| Hurricane
Guide 2011 | | The information provided is intended to assist
residents in making preparations for an approaching storm as well as some additional
information to help you after the storm. With a little preparation, being "Hurricane
Prepared" is not a difficult thing, nor is it very time consuming. All it
requires is a little planning, a little shopping and keeping up with the weather
both in your local area and in the tropics. You may want to save this information
in a safe place and review the contents when a storm is approaching. |
|
| Hurricane
Season June 1 through November 30 | | Renowned
forecasters anticipate 16 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin between June
1 and Nov. 30. Nine of the storms are predicted to become hurricanes, and of those
nine, five are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes. "It
doesn't matter what the numbers are," center spokesman Dennis Feltgen said
Wednesday, repeating a center mantra that it takes only one powerful storm to
make it a bad season. | | | 2011
Hurricane Names |
• Arlene
• Bret
• Cindy
• Don
• Emily
• Franklin
• Gert | •
Harvey
• Irene
• Jose
• Katia
• Lee
•
Maria
• Nate | • Ophelia
• Philippe
• Rina
• Sean
• Tammy
• Vince
• Whitney |
| | | Have
A Plan In Place | 1. You and your family should have
a plan in place before disaster strikes. Decide on places where you would meet,
for example a neighbor's home, public place or school.
2. Have an
out-of-state relative or friend as a family contact so that all family members
have a single point of contact.
3. Identify two ways of contact
like a phone number and email address. Post emergency telephone numbers by your
telephones, on the refrigerator, in your wallet or purse, and in children's backpacks.
4. Make sure children know how and when to call 911.
5. Take photographs or video of your home and personal property for possible insurance
claims.
6. Listen carefully to authorities to know whether you should
remain in your home or evacuate to safety.
7. Be prepared to take
your disaster supply kit with you if you evacuate.
8. Plan how you
will take care of your pets.
9. Review and practice your disaster
plan with your family every six months.
10. Also, be sure you have
at least one vehicle with a full tank of gas at all times.
|
| | What
Should I Do When A Watch or Warning Is Issued? |
A TROPICAL STORM is an organized system of strong thunderstorms
with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph.
A HURRICANE is a tropical cyclone, which generally forms
in the tropics and is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation
of winds and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.
A HURRICANE
WATCH indicates the possibility that our area could experience hurricane
conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan,
and proactive measures should be initiated especially those actions that require
extra time such as boarding up, securing a boat and loose debris around the outside
of your home.
A HURRICANE WARNING indicates that
sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this warning
has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing proactive
actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.
Before A Watch Or Warning Is Issued….YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED!
|
| | Be
Prepared | | Assemble your Hurricane Disaster Kit
now. Put aside in a special box in the garage or some other area. Keep heat sensitive
items inside home and rotate stock throughout the season. Batteries can go in
the refrigerator. When a storm threatens, lines will be long and supplies short.
We recommend you get the following items now: |
|
Flashlights - Buy one for everyone in the home and make sure
they are of good quality. | |
Battery powered radio - Am/Fm radio A MUST. Weather radio is
good. | | Rechargeable
battery - operated lanterns - Candles and kerosene lanterns
are fire hazards. You can use them but don't fall asleep or leave them unattended!
| | Clock
- Wind-up or battery-operated | |
Work Clothing - A clean change of clothes for everyone store
in water tight plastic bags. | | Rain
gear - Found in surplus stores | | Sturdy
swamp boots and working gloves - Flooding should be expected. |
| TV
antenna - An inexpensive model, to use when cable goes out. |
| Working
fire extinguishers – You should have one or two in your home at all
times, not just when a hurricane is expected. Inspect seal, check charge gage.
