Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Information for OTOW Residents Edith Gandy
Watch vs. Warning A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. A hurricane watch is usually issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds. During a hurricane watch, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from local officials.
Watch vs. Warning Hurricane warnings indicate that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Since hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph), hurricane warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of to allow for important preparation. During a hurricane warning, complete storm preparations and decide whether to leave the threatened area or ride out the storm.
OTOW s Pre-Season Preparation OTOW s preparations begin prior to the beginning of the hurricane season we don t wait until the season begins or until hurricane approaches to prepare. This month we are reviewing our emergency preparedness manual and updating it to cover any new communities, facilities, etc.
OTOW s Pre-Season Preparation Each key OTOW supervisor/staff member is assigned specific responsibilities, both for hurricane preparation and hurricane recovery. The goal is to do everything well in advance of the beginning of the season. Just as OTOW s staff fully prepares in advance, it is important for residents to be fully prepared well in advance.
OTOW s Preparation Hurricane Watch When a hurricane watch is issued for Marion County, all supervisors meet to review the plan and ensure that they have sufficient personnel ready to secure the community. At this point, each staff member will make sure that their area of responsibility is secure, that they have necessary equipment in a ready state, and that all employees have clear and concise instructions as to their emergency responsibilities before and after the hurricane.
Preparation It is important to think in terms of preparation for the season rather than an event. Waiting to prepare until a hurricane threatens, can be too late in terms of being able to find the supplies you need. Once the storm is offshore and the bad weather begins, it is often dangerous and difficult to venture out for supplies.
Preparation Review the Hurricane/Storm Preparedness Checklist http://ontopoftheworldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hurricane-checklist.pdf
Preparation Stock up on supplies. Florida has a tax holiday at the beginning of hurricane season to encourage residents to plan ahead and be prepared for storm season. From June 1 to June 7, residents can buy hurricane preparedness items tax free.
Qualifying Items Selling for $10 or less: Reusable ice (reusable ice packs) Selling for $20 or less: Any portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) Selling for $25 or less: Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers
Qualifying Items Selling for $30 or less: Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries): AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt Coolers and ice chests (food-storage; nonelectrical)
Qualifying Items Selling for $50 or less: Tarpaulins (tarps) - Plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting Ground anchor systems - Tie-down kits, bungee cords, ratchet straps Radios (powered by battery, solar, or hand-crank) includes two-way and weather band radios
Qualifying Items Selling for $750 or less: Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage First-aid kits
OTOW s Preparation - Hurricane Warning When a hurricane warning is issued, that means that a hurricane could hit Marion County within 36 hours. At this point, an OTOW command center is set up and each key staff member begins implementation of their segment of the hurricane preparedness process. Customer service will also notify residents to secure any loose items outside their residences, at RV storage, garden club areas, etc.
Things You Can Do Before the Season Things you can do before the start of hurricane season include: Assess your home s landscaping and the possible threat from falling trees. Trees can be a mixed blessing. They can serve as a wind block and actually protect buildings, but they can also fall and become a hazard even in 30 mph winds. Identify loose objects around the yard that will need to be secured in the event a storm approaches.
Things You Can Do Before the Season Have a plan for where to seek shelter in your home if high winds threaten, preferably an interior room away from exterior doors and windows. Interior hallways, closets and bathrooms are often the safest locations. Talk with your friends and family and let everyone know where your predetermined safe room is in your home.
Things You Can Do Before the Season Call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Don t forget coverage for your car, RV or boat!
Things You Can Do Before the Season Know where your insurance documents and contact information are located. Consider investing in a small portable water-proof/ fire-proof lockbox. Be sure to take important documents with you if you have to evacuate.
Things You Can Do Before the Season Sign up now if you think you will require a special needs facility in the event of evacuation. Make plans with your family and friends. Your plan should include: Phone numbers of a pre-assigned contact person(s) for family members to call List of where to find information on shelters (television, radio, websites) Online places family members can use to list themselves as safe
Things You Can Do As a Storm Approaches If you plan to evacuate, it is important to plan ahead and talk about where you will go and what you will do before, during and after evacuation. Fill up your vehicles whether you plan to evacuate or not. Gas pumps won t work if power is out. Fully charge your cell phone and back-up batteries. If you plan to evacuate, you should plan to bring medications, oxygen, health insurance cards, a list of health conditions, prescriptions, and emergency contact phone numbers. This is especially important for older adults who may have chronic medical conditions that require multiple medications.
What About Pets? Don t overlook plans for your pets. Keeping a pet safe requires the same proactive planning you would do for the rest of your family.
Planning for Pets Safety To keep your pet safe in the event of a hurricane, your choices are: keep the pet with you at home take it with you if you evacuate leave it with a friend or at a vet or kennel Currently, the only pet-friendly shelter listed in Marion County is Vanguard High School and it fills up quickly. Most others don t accept pets.
