Hazardous Weather
Create a plan, protect your family
Reprinted from Florida Weather Preparedness Guide

Hazardous Weather Plan

When Hurricane Floyd menaced Florida in September 1999, residents saw a storm that was bigger and stronger than 1992’s Hurricane Andrew.

As a result, when the National Hurricane Center said that the track of the storm would bring it dangerously close to Florida’s east coast, more than one million people decided it was time to get out of harm’s way. Many of those residents were responding to the call of their county emergency managers, but the vast majority were acting on their own.

There was heavy traffic in certain areas, but the largest evacuation in state history was carried out safely.

The resulting gridlock on parts of the state’s highway system has resulted in a call from Governor Jeb Bush for a committee to study the state’s evacuation planning.

But evacuation is just one option in what should be a preparedness plan for every family and every individual in the state.

Florida’s weather disasters can come in many forms: hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, thunderstorms and lightning. Unless you live in a low-lying area or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that emergency managers will ask you to evacuate. That means it is important for you and your family to have a plan that makes you as safe as possible in your home.

And while your plan should reflect some differences based on different kinds of weather, it is critical that you have one plan for all disasters.

Since your family is not together 24 hours a day, the first piece of your plan should consider how you will find each other. Even when you are at home, it is critical that your family has a plan for where to meet should severe weather or another emergency force you to evacuate.

Responding to a disaster is certainly easier when the whole family is together at home, but Florida’s severe weather doesn't always cooperate with its timing. Some family members could be at school and others could be at work when disaster strikes. As residents of the state, you have the responsibility of making sure that schools and businesses have disaster plans as well, and that they are executed.

Be sure to take in account special considerations for all family members, including family pets. And, the first and most important thing that any Floridian should do when facing hazardous weather conditions is to use common sense.
Hazardous Weather Plan
  1. Buy a NOAA Weather Radio.
  2. Discuss the type of disasters that could happen.
  3. Pick two place to meet – one right outside your home and another somewhere else in your community (possibly at a child’s school).
  4. Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members can call and tell that person where they are.
  5. Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
  6. Post emergency telephone numbers by your phone.
  7. Teach children how and when to call 911.
  8. Show each family member how to shut off water, gas and electric at the main switches.
  9. Check your insurance coverage and carry a copy of your policy.
  10. Stock nonperishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit.
  11. Determine the best escape routes from your home.
  12. Find a safe room or the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
  13. Maintain a three-day supply of water and food that won't spoil, a change of clothing, a blanket or sleeping bag for each person and a first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
  14. Keep emergency tools handy, including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries and a fire extinguisher.
  15. Keep an extra set of car keys, credit card, cash and traveler's checks.
  16. Hold important family documents in a fire and waterproof container.
  17. Conduct home fire drills at least twice a year.
  18. Test smoke detectors and NOAA Weather Radio at least twice a year.
  19. Replace back-up batteries in Spring and Fall when daylight-saving-time changes.
  20. Take first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes through the American Red Cross.