Should be a class ABC! | | Extra
batteries - For flashlight, lantern, radios, and clock. |
| Extra
bulbs - Make sure they fit the flashlights you buy | | Toilet
paper - One roll per family member. | | Matches
- Good ones, Ohio blue tip, lighters, they are cheap...get a bunch. |
| Plastic
garbage bags - Get quality for storage, and get cheap ones for trash.
| |
Manual can opener – Cannot open most canned foods without one.
| |
Pocketknife - preferably Swiss Army style. | |
Grill or camp stove - or some other cooking device and plenty
of fuel. Use canned fuel inside your home, not charcoal or gas. |
|
Ice chests - Coolers - Try to have at least two...one for ice
and one for refrigeration. | | Paper
or plastic plates, cups, and silverware - There might be no running water
to keep dishes clean. | | Medicines/Prescription
Drugs - You need to keep at least a two week supply on hand. |
| A
MUST...CASH - Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended
periods. | | It is important
to have the following documentation: |
|
Phone numbers - Make this ahead of time and test the numbers.
Important numbers...family, friends, and insurance company. | |
Homeowners insurance policy - Talk to your agent about your coverage
and keep a copy of your policy in a safe place and keep one with you in a zip
lock bag. | | Life
insurance policy - keep a copy of your policy in a safe place and keep
one with you in a zip lock bag. | | Car
insurance policy - keep a copy of your policy in a safe place and keep
one with you in a zip lock bag. | |
Proof of Residence - Your drivers license or another picture
identification should have your correct address...if not the police may not let
you back into the area. |
| | | Food
& Water Supplies | Right now, before you change your
mind, go out and buy all the nonperishable foods you will need to feed your family
for a week. Put these items in a box and rotate the stock, as needed. Avoid foods
that are salty or high in fat or protein; they'll make you thirsty.
After a hurricane watch is issued, stock up on ice and pack coolers as early as
possible, if you wait too long the stores will be mobbed and sold out of ice.
Freezing or storing ice ahead of time is a lot less hassle than fighting for it
at a store. Do not use empty milk jugs, no mater how well they are cleaned, you
will never get all the milk out of the pores in the plastic! Bacteria will grow
and you will get sick from it.
Before the power is lost, break out
the ice cube trays and put them to use. Store cubes or small blocks of ice in
sealed bags and containers so you can drink it after it melts. Fill jugs with
water, so you can be making and storing ice in your freezer or coolers around
the clock. Before the storm hits, turn your refrigerator and freezer to the
coldest setting, and let them get as cold as possible.
After the
power goes out drape blankets over them, this will help keep them cool. Then move
perishables you will use first into ice chests to limit opening of refrigerators.
Designate one cooler you will open regularly; fill that with drinks
and less perishable items. Set aside other coolers for more perishable things
such as meats and open them rarely.
| | | What
to buy |
|
Bottled water - This is very handy you can carry them as you
work | |
Shelf packaged juice and milk boxes - These store well |
| Beverages
- powdered or canned, fruit juices, instant coffee, tea |
| Prepared
foods - canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef
hash, fruit cocktail, packaged pudding | |
Canned vegetables and fruits | |
Dried fruits - snacks for you and the kids. | |
Snacks - crackers, cookies, hard candy, and nuts watch the salt
content. | | Snack
spreads - peanut butter, cheese spreads, and jelly. | | Cereals
- They are good without milk. | |
Raw vegetables - keep them cool | |
Sugar, salt, pepper - There has to be taste in your food! |
|
Bread - This will keep for a little while | | Dry
and canned pet food - don't forget these guys. | |
Extra formula, baby food – the baby won't let you forget. |
| | | During
the Storm | Stay inside, away from windows, skylights,
and glass doors. Find the safest place in the house to ride out the storm...generally
some place in the interior of the house i.e., an interior closet. Keep a supply
of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and
kerosene lamps, as a source of light. If power is lost, turn off major appliances
to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.
|
| | Shelters...For
People Who Cannot Stay At Home | The schedule for opening shelters
will be announced on local radio and television stations. Residents and tourists
are advised to monitor broadcast stations for shelter openings. Red Cross emergency
shelters are available four hours after an evacuation order is issued. A Red Cross
shelter is a place of refuge for residents and tourists whose homes or hotels
are in the evacuation zone or are deemed unsafe, such as a mobile home. The shelter
is not a medical shelter; only basic first aid will be available. The Red Cross
does not accept responsibility for storing valuable personal property. Shelters
are equipped with generators, but they may or may not be airconditioned. If electrical
power is interrupted, portable generators will not be able to keep air conditioners
running.