Keeping Pets at Home If you don t evacuate, bring your pets inside early. Animals can sense coming bad weather and may get anxious. Use the same safety precautions during the storm as for your family (such as staying away from large windows and remaining in a room with no exterior walls). If you have a crate for your pet, consider using that to provide a sense of security.
Evacuating with Pets If you think you are likely to evacuate and take your pet, check with hotels along the way to see whether any will allow pets, otherwise, your pet may have to spend the night in the car. If you don t plan to take your pet, consider where you will be leaving the pet and make allowances for the time to get there. When a hurricane threatens, be quick to check with vets and kennels to see if they can board your pets space fills up quickly. If you put your pet with a vet or in a kennel, most will require proof of current vaccinations.
If You Must Leave Pets Home alone the absolute last resort Leaving pets alone during the storm risks their injury or escape if your house is badly damaged. If you must leave your pets behind, put them in an interior room, make sure they are tagged with your name and number, and try to arrange for someone to check on them after the storm. Make sure there is plenty of water and food, ideally in containers that are self-filling. Large dogs may be able to drink from a filled bathtub. Take a recent photo of pets for identification.
Things You Can Do During the Storm Staying Safe During a Hurricane Stay indoors. Don t go out during a lull in the storm. It is often the eye passing over and dangerous conditions can return quickly. Use flashlights if the power goes out. It is not a good idea to use candles due to fire danger. Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
Things You Can Do During the Storm Staying Safe Outdoors Stay off the streets to allow emergency crews to do their jobs. If you must go out during or immediately after the storm, don't walk, swim or drive through flooded areas. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car. Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Underpasses, dips, and low spots can become dangerous if filled with water. Avoid contact with standing water. It may be contaminated or contain things like snakes or fire ants.
How Fire Ants Survive a Storm
Things You Can Do After the Storm After a Hurricane Let friends and family know you re safe Register yourself as safe on the Red Cross Safe and Well website: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php or post on Facebook or other social media sites.
Things You Can Do After the Storm After a Hurricane If you have evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe. Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. Stay alert for post-hurricane rainfall, lightening, tornados and other weather issues.
After the Storm - Cleaning Up Your Residence Don t Over-Do It. Cleaning up damage in and around your home can be a big job: Rest when you need to in order to avoid over-exertion. Decide which cleanup tasks are most important, and focus on those first. That way, you re less likely to be overwhelmed. Get help lifting heavy or bulky objects. Try to work with other people around, so you aren t working alone if you have a problem.
After the Storm - Cleaning Up Your Residence Take Precautions Avoid contact with power lines, and take extra care in dealing with trees, branches, mailboxes, metal fences, etc., that could be touching live power lines. In this photo, the tree, mailbox and fence are touching a live wire, yet it would be hard to see from the other side.
After the Storm - Cleaning Up Your Residence Take Precautions Use extreme caution with generators. Portable generators can produce enough carbon monoxide to kill a person within minutes. Due to the risks, generators should never be operated anywhere inside a home, including in garages. Portable generators should be at least 30 feet away from your home and should operate only in dry areas. Use Caution!
After the Storm - Cleaning Up Your Residence Prevent Mold Growth During a hurricane, water can come in under doors, around window sills and through areas of structural damage. Clean up and dry your home quickly after the storm ends. Within 24 to 48 hours if possible. Air out your house by opening doors and windows. Throw away anything that you can t dry quickly (such as soaked carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, water-logged upholstered furniture, etc.). Thoroughly clean wet items and surfaces with warm water and detergent or bleach. Fix or cover any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing as soon as you can.
After the Storm - Cleaning Up Your Residence If you clean up mold with a mix of bleach and water: Never use bleach in a closed space. Open windows and doors first. Protect your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. To make your mold cleaner, mix 1 cup of household bleach with 1 gallon of water.
OTOW Community Security For safety reasons, the gate attendant and nonessential employees will be sent home when weather conditions reach dangerous levels. During the storm and immediately thereafter, all gates will be left open to allow access by emergency personnel.
After the Storm After the storm, except for approved visitors, the community may be closed to non-residents until it is deemed safe. In addition to security and safety reasons, this is to discourage curious onlookers.
Debris Clean-Up OTOW s first priority will be to make the roadways passable. Debris pick-up will begin on a street-by-street basis.
In Closing In OTOW there is a sense of community. Think about creating a group of neighbors and friends to help each other in emergencies. Discussing how you and your neighbors plan to respond to an emergency will help you remain calm, think clearly and look out for one another. Being ready helps you and your community. It also helps emergency workers do their jobs more effectively.
Hurricane Season Starts June st 1