Hurricane Preparedness
From the Brevard County Board of County commissioners
Prepared by the Division of Emergency Management/Communications
633-1770
What To Do Now
Locate your evacuation zone and determine if and
when you would have to evacuate.
Decide now when you plan to go if you are ordered
to evacuate. You May:
1. leave the region or
2. go to the home of a friend or relative in a
safe area
3. go to a hotel or motel out of the area or
4. as a last resort, go to the designated
Evacuation Control Center for public
sheltering.
Read this guide carefully.
Check your emergency supplies
If you would need assistance during an evacuation and
here is no one else to help you – Register Now with your
local Emergency Management Office by calling 6331770
Before a hurricane threatens
When a Watch is issued
Banking
Be sure to have sufficient cash on hand for an extended
period of time. Depending on the storm’s severity, banks
may be closed for days or even weeks, due to damage
sustained or power outages. Also, ATM machines may
not be operable and credit cards may not be accepted
while banks are closed.
Maximum storm surge which might occur
Information about the potential for inland flooding
and storm surge is available through your local
Emergency Management office. Ask about
“SLOSH” program 633-1770
Route to safety if you have to leave
Know your escape route early. Know the number of
hours it could take you to evacuate to a safe area
during peak evacuation traffic. You may want to
consider leaving early to avoid peak evacuation
traffic.
Location of nearest evacuation Control center
Using the map, locate the evacuation control center
for your area. Plan for your family’s safety. Know
how to contact family members should the need
arise.
How safe is your home?
Near the seashore, plan to relocate during a
hurricane emergency. If you live in a mobile home,
always plan to evacuate.
The inventory of your property.
A complete inventory of personal property will help
in obtaining insurance settlements and or tax
deductions for losses. Inventory checklists can be
obtained from your insurance representative. Don’t
trust your memory. List descriptions and take
pictures. Store these and other important insurance
papers in waterproof containers or in your safety
deposit box.
What your insurance will cover.
Review your insurance policies and your coverage to
avoid misunderstandings later. Take advantage of
flood insurance. Separate policies are needed for
protection against wind and flood damage, which
people frequently don’t realize until to late.
Remember: You will not be asked to leave your home
unless you are seriously threatened. When you are
ordered to evacuate- GO !
Monitor storm reports or radio and television
If considering moving to a shelter, make arrangements for
all pets. Pets are not allowed in shelters. Refill needed
prescriptions. If evacuation has not already been
recommended, consider leaving the area early to avoid
long hours on limited evacuation routes.
Check supplies;
Transistor radio and fresh batteries:
Radio will be your most useful information source. Have
enough batteries to last several days. There may be no
electricity. Consider purchase of an inexpensive NOAA
Weather alert radio receiver on 162.55 MHz. Consult
your local electronics dealer.
Flashlights, candles or lamps, matches.
Store matches in waterproof container. Have lantern fuel
for several days. Know how to use safely.
Fuel tank of gasoline
Never let your vehicle gas tank be less than half-full
during hurricane season. Fill up a soon as a hurricane
watch is posted. Remember: When there is no electricity,
gas pumps don’t work.
Canned goods and non-perishable foods
Store packaged foods which can be prepared without
cooking and need no refrigeration. There may be no
electricity or gas.
Hurricane Preparedness (2)
The National Weather Service categorizes
Hurricane by intensity on a scale of one to five
which includes:
Saffir Simpson Scale
Category
Wind/MPH
I
74-95
II
96-110
III
110-130
IV
131-155
V
156+
Containers for drinking water
Have clean, airtight containers to store sufficient
drinking water for several days. The local water
supply could be interrupted or contaminated.
Drinking water was most critical during hurricane
Hugo.
Materials for protecting glass openings
Have shutters or lumber for protecting large
windows and doors and masking tape for use on
small windows
Materials for emergency repair
Your insurance policy may cover the cost of
materials used in temporary repairs so keep all
receipts. These will be helpful for any income tax
deductions.
WHEN A WARNING IS ISSUED
Listen constantly to radio or TV
Keep a log of hurricane position, intensity and
expected landfall. Discount rumors. Use telephone
sparingly.
If you live in a mobile or manufactured home
Check tie-downs and leave immediately for a safer
place. Mobile or manufactured homes are not safe in
hurricane force winds.
