looks like it will be spared, we will still get strong gusts that may knock down power lines. You want to be ready for power outages.
Make sure you fill up your tank and take out cash. Gas stations and ATMs will be out of service in areas directly impacted and may be out of service in areas with less impact.
Place important documents like house deeds, vehicle titles, birth certificates, passports, etc in zip lock bags to keep them from getting wet or damaged should wind and water enter your home.
If local stores run out of water, you can bottle filtered water or boil tap water and bottle it. You can also reserve buckets of tap water for cleaning, cooking, bathing, etc. Water supply may be limited depending on how severe the area was impacted.
If you are in an evacuation zone, please evacuate!! If you’re in a flood zone, place sand bags in front of your door and if you can, see if you can move out of the area. If not, make sure you have enough food and water.
Most importantly, BE CALM. You can’t prepare and plan if you’re under stress. Check advisories often and learn about wind zones. Hurricane force winds are confined to the center of the storm. Winds decrease in strength the further away from the center you are, but do not let your guard down.
Bring loose furniture and potted plants inside. Or secure larger furniture to keep from becoming debris during the storm.
