Hurricane Preparedness … (Do YOU need help?)
Categories: Community Information, Home Owner's Insurance, Real Estate News
hiWhether South Florida will be hammered by the storm … or merely brushed by the outer bands… is unclear. Taking Mother Nature seriously is something we get better at… one hurricane at a time . Home Depot and Publix are packed with South Floridians preparing for Hurricane Ike. While some of us will hunker down alone… others will reach out … weathering the storm with friends and family and neighbors: cooking, making ‘light’ of it (… difusing the fury of mother nature through social interaction … as we weather the storm together). A category 3 Hurricane (with sustained winds of 111-135 mph)… even for revelers… is time to stock up on essentials and secure our homes. Whatever you do or don’t yet have, fill as many plastic containers as you can with water (an inch short of the rim)… Freeze them into blocks of ice… before the storm hits. Ice becomes both a luxury and a necessity, in the aftermath… with ‘no power’. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their lowest settings. Run through your checklist to make sure you have basic provisions (and comforts!) in your home… enough to last 3-7 days: Fully-charge your cellular. (By the way, a cordless house phone usually doesn’t work after a storm… but a tradtional phone often will!). Gather the basics: Battery operated flashlights & radio ( Extra batteries). Tool kit. Medicines/Prescription drugs to last two weeks. First aid supplies and bugspray. Plastic plates, cups, napkins, utensils. Paper towells. Toilet paper. Clorox (in case the water supply is tainted following the storm). Cash. House & car keys. Gas-up your car. Make sure you have cooking fuel/propane gas for the grill. A cooler. Pet food & supplies (collars, leashes, ID tags). Childcare products (diapers/formula/baby food). Secure important papers in a watertight container or ziplock bag: Drivers license, passport, credit cards, insurance cards/medical records, essential phone numbers, bank account numbers, social security cards, homeowners/windstorm coverage papers, and your ATM card (though keep in mind that after a storm that ATM card may not work). The Publix in Dadeland has generator back-up, and WILL open after the storm… though supplies may dwindle considerably! Organize your freezer with food that defrosts quickest, being on the very top… before the storm hits. (If you can “grab and dash”, you’ll spend less time with the freezer door open, keeping more cold air IN!)
Think about what you’d grab… were you told to evacuate… Photos, jewelry, treasures, memories? Worth giving some thought to. It’s not an easy decision, made in haste. You’ll need pillows & blankets. Clothing. Shoes. Medicines. Toiletries. (Games, books and toys for the kids). Stock enough supplies to last a MINIMUM of 3 days. Food … non-perishable packaged or canned goods (a manual can opener), snack items (nuts, dried fruit, cookies, crackers, cereal, peanut butter)… and… fresh fruit. At least 1 gallon of water per person/per day (at the very minimum). Juices/gatorade/soda. Secure your homes… board up early… and stay safe.
Submerge patio furniture in the pool. Secure loose objects. If you need help or supplies, reach out. Ask your neighbor! If you have special transportation needs the number to call is: (305) 263 -5406. And if you are without power the number is 1 (800) 4-OUTAGE – to contact FPL. Check with your neighbors who may need your help… before (and after) the storm.