Prepare for high winds
Brace your garage door. Lower antennas. Be
prepared to make repairs
Anchor Objects Outside
Garbage cans, awnings, loose garden tools, toys and
other loose objects can be deadly missiles. Anchor
securely or bring indoors.
Protect windows and other glass
Board up or shutter large windows securely. Tape
exposed glass to reduce shattering. Draw drapes
across windows and doors to protect against flying
glass if shattering does occur.
Weather Words
Hurricane Watch- Hurricane may threaten within 24
hrs.
Hurricane Warning- Hurricane expected to strike within
24 hours.
Tropical Depression: A cyclone with winds of less than
39 MPH or 34 Knots.
Tropical Storm: A cyclone with winds from 39 to 73
MPH or 34 to 63 Knots.
Hurricane: A violent cyclone with winds grater than 74
MPH or 64 Knots.
Move boats on trailers close to house
Ill boats with water to weigh them down. Lash securely to
trailer and use tie-downs to anchor trailer to the ground or
house.
Check mooring Lines of Boats in Water, then Leave
Them
Store Valuable and Personal Papers
Put irreplaceable documents in waterproof containers and
store in highest possible spot. If you evacuate, be sure to
take them with you.
Prepare for Storm Surge, tornadoes, and Floods
Storm surge, tornadoes and flash floods are the worst
killers associated with a hurricane. The surge of ocean
water plus flooding of streams and rivers due to torrential
rains combine to make drowning the greatest cause of
hurricane deaths.
During Evacuation
Remember: You will not be asked to leave your home
unless your life is seriously threatened. When you are
ordered to evacuate- Go !!!
Know which evacuation control center site you will
report to. Leave early, in daylight if possible. Move
your most valuable possessions that you can’t take
with you to higher points within your home.
For shelters:
Be sure to take an adequate supply of all medications
you will require. Have provisions for several days.
Take sleeping bags or blankets, flashlights, special
dietary foods, infant needs and lightweight folding
chairs. Register every person arriving with you at the
shelter. Do not take pets, alcoholic beverages or
weapons of any kind to shelters. Be prepared to offer
assistance to shelter workers if necessary and stress to
al family members their obligations to keep the shelter
clean and sanitary. Bring a battery powered radio.
pg 3
Evacuation Routes
Brevard County North
Evacuation Control Centers
A. Miracle City Mall Highway
US #1 Titusville
B. Brevard Community College
Clearlake Rd. and
Michigan Ave. Cocoa
C. Kennedy Middle School,
Fiske Blvd. Rockledge
Evacuation Routes
1. Mainland residents north of Kings Highway requiring public shelter should proceed to Evacuation
Control Center A.
2. Merritt Island residents north of SR-528 exit north on SR-3 and cross SR-405 and those mainland
residents requiring public shelter should proceed to Evacuation Control Center A
3, Merritt Island residents north of SR-520 and south of SR-528 exit to the north and cross SR-528 and
those mainland residents north of SR-520 and south of King’s highway requiring public shelter should
proceed to Evacuation Control Center B.
4. Residents north of Patrick AFB and Lotus on Merritt Island exit north and cross S-520and those
mainland residents north of Barnes Blvd (Rockledge) and south of SR-520 requiring public shelter should
proceed to Evacuation Control Center C.
Evacuation Routes (pg.4)
Brevard County South
Evacuation Control Centers:
D. Brevard Community College, South
Wickham Rd and Post Rd. Melbourne
E. Melbourne Greyhound Park
Wickham Rd and Sarno Rd. Melbourne
F. Melbourne High School
Babcock Rd and Sheridan Rd. Melbourne
G. BCC Palm Bay Technical Center
SE Grassland Rd, Palm Bay
H. Barefoot Bay Community Center
Bldg. A Barefoot Bay Blvd, Micco
South Area Evacuation Routes:
5. Residents from the north limits of Indian Harbour Beach to Patrick AFB and Merritt Island
Residents south of Lotus will cross at Pineda Cswy. Mainland residents north of Aurora and south
of Barnes Blvd requiring public shelter should proceed to Evacuation Control Center D
6. Residents from the north limits if Indialantic to the north limits of Indian Harbour Beach cross
on SR-518 and those mainland residents north of New Haven Ave (US 192) and south of Aurora
Rd requiring public shelter should proceed to Evacuation Control Center E.
7. Residents from the south limits of Floridana Beach to the north limits of Indialantic cross on
SR-516 and proceed to Evacuation Control Center F. Mainland residents south of New Haven
Ave (US 192) to the south County line should proceed to Evacuation Control Center G, except
those residents covered in #8 below.