What to Bring
Evacuees should bring with them what they require to secure their personal comfort.
Cots, air mattresses, blankets and pillows (none will be provided), snacks and
personal meals. Bring playing cards, games, and books for entertainment. Personal
items such as medication, eyeglasses, hearing aid, flashlights, toothbrushes and
toothpaste, battery-operated radio. For babies, an ample amount of food, formula,
juice, blankets, diapers and wipes. Also bring a stroller and portable playpen
or crib.
Before Leaving Your Home
Have a good meal. Turn off electricity at the fuse box (to prevent possible fire).
Turn off water at the outside line. Turn off gas for gas water heaters (to prevent
possible fire).
What NOT to Bring
Pets...there is one pet shelter, but pre-registration is required, call 954 359-1313
ext. 227 for more information. Firearms or explosive devices; intoxicating beverages
or illegal drugs. All evacuees must register at the time they enter the shelter.
The head of the family may register for all.
Special Needs Shelters
Broward County operates a Special Needs
Shelter Program for qualified residents in an evacuation area in the event of
a hurricane. Special needs residents are defined as persons with health-related
problems who do not qualify for admission to a public shelter operated by the
American Red Cross due to the nature of their health care needs. YOU
MUST
REGISTER IN ADVANCE, BEFORE A STORM THREAT.
If the Hurricane Hotline has already been activated in response to a storm threat,
it is TOO LATE to register for a special needs shelter. Call a family member,
friend, physician, or as a last resort, hospital.
For Special
Needs Shelter
To register, residents should contact the Broward
County Elderly and Veterans Services Division at 954-537-2888 or TTY 954-537-2882.
Your primary care physician will be required to complete a portion of the registration
form.
For Shelters Allowing Pets
Call 954
359 1313 ext. 227 | | | Shelters
for residents of North Lauderdale | 1. Lyons
Creek Middle School - 4333 Sol Press Boulevard, Coconut Creek
2. Coral Glades High School - 2700 Sportsplex Drive, Coral Springs
3. Monarch High - 5050 Wiles Road, Coconut Creek
4. Pompano
Beach High School - 1400 NE 6th Street, Pompano Beach
6. Park Lakes Elementary School - 3925 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes
| | | After
The Storm | Be careful to take certain precautions after
the storm has passed. Damage to your home can have a dramatic emotional impact,
and it's best to have a plan before the storm strikes. Having a plan, and being
aware of certain risks, will minimize the threat of harm to you or your family.
Stay turned to local news organizations, such as
a radio or television station, for important announcements, bulletins, and instructions
concerning the storm area, medical aid and other forms of assistance, such as
food, water, and shelter. If the need arises, North Lauderdale will have a distribution
of water, ice and meals at Hampton Pines Park, 7800 Hampton Boulevard. The distribution
spot WILL NOT BE OPEN for three to five days.
You
must be prepared for the first five days. Remember that you may not have immediate
access to your home. Emergency rescue crews, power crews, and other personnel
may be attending to special needs. Roads could be blocked, power lines could be
down, and people may be trapped and in need of assistance. Make sure that you
have current identification. You may have to pass through identification check
points before being allowed access to your home/neighborhood. Avoid driving, as
roads may be blocked. Avoid sightseeing, or entering a storm ravaged area unnecessarily.
You could be mistaken for a looter.
Avoid downed power lines, even
if they look harmless. Also, metal fences and other metal objects near downed
lines. DO NOT use matches in a storm ravaged area until all gas
lines are checked for leaks. (Keep flashlights and plenty of batteries at hand.)
DO NOT cook with charcoal inside your house. DO NOT use
a generator in the house or near open windows.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
is the leading cause of death after a hurricane. Avoid turning the power on at
your home if there is flooding present. Have a professional electrician conduct
a thorough inspection first. Consider having professionals/licensed contractors
inspect your home for damage and help in repairs. This includes electricians,
as well as professionals to inspect gas lines, remove uprooted trees, and check
plumbing. Remember that downed or damaged trees can contain power lines that can
be a hazard.
