How to Prepare for a Hurricane: Essential Tips to Ensure Safety

Hurricane season can be unpredictable, but one thing is certain: preparation is crucial. Hurricanes can cause immense damage, both to property and human life. Thus, understanding how to prepare can make all the difference. Here’s your comprehensive guide to hurricane preparedness:

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Basic Preparedness Tips:

  1. Know where to go: Familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes. If ordered to evacuate, do so without hesitation. Your local emergency management agency will provide more information about safe zones.
  2. Disaster Supply Kit: Ensure you have a flashlight, spare batteries, cash for emergencies, first aid supplies, and essential documents. This kit can be a lifesaver if you have to evacuate or are trapped.
  3. Stay Prepared at Home: If you’re not in an evacuation zone but decide to remain at home, stock up. You might lose access to power or water, or might be unable to leave due to blockages or flooding.
  4. Family Communication Plan: Make sure all family members know how to contact each other and where to meet up in case of separation.
  5. Stay Updated: Sign up for local emergency notifications. For those in Indian River County, you can Register Here for alerts.

Preparing your Home:

  1. Tree Maintenance: Trim or remove any damaged trees or branches to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles during strong winds.
  2. Gutters and Downspouts: Secure any loose rain gutters and clear them of debris to ensure proper drainage and reduce the risk of water damage.
  3. Reinforce Your Home: If possible, make modifications to strengthen the roof, windows, doors, and garage against high winds.
  4. Consider a Generator: A portable generator can be vital during power outages. Ensure it’s placed outside and away from windows, and NEVER plug it directly into a wall outlet.

Basic Emergency Kit Supplies:

  1. Water: Stock at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days.
  2. Food: A three-day supply of non-perishable food items is essential.
  3. Communication: A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert will keep you updated.
  4. Essentials: A flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, and a whistle can be lifesaving.
  5. Protection: Keep dust masks, plastic sheeting, and duct tape ready. They can assist in creating a makeshift shelter or in filtering contaminated air.
  6. Sanitation: Stock up on moist towelettes, garbage bags, and ties for personal sanitation.
  7. Tools: A wrench or pliers might be needed to turn off utilities. A manual can opener is also essential if your food supply consists of canned goods.
  8. Navigation: Local maps can guide you if GPS services are down.
  9. Stay Connected: Ensure you have a cell phone, chargers, and possibly an inverter or solar charger.

In conclusion, while we can’t control the weather, we can control our response to it. Properly preparing for a hurricane can reduce the risk of injury and damage to your property. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Important Numbers to Know:

EMERGENCY: Law Enforcement/Fire/Ambulance DIAL 9-1-1
Emergency Services Public Information Line 772-567-2129
(Activated during disasters)
Hospitals
Indian River Medical Center 772-567-4311
1000 36th Street
Vero Beach, Florida
Sebastian River Medical Center 772-589-3186
13695 U.S. Hwy. 1
Sebastian, Florida
Indian River County Dept. of Emergency Services 772-567-2154
Radio Stations:
WSCF-FM (91.9) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………772-569-0919
WQCS-FM (88.9) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..772-465-8989
WAVW-FM (92.7) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..772-335-9300
WGYL-FM/WTTB-AM (93.7/1490) ……………………………………………………………………………….772-567-0937
WZZR-FM (94.3) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………772-461-1055
WOSN-FM (97.1) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….772-567-0937
WJKD-FM (99.7) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….772-567-0937
WCZR-FM (101.7) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………772-461-1055
WQOL-FM (103.7) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………772-335-9300
WGRV-FM (107.9) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..321-951-9310
WAXE-AM (1370) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..772-461-1055
Television Stations:
WPTV (NBC) Channel 5 …………………………………………………………………………………………………561-655-5455
WWCI (IND) Channel 10 …………………………………………………………………………………………………772-978-0023
WPEC (CBS) Channel 12 ………………………………………………………………………………………………1-800-310-9732
WPBF (ABC) Channel 25 …………………………………………………………………………………………………561-694-2525
Government Access Channel …………………………………………………………………………………………..772-226-3852

Tiffany Bent
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