oes from June 1 to November 30, kicks off this week, and the lessons of last year’s Hurricanes Ian and Nicole fresh in the minds of Floridians, its always a good idea for residents to prepare now to protect their health and property heading into the season.
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters with the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, near-normal Atlantic hurricane activity is predicted this year, in part due to potential for El Nino to develop this summer. NOAA is forecasting between 12 and 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, five to nine could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including one to four major hurricanes (with winds of 111 mph or higher).
“As we saw with Hurricane Ian, it only takes one hurricane to cause widespread devastation and upend lives so regardless of the number of storms predicted this season, it is critical that everyone understand their risk and heed the warnings of state and local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell. “Whether you live on the coast or further inland, hurricanes can cause serious impacts to everybody in their path.”
City Manager Bill McDaniel encourages residents to have a plan in place in advance to successfully manage a storm. “It’s important to plan and prepare in advance,” said McDaniel. “By doing so, you avoid being caught up in the rush to obtain supplies or take other actions to prepare your home and your loved ones for the storm.”
He said many sources of information about hurricane preparation and planning are available to guide residents through their planning efforts including online resources as well as an annual hurricane guide published by Hillsborough County in both English and Spanish.
Have a plan in place for storm approach, passage of the storm, and the aftermath. There are many sources of information on hurricane preparation and planning available to guide your planning efforts. Preparations can include:
Keeping Track of Your Medications: After a storm, you may have limited supplies of prescription medications and your local pharmacy may be closed. You need a list of each prescription medication you take, its dosing instructions and the name and contact information of the prescribing doctor. Keep this information updated and with you should a storm threaten and be sure to bring your medications with you if you must evacuate. By Florida law, if you live in a county under a hurricane warning or in a declared state of emergency, you can get a 30-day refill of your prescription even if it’s too early to get one.
Updating Your Contact List: Ensure you have an updated list of all important contacts, including doctors, friends and relatives. If possible, identify an out-of-state friend or relative who can relay to others about your evacuation and health status and can serve as a point-of-contact for others trying to reach you.
Compiling a Disaster Supply Kit: The contents of disaster supply kits vary, depending whether a family has children, pets or members with disabilities. Generally, everyone’s kit should include: water for drinking and bathing (at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least seven days), food that does not need refrigeration for three to seven days, personal hygiene items, important documents, a first-aid kit and cash and coins.
Knowing Your Equipment: After a storm, many people are hurt or killed by carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe generator usage, dangerous large tools such as chainsaws or other unfamiliar equipment. Learning how to use these tools in the chaos after a storm can lead to accidents. Now is the time to read your owner’s manuals and learn how to use each one.
Purchasing Supplies During Tax-Free Holiday: Stock up on hurricane essentials during the 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, happening now through June 9. Examples of tax-free items include: flashlights and lanterns, radios, coolers and portable power banks, batteries and fuel tanks and generators.
For more information visit www.floridadisaster.org or call Hillsborough County’s Emergency Management Office at www.hillsboroughcounty.org.