Use a camera or camcorder to record thoroughly any damage
done to your home, before any repairs are attempted. In certain areas, the flooding
rains that accompany a storm can create pest problems. Be aware of potential pest
problems in your area, such as mice, rats, insects or snakes, that may have "come
with the storm".
Telephone lines will likely be busy in the
area; use a phone only for emergencies. Flooding brings with it the risk of waterborne
bacterial contaminations. You should assume that the tap water is not safe and
use properly stored water, or boil your tap water.
|
| | Clean
Up | Once the roads are clear, cleanup on your own property
may begin. Storm debris should be prepared for pickup as quickly as possible since
special collection may be available only for a limited time. After the designated
time, debris will be the responsibility of the property owner. Please follow these
instructions and separate storm debris into these categories:
Household garbage Perishable items, such as food and normal household
waste, will be collected by your regular garbage service provider. This type of
garbage will have priority service. Service may be interrupted due to road closures.
Normal recycling collection will resume as soon as possible, but all other services
have priority.
Yard debris Plants or small tree
branches should be contained in a bag, box, can or tied for normal collection.
Excessive tree debris and large cut tree sections may be collected as an expanded
service after a storm. All material must be moved to the road right-of-way.
Construction debris bulk items Storm damaged bulk items, such
as large furniture and materials relating to building construction, may be collected
as an extension of service. Construction debris is not included in normal collection
service.
After a severe storm, citizens should follow regular service
guidelines, watch for service changes published in the local news media or contact
Public Works (listed below) for more information.
| | Top
Tips | WATER
If a "Boil
Water Order" is issued for North Lauderdale, it will be announced in the
media. Residents should stay tuned to local radio and television station for updates
or call the Hurricane Hotline at 954-831-4000. Generally, a boil water order applies
to drinking water. Residents are safe showering under a boil water order, but
should keep water out of the eyes and mouth. If the quality of your water is questionable,
there are three ways to disinfect water:
1. Boil water for 1 minute
before drinking it.
2. Use water purifying tablets (generally available
from the local pharmacy), according to package directions.
3. Use common
household, unscented bleach. Add 8 drops chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
Mix thoroughly. Let stand for 30 minutes. If water does not have a slight chlorine
odor, repeat the dosage and let stand 15 minutes.
TREES
Before the Storm
• Trim very tall trees (30-40
feet high) so they will not topple over in the wind or suffer broken branches.
• Prune trees before storm season, and when the tree is healthy.
• All branches that rest on the roof should be removed.
After the Storm
• Trees that have been overturned are not necessarily
lost.
• If the tree is large, cover the roots with burlap or heavy cloth
and keep it wet with a hose.
| | | Emergency
Phone Numbers | | Keep these numbers handy for before,
during and after the storm. Only call 911 in case of an emergency, as police and
fire rescue will be too busy for non-emergency calls. Once winds reach 45 miles
per hour or higher all emergency vehicles will be parked. That is why it is important
to be prepared and hunker down in a safe place until the storm passes through.
| Police/Fire: 911
Broward
County Hurricane Hotline: 954-831-4000
Broward Emergency
Management: 954-831-3900
Broward County Transit:
954-357-RIDE (7433)
North Lauderdale Hurricane Hotline:
954 551-2566
North Lauderdale Public Works: 954-724-7070
North Lauderdale Parks & Recreation: 954-724-7061
North Lauderdale Community Development: 954-724-7069
American Red Cross: 954-763-9900
| To
report an outage to FP&L, call 1-800-468-8243. This automated system will
record your outage. Have your account number with you. Visit www.FPL.com
for news of storm restoration and maps.
Peoples Gas for any
natural gas emergencies call 1-877-832-6747 Bell South Telephone service
calling from a Bellsouth phone dial 611 or from wireless or non-Bellsouth phone
or outside of Florida 1-800-432-1424
Please remember...
distribution sites for water, ice and meals will not open for three to
five days after a storm hits. You need to have essential items on hand for your
family. North Lauderdale will have a distribution site at Hampton Pines Park 7800
Hampton Blvd.
• If the tree
is small, reset it back into the hole, brace it, trim the top back and fertilize.
• North Lauderdale will remove trees from public rights-of-way only.
| | |
