Storm Smart 2024 Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Smart is...
BEING PREPARED
An oncoming hurricane is always stressful. Here are ways to prepare to help ease anxiety before a storm hits.
- Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
- Monitor your local news and weather reports.
- Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone.
- Have a battery-powered radio during a power outage.
- Get an NOAA weather radio
Download the 2024 Hurricane Checklist and Important Numbers PDF
Stock Emergency Supplies
- Bottled Water
- Battery-powered or Hand Crank Radio
- Batteries
- Generator
- Garbage Bags
- Tools
- Cell Phone Charger
- Manual Can Opener
- Food
- Flashlight
- Dust Masks
- Duct Tape
- Plastic Ties
- Medications
- Backup Battery
- Cash
- Pet Food
- Matches and/or Lighter
- Sleeping Bags
- Propane
- Books/Games/Activities
- Infant Formula/Diapers
- Non-Prescription Medications
- First Aid Kit
Protect your property
- Safeguard your home against high winds, such as reinforcing or strengthening doors, windows, walls, and roofs. Protect your home now.
- Bring lightweight objects inside (such as lanai furniture and garbage cans).
- Anchor objects, such as gas grills and propane tanks, would be unsafe to bring inside.
- Trim or remove trees that are close enough to fall on your home.
- Keep your gutters and drains free of debris.
- Install a water alarm and sump pump with a backup battery.
- Consider elevating the heating system, water heater, and electric panel.
- Stockpile emergency protective materials like plastic, plywood, sandbags, and sheeting.
- Raise electronics off the floor to protect them from water damage during interior flooding.
Collect and safeguard critical documents and records
Place any important documents in a waterproof container, such as:
- Financial documents
- Insurance policies
- Medical records
- Educational documents
- Legal documents
- Other types of documents such as birth certificates and passports.
Prepare to evacuate
- Know your emergency communication plan. This includes contact information for family, school, work, and physicians.
- Learn local evacuation routes.
- Check with local officials for shelter locations.
During the Storm
- Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room during high winds. To locate Open Shelters
- Stay away from glass windows and doors, or Protect your home now.
- Move to higher ground before flooding begins.
- Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater
After the Storm
- If you have evacuated, wait for officials to say it is safe before returning home.
- Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires.
- Avoid driving through floodwater.
- Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage bacteria and chemicals that can make you ill.
- Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, garage, tent, camper, etc.
- Clean and disinfect anything that got wet
- Do not drink tap water until local authorities declare it safe to do so
Storm Smart is ready to respond before you or your family experience damage from a tropical storm or hurricane. Our experts have served the community since 1996 and have gained the experience to understand and provide homeowners nationwide with tropical storm and hurricane damage prevention services!
Helpful Links
Post-Disaster Resources
Food Banks
- Search by County – Find a Florida Food Bank | Food Banks in Florida
- Hurricane Help FL (hurricanehelpflorida.org)
- www.DisasterAssistance.gov
- www.FloridaDisaster.org
- www.FEMA.gov
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Assistance – 800-621-3362
- State of Florida Emergency Info – 800-342-3557
- Florida Department of Financial Services Disaster Assistance Helpline – 877-693-5236 or 850-4413-3089
- Red Cross-Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance – 866-438-4636
- Lee County – www.LeeGov.com
- Collier County – www.CollierCountyFL.gov
- Charlotte County – www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov
- Glades County – www.MyGlades.com
- Hendry County – www.Hendryfla.net
- Desoto County – www.Desotobocc.com
- Sarasota County – www.SCgov.net
- Manatee County – www.MyManatee.org/government
Red Cross
- Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties – 239-596-6868 or www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida.html
- Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties – 941-379-9300 or www.redcross.org/local/florida/central-florida/about-us/locations/southwest-florida.html
United Way
- Collier County – https://uwcollierkeys.org/
- Charlotte County – http://www.unitedwayccfl.org/
- Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties – http://www.unitedwaylee.org/
Prepare for Disasters with Storm Smart Hurricane Windows
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Smart is...
BEING PREPARED TOGETHER
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Download the 2024 Hurricane Checklist and Important Numbers PDF
