Hurricane
Preparedness:
It’s time to prepare ourselves and our homes for the possibility of a
hurricane. We all know that hurricanes
are a fact of
“NOAA predicts Near
For 2008, the outlook indicates a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms, including 6 to 9 hurricanes and 2 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale). An average season has 11 named storms.
Following are some items which you may with
to purchase in preparation for the hurricane season:
·
Reusable ice or items sold
as artificial ice
·
Any portable, self-powered
light source
·
Battery-powered flashlights,
Battery-powered lanterns
·
Gas powered lanterns
(including propane, kerosene, lamp oil or similar fuel)
·
Tiki-type torches, candles
·
Gas or diesel fuel container
·
Batters, including
rechargeable on various sizes, but excludes boat and automobile batteries
·
Coolers, ice chests
·
Cellular phone charger, cellular
phone batteries
·
Tarps, visqueen,
plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths
·
Tie-down kits, ground
anchoring kits
·
Bungee cords, rachet straps
·
Radios
·
Carbon monoxide detectors
·
Storm-shutter devices
·
Portable generators
Things to Consider Now:
When a hurricane
threatens, a series of alerts will be issued. In the early stages, this will
simply involve close monitoring of reports from the
·
Know your
emergency/evacuation plan and route.
o
If evacuating, turn off power and water
o
Leave word with family/friends and co-workers
where you will be
·
Protect your home using commercial storm
shutters or ¾-inch plywood cut to fit windows.
·
Reinforce garage doors and double entry
doors.
·
Inventory your Personal
Property. This will
help with insurance settlements and potential losses. Keep this along with other personal items and
important documents in a waterproof container.
You may store them in your washer or dryer.
·
Secure your pets (not outside) or get them to a
pet friendly shelter. Have available a collar,
leash, pet food, containers for food and water, current rabies and vaccines
certificates, pet carrier for each pet, and medications.
·
Store drinking water in
clean containers, enough for 2 weeks. Place filled water gallon jugs in freezer.
·
Have 2 weeks’ of
non-perishable food on hand. Don’t forget a manual can opener.
·
Bag ice in freezer.
·
Turn your air conditioner and your
refrigerator down and turn refrigerator down.
·
Expect to lose power for
hours or days. Be
prepared.
·
Clear your yard of loose objects.
·
Bring in outdoor furniture, trash
cans, etc.
·
Test fire extinguishers.
·
Have a carbon monoxide
detector.
·
Have first aid kit prepared.
·
Maintain a months’ supply of
medication. Have spare
eye glasses, contacts, hearing aid and supplies on hand. Consider also,
o
your
personal items.
o
extra clothing, comfortable shoes
o
flashlights, portable radio and batteries
o
lanterns and fuel
o
gasoline for generators
o
bug spray and sunscreen
o
tarps, tape, rope misc
items for repairs
·
Fill your gas tanks , check oil, water levels and tires. Remember fuel became scarce during 2004.
·
Have cash on hand, ATM’s
won’t work without electricity, neither will gas pumps.
·
Let someone know where you will be. (Family, friends and co-workers)
·
It is very likely you will lose power, turn off
major appliances.
·
Leave your swimming pool
filled.
·
Charge cell phones
(hopefully they will work), keep extra batteries.
·
Generator Precautions – Keep them outdoors. Not even in the garage. Be sure electric cords are of adequate size
for your use and are in good condition.
Pets:
·
There are two Pet Friendly Shelters.
One is located at the
·
Emergency Animal Boarding- All county
shelters will be open, unless ordered to evacuate, and will receive pets on an
Emergency basis. Contact these
establishments concerning pet sheltering during a disaster, Brevard County
Animal Services (633-2024), Humane Society South Branch (253-6608),
·
When dropping your pet off at any of these
locations you MUST have Rabies Certificates, Medications and Food. Also, bring with you a lease and collar,
crate or cage, cleaning supplies and comfort items for your pet.
If you and/or your family need to evacuate, have your plan ready. Will you stay with friends, family or a public shelter? A list of local shelters, including Pet Friendly Shelters and Special Need Shelters is on the last page of this document and more information is also available on the Brevard County Emergency Management (EOC) Web site. That web site address is www.brevardcounty.us/EOC/.
·
Remember,
o
If planning to use a public shelter, be sure to bring
sleeping bags, blankets, pillow and folding chairs. Shelter are not equipped with cots or bedding.
o
Bring toys, games etc to occupy you and your family for
3-4 days. Last year, many folks were in shelters a week and longer.
Special Needs:
·
Special Needs Shelters require
prior registration. You can contact the
Special Needs Shelter
Coordinator- (321) 637-6670 or visit the Brevard
County Emergency Management website at www.brevardcounty.us/EOC/.
·
If any member of your household has special medical problems, such as
limited mobility, you should be aware that
Sand Bags: Following is a list of locations where sands
bags may be found. You may want to call ahead and confirm
availability.
2007 Listing
|
MERCHANT |
LOCATION |
PHONE # |
IN STOCK |
|
Ace Hardware |
|
(321) 729-6690 |
Yes |
|
Ace Hardware |
|
(321) 724-6510 |
Yes |
|
Ace Hardware |
|
(321) 267-1030 |
Yes |
|
Ace Hardware |
|
(321) 724-1558 |
Yes |
|
Ace Hardware |
590 Eau Gallie Cswy., Melbourne |
(321) 254-3261 |
Yes |
|
Ace Hardware |
1024 Hwy. A1A,
|
(321) 777-0777 |
Yes |
|
Ace Hardware |
|
(321) 783-5810 |
Yes |
|
Brevard Lumber |
|
(321) 267-3831 |
Yes |
|
Stan's |
|
(321) 784-1400 |
Yes |
|
Lowe's |
|
(321) 267-9221 |
Yes |
|
Lowe's |
|
(321) 631-0696 |
Yes |
|
Lowe's |
|
(321) 953-2880 |
Yes |
|
Rinker |
|
(321) 267-5900 |
Yes |
|
Rinker |
|
(321) 725-0443 |
Yes |
|
Rinker |
|
(321) 636-5121 |
Yes |
|
Rinker |
|
(321) 254-1726 |
Yes |
|
Travis
Hardware |
|
(321) 636-1441 |
Yes |
This listing will be updated when more
information becomes available.
Weather
Conditions - Know
the Lingo: Saffir-Simpson Scale
CAT 1 74-95
mph (Irene 1999)
CAT 2 96-110 mph (George
1998, Frances 2004, Rita 2005, Wilma 2005)
CAT 3 111-130 mph (Opal 1995,
Ivan & Jeanne 2004, Katrina 2005)
CAT 4 131-155 mph (Donna
1960, Charley 2004)
CAT 5 156 + mph (Labor Day 1935, Andrew 1992)
CATEGORY 1 Minimal; signs, unanchored mobile homes, tree branches power lines blown down, some coastal flooding
CATEGORY 2 Moderate; larger signs, roofs, doors, windows, mobile homes, small boats, some flooding, tree branches blown down.
CATEGORY 3 Extensive; minor damage to buildings, some walls fail, mobile homes, trees blown down. Flooding washes away smaller coastal structures. Flooding up to 8 miles inland
CATEGORY 4 Extreme; almost total destruction of doors, windows. Some wall and roof failure. Major damage to lower floors of oceanfront buildings. Evacuations up to 6 miles inland.
CATEGORY 5 Catastrophic; buildings, roofs, structures destroyed. Flooding up to 10 miles inland, evacuation of area.
·
A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical
storm conditions with sustained winds from 39 to 73 mph are possible in your
area within the next 36 hours.
·
A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when tropical
storm conditions are expected in your area within the next 24 hours.
·
A HURRICANE
WATCH is issued when you should begin experiencing hurricane conditions
within 36 hours.
(Sustained winds greater than 73 mph)
·
A HURRICANE WARNING
is issued when you should begin experiencing sustained winds of at least 74 mph
within 24 hours or less.
FOR COASTAL RESIDENTS:
·
A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when the
possibility exists for the inundation of land areas along the coast within the
next 12 to 36 hours.
·
A Coastal Flood Warning is issued in land areas
along the coast that are expected to become, or have become, inundated by
seawater above the typical tide action.
Returning Home
·
You should stay tuned to local radio and
television for information concerning returning to evacuated areas, curfew
orders, etc.
·
You may experience delays in returning home as roads
are cleared of debris and structural integrity of bridges and roadways is completed.
·
Be very alert for leaking gas, live wires and other
such hazards.
·
Be prepared to carry with you your BCSO ID and
driver’s license.
·
Watch for broken glass and other
dangerous debris.
·
Watch for snakes or poisonous insects not normally seen
in the area.
·
Avoid driving or walking through standing water. There’s no
way to know whether the pavement below has been washed out.
·
Children and pets should be supervised when going
outside. .
·
Carefully inspect your property for damage as soon as
possible; board over any broken windows or make whatever other emergency
repairs necessary to prevent further damage.
·
Keep records of any repairs you make
yourself and any made by a building contractor.
·
If damage is extensive, do not use
tap or well water until notified by officials that your community’s water
supply is safe.
·