How to prepare your hurricane season kit

Florida Department of Health-Flagler: Everyone living in Florida should have an emergency preparedness kit that meets their specific needs.

  • By Guest Author
  • | 11:20 a.m. May 26, 2022
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by: Jaffy Lee, MBA

PIO/Preparedness Planner, Florida Department of Health-Flagler

The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County (DOH-Flagler) urges residents to prepare for the rapidly approaching hurricane season, especially with the passing of National Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 1 to May 7, 2022. 

“Every year, hurricane season is anticipated to start earlier, and you can never be too prepared,” said Robert Snyder, DOH-Flagler Health Officer, “Flagler County was fortunate last year, but if we think about how Irma and Matthew impacted us, Flagler residents shouldn’t take storm preparation for granted.”

 The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County advises starting early to update emergency plans, restock hurricane supplies, and confirm registration for special needs shelter accommodation. The following tips are suggested as a “Plan of Action” for the 2022 hurricane season:

  • Determine the risks to your home, property, or business; make repairs as needed, clean up debris, and trim trees.
  • Develop or update an emergency evacuation plan and review the plan carefully with your family and children – don’t forget to include your pets in your evacuation plan;
  • Make sure you have adequate insurance by contacting your insurance company or agent; make copies of all essential documents and seal them in a waterproof bag. 
  • Assemble a disaster supply kit; 
  • Identify your trusted sources of information for any severe weather event or hurricane. Credible and timely information is critical to taking the appropriate actions in the event of an emergency; and
  • Complete a written hurricane plan and keep it in a safe, easily accessible location. 

Everyone living in Florida should have an emergency preparedness kit that meets their specific needs. Items to include, replenish and replace are:

  • Water (at least one gallon a day per person for 5-7 days);
  • Non-perishable packaged or canned food (enough for at least 5 to 7 days);
  • Any necessary medications in their prescribed bottles (enough for two weeks);
  • First aid kit;
  • Flashlights with extra batteries;
  • Weather band radio;
  • Lanterns, candles, and matches;
  • Fuel and propane; 
  • Pet care items (including any pet medications); and
  • Other vital documents (stored in a waterproof container).

For more information about hurricane preparation, visit Flagler County Emergency Management’s website. 

If you, a friend, or a family member have a disability or a special need such as a medical condition, please pre-register with Flagler County Emergency Operations. The registration list is updated each year so that those who require electricity, refrigeration for medication, or oxygen can be assisted quickly during an emergency. For more information, visit www.flaglercounty.org/emergency or call 386-313-4970.

The Florida Department of Health’s website also has valuable information to help you plan for emergencies: http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-and-response/index.html.

 

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