Hurricane Planning & Checklist
Step 1 - Know Your Vulnerability
The first step in making your plan is knowing your vulnerability. Answer the questions to the best of your ability.
Flooding:
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What is the base elevation of your home? ____
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Has your home or the surrounding property
ever been threatened by flooding during heavy rains? ____
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Do you live within a half mile of water that is subject to tidal changes?____
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Do you live within 3 miles of the coast or Charlotte Harbor? ____
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Are you required to own flood insurance? ____
Wind:
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Is my home a manufactured or mobile home? ____
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Was my home built before 1993? ____
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Does my home have a gabled roof? ____
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Does my home lack window protection? ____
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Does my home have large vaulted ceilings? ____
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Does my home have two or more stories
constructed of different materials (i.e. masonry and lumber)? ____
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Does my home have a non-reinforced garage door? ____
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Are any large trees close enough to hit your house if blown over? ____
If your home is less than 15 feet above sea level and/or you answered YES to any of the Flooding questions, there is
a possibility you will need to evacuate. Be sure to include an evacuation procedure in your personal plan!
Under Wind, if you answered YES to the first question, find somewhere else to stay, even during a minimal
hurricane. If you answered NO to the first question, but YES to one or more of the other questions, you may still be
vulnerable to wind damage.
The more YES answers, the greater your vulnerability. Reinforce your home and/or make a plan to find a safe place
to stay. If you answered NO to all of the questions, your home may be a safe place to stay in all but the strongest
hurricanes!
Make a note of your home's weaknesses and keep them in mind as you make your hurricane plan.
Step 2 - Responsibility
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Make a list with your name at the top, followed by family, friends, relatives, neighbors and/or pets for whom you
will be responsible.
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Include any special needs they may have (like baby supplies, medicine, etc.).
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Make a list of all property for which you will be responsible. List your home, yard, automobiles, etc.
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Will your employer expect you to prepare your work area for the storm?
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Leave plenty of space next to each item listed, so you can write down the steps you will need to take to prepare
them for the storm.
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Review your list of responsibilities and estimate the amount of time it will take to accomplish each task.
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Delegate responsibilities. Write down the name of the person who will be responsible for each task. Be sure to
inform them of their new responsibility.
Step 3 - Getting Ready
Be sure to take care of the following tasks at the beginning of the hurricane season, to reduce problems and
confusion later.
o
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Prepare your survival kit with enough supplies to last you, your family, and pets for at least three days.
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Write down your FPL account number for faster service: ________________.
In case of an outage, call 1-800-4-OUTAGE
o
Update your homeowners insurance. Make sure you are covered for wind and flood damage. If you rent,
purchase renter's insurance. Know your deductibles.
o
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Find out the elevation of your home and how the surrounding area would flood in a hurricane.
o
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Drive through your designated hurricane evacuation route. Consider alternative routes as you go.
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Purchase a battery-operated weather radio with the tone alert.
As you purchase items on the list, check them off until your kit is complete. Next to the list, write down where the
kit and any separate items are stored. Even if you plan to evacuate, you need to have these supplies with you.
Videotape or take a written inventory of all your belongings.
Keep your yard free of debris. Cut down any dead tree limbs. Remove weak, damaged or diseased trees.
Strengthen your home and any other buildings you own. Follow the home protection tips on pages 17 and 18 of
this hurricane guide.
Locate the nearest public shelters. Not all shelters will be opened during a hurricane. Many shelters do not allow
large pets. Be aware of several alternatives.
Take a first aid class.
Make sure your street address is clearly marked on your home.
Remember to check off each task as it is accomplished.
Be sure to keep your plan and this survival guide with your other important papers.
Step 4 - If a Hurricane Approaches
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Get out your hurricane plan and listen carefully to NBC2 to determine the threat to your area. The NBC2 Storm
Team will tell you what is likely to happen and the worst case scenario. Be prepared to act on the worst case
scenario.
Review your hurricane plan and choose one of your four options: Stay home, stay with a nearby friend or relative,
leave the area, or go to a public shelter.
Once you have decided where you will be during the storm, follow the steps in your personal Hurricane Plan. Most
importantly, make sure your hurricane survival kit is complete, together and in the same room with you when the
storm arrives.
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If you decide to leave the area, it is best to leave well before the storm. Once evacuations are ordered, roads will
become congested.
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If you go to a public shelter, remember - no guns, pets or alcoholic beverages. Bring everything else you will
need - food, water, clothing, prescription medicine, bedding and something to keep you occupied. Most of these
things will already be in your hurricane survival kit, so place that in the car before you go.
Remember to stay tuned to NBC2! Count on us to bring you the best news coverage, with more crews across
Southwest Florida than any other station.
Count on us to bring you the best weather coverage with the NBC2 Storm Team, superior weather graphics, and the
most powerful Doppler radar in Southwest Florida - First Alert Power Doppler Radar!
Radio Simulcast:
In the event of a weather emergency, WAVV 101.1FM and WXKB-B103.9FM will simulcast with NBC2 News. Should
you lose electricity, tune your battery powered radio to WAVV 101.1FM or WXKB-B103.9FM, for up-to-the-minute
information from the NBC2 Storm Team.
Personal Information and Important Documents
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Take personal information and identification for each family member with you.
Include bank account information, medical records, Social Security cards,
immunization records, insurance papers and birth and marriage certificates. Also
prepare a list of contact information for family members and emergency numbers
you might need while away or should the full force of the hurricane hit your home.
Package all of these documents together in a watertight plastic bag or waterproof
container. Also take your credit cards and a supply of cash.
Medications and Toiletries
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Pack all medications for family members and hygiene items that you might need
while away. Include wet wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, personal care items
and a simple first aid kit.
Items for Babies and Children
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Pack everything that your baby or child will need for several days on the road.
Include formula, diapers, baby food, clothing, a few toys and games. Don't forget
to pack bottles and special eating implements the child uses along with any other
special items you will need, including diaper cream, lotion and blankets.
Water and Food
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Take at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Allow for at least a three-day
supply of water and food. Choose non-perishable foods that don't require
cooking. Don't forget the can opener and utensils.
Clothing, Blankets and Bedding
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Take at least three days' worth of clothing for each family member. Consider
packing blankets and pillows, even if you intend to stay in a motel. Evacuation
plans sometimes change and it is best to be prepared.
A Full Tank of Gas
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Ideally, you should keep your gas tank full when a hurricane is nearing. If you
wait until the last minute, you may have to wait in long lines or find stations are
sold out or closed. Remember, gas station employees will be evacuating, also.
Tools and Maps
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Pack a basic tool kit including flashlights, batteries, state maps and your weather
radio. While you're at it, don't forget to take your fully charged cell phone,
charger, camera and the keys for all your vehicles.
Pets and Pet Care Items
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Pack your pet's identification, medical records and medications along with food
and water. Take along a pet carrier, muzzle and leash. Many hotels now allow
pets; check ahead and make a reservation in a pet-friendly facility if you have
pets.