Florida DeafBlind Association - Hurricane Preparedness & Emergency

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2023 Hurricane Season Outlook

2023 Atlantic Storm Names:

Tropical Storm Arlene
Tropical Storm Bret
Tropical Storm Cindy
Hurricane Don
Tropical Storm Emily
Hurricane Franklin
Tropical Storm Gert
Tropical Storm Harold
Hurricane Idalia
Tropical Storm Jose
Tropical Storm Katia
Hurricane Lee
Hurricane Margot
Hurricane Nigel
Tropical Storm Ophelia
Tropical Storm Phillippe
Tropical Storm Rina
Tropical Storm Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney

Superheroes fly through the air above the storm. They can rescue you no matter what condition may be. They wear bright colored capes and suits, and they are often good-looking fellas and pretty ladies with special powers.

Unfortunately, they live in the make-believe world of Marvel. In real life, we have to use good old-fashioned everyday human skills to help us prepare for and survive the storms of life.

June 1st kicks off the beginning of hurricane season in Florida and other parts of United States. Do you have a plan for yourself and your loved ones? Whether you plan to shelter in place and ride out the storms in the comfort of your home or go to a shelter. You will need to be prepared.

Preparing for the storm can be overwhelming. There is so much to do, so much information to gather, so many preparations to make, and the list gets longer the more you think about it. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Keep a weather-proof security box with all important documents safely locked. This should include: (yours and the ones living in the household)

Bank accounts
Birth certificate
Identification card
Immunization cards
Insurance policies (car, health, homeowner, life, property, rental, and travel)
Marriage license or certificate (if applicable)
Passport
Service animal and pet record (medical, list of vaccinations, rabies info, and veterinary info)
Social Security card
Other important documents

2. In addition to having a vital statistic info, you should carry a list of the following (on your mobile device(s) or hardcopy in either print or braille format):

Name and phone numbers of your family and friends
Name and phone numbers of your healthcare providers
Name and phone numbers of your service animal/pet's veterinary clinic(s)
Name and phone number of your pharmacy
List of Rx and OTC medications

3. If you plan to evacuate:

Know where your assigned shelter is located. Several cities have Special Needs shelters, please visit Special Needs Shelter Program/Florida Department of Health
If you do go to a shelter, make sure you bring your favorite pillow, blanket, toiletries, hygiene kits, beauty supplies, medications, favorite snacks, and anything you can think of to keep your stay comfortable. Bring feeding bowls, food, and treats for your pet(s) if applicable
Be sure to bring your ICC equipment, laptop, mobile devices, device chargers, and make sure to download any apps to your device(s) to keep you busy
Check with the Special Needs shelter facility to ensure that you are registered (they normally do quarterly email/phone checks)
If you choose to stay in a hotel instead of a shelter, be sure your CN knows the evacuation route in your vicinity. Most importantly, book a hotel reservation as soon as you know that evacuation has been declared voluntary or mandatory. Don't wait. Hotels fill up quickly along the evacuation routes. The longer you wait, the further you will have to go to find availability. Try to choose a hotel that provides complimentary breakfast and snack shop. This will minimize the need to do grocery or food run if it is stormy outside.

4. If you plan to ride out and stay home, be sure to have the following that will last up to 5 days:

Bottled/Jug of water (at least one gallon per person and pet per day)
Boxed/bottled juices and sport drinks
Canned food, dry snacks, fruits, non-perishable food, and ready-to-eat (RTE) meals
Cooler with ice to keep perishable food, fluids, and medications cold
Extra batteries for your battery-powered appliances, devices, flashlights, lanterns, lamps, fans, and many more you normally use. Recharge lithium batteries ahead of time
Extra supply of Rx and OTC medications
Extra supply of cleaning sprays/wipes, hand wipes, and hand sanitizer
Extra supply of dog/cat food, chews, treats, and/or medications
Fully charged power banks to power your technology equipment
Fully stocked First-Aid kits for humans and pets
Invest in battery-powered lights and generators

Here are some safety tips:

Never leave the house or shelter during a storm. Even if it is calm outside, do not go out. This could be the eye of the storm.
Never have a gas-powered generator inside a home. Carbon Monoxide poisoning kills people and pets
Do not light candles or anything with fire
Be very careful with hot plates. Consider using a slow cooker, griddle, and/or indoor grill
Stay away from windows and doors during storm
Follow weather reports closely
After the storm, do not venture out onto the streets or even in the yard without a sighted person. You never know if there are downed power lines or dangerous debris on the ground
If evacuation is mandatory—leave immediately. Emergency workers may not be able to get to you in the storm if you need help.

Here are some considerations:

Create a hurricane kit. Purchase air-tight containers and fill them with non-perishable food. Fill other air-tight containers with batteries, flashlights, power banks, first aid kits, and other needed supplies
Have emergency contact ready in an accessible format in case of a storm.
Obtain list of evacuation routes and zones. You can find more information online

NEW! Florida's 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday kicks off Saturday, May 27th. During the sales tax holiday period, which runs from Saturday, May 27 through Friday, June 9, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax. The disaster preparedness sales tax holiday will take place again from Saturday, August 26 to Friday, September 8.

$10 or less: