Are You Prepared?

As Floridians, we are not strangers to the terrible power and ravages of hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. Do you have a disaster preparedness plan in place? If not, information and tips for building a plan are available at the below websites. Click here for steps homeowners can take to minimize hurricane damage.

National Weather Service (NWS) watches and warnings. You can find more information about these risks on ready.gov/hurricane.

Websites such as FL511.com provide live traffic updates and safe evacuation routes during storms. It’s also important to keep a list of contact information for reference, including loved ones, local utilities, local hospitals, TV and radio stations, and insurance agents.

Make sure you have an Emergency Supplies Kit as well.

A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Click here for a checklist of basic supplies your emergency kit should include.

Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.

Stay Informed of Local Weather and Disaster Advisories

I will also keep constituents informed of disaster assistance efforts in Central Florida through social media and my weekly e-newsletter the Webster Wire. Be sure to also follow up-to-date advisories on storms through local emergency management centers listed below. Download this information sheet of contact numbers, addresses, and links to key federal, state and local offices.