8. Residents south of Floridana Beach proceed south and cross SR 510 at Wabasso and
mainland residents south of Grant road to the county line and east of I-95 requiring shelter
proceed to Evacuation Control Center H.
Hurricane Preparedness pg 5
Hurricane Preparedness pg(6)
Take Extra Precautions to Prevent Fires
Lock Windows and Doors
Turn off gas water and electricity. Check to see
The Recovery
that you have done everything to protect your
property from damage or loss
Insurance
Carry Along Survival Supplies
Insurance representatives will be on the scene
First aid kit, personal hygiene supplies, canned
immediately following a major disaster to speed up the
or dried foods, eating utensils, etc. bottled
handling of claims. Notify your insurance agent or broker
water family medications, prescriptions, spare
of any losses and leave word where you can be contacted
eyeglasses, hearing aid and batteries, if
Take Steps to Protect Property
required. Any special dietary foods, if required
Make temporary repairs to protect property from further
and infant, baby foods and formula, diapers,
damage or looting. Use only reputable contractors.
etc.
(Sometimes in the chaotic days following a disaster,
Keep Important Papers With You At All
unscrupulous operators will prey on the unsuspecting).
Times Drivers license and other identification
Check the Better Business Bureau. Keep all receipts for
papers, Insurance policies, property inventory,
materials used.
mortgage papers, property deeds, etc. Medic
alert or device with medical information. Maps
Be Patient
to your destination and photographs.
Hardship cases will be settled first by insurance
representatives. Don’t assume your settlement will be the
Take Warm And Protective Clothing for
same as your neighbor’s. Policy forms differ and storm
Children Coloring books and crayons can
damage is quite erratic. State, County and Municipal
keep young minds busy to prevent boredom.
Damage Assessment Teams will be in the field as soon as
Keep marbles, jacks, wooden blocks and a deck
possible after the storm.
of cards tucked into a bag in the cabinet or
pantry with emergency provisions for an
It Takes a Team Effort
“instant bag of tricks”.
Responsibility for the clean up falls to numerous local,
Provide For Your Pets If you will not be
state and federal; agencies. Local government officials
boarding them in a kennel or at the vet, pets
will help residents in this effort.
will not be allowed in shelters. Release them
inside your house or garage. Leave them plenty
Special Needs registry
of food for several days. Remove the toilet tank
Those individuals who are disabled,
lid and raise the toilet seat up. Fill the tub with
handicapped or elderly infirmed, who in an
water. Put out pet toys.
emergency would need assistance
After a Hurricane
evacuating to a shelter, or if you know of
Beware of outdoor hazards
Watch out for loose or dangling power lines
someone who would require assistance,
and report them immediately to proper
contact the Brevard County Division of
authorities. Many lives are lost by
Emergency Management/Communications
electrocution.
at 633-1770 to register.
Walk or drive cautiously
Debris filled streets are dangerous. Snakes and
poisonous insects may be a hazard. Washouts
may weaken roads and bridge structures which
could collapse under vehicle weight.
Guard Against Spoiled Food
Food may spoil in refrigerator power is off
more than a few hours. Freezers will keep food
several days if doors are not opened after
power failure, but do not refreeze food once it
begins to thaw.
Do Not Use Water Until Safe
6.Use
Residents
from thesupply
north or
limits
Indialantic to the north limits of Indian Harbour Beach cross
your emergency
boil ifwater
onbefore
SR-518
and those
mainland
drinking
until official
wordresidents
that the north of New Haven Ave (US 192) and south of Aurora
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Reportshelter
brokenshould
sewer or
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mains to proper authorities.
Hurricane Preparedness pg(6)
Supplies You Should Have At Home
Keep these supplies at home during the June to November Hurricane season. We
recommend you keep them in separate “Hurricane Kits” to find when you need them.
1. Can opener
2. Matches
3. Canned or packaged food, milk, beverages 9two week non perishable food
supply)
4. Extra prescription medicine and first aid kit
5. Baby food, diapers and formula
6. Portable cooler
7. Water (for drinking purposes, two quarts per person per day: fill bathtub and other
containers for sanitary usage)
8. Toiletries
9. Eating utensils
10. Fire extinguisher
11. Battery operated radio, flashlights an extra batteries
12. Emergency cooking facilities
13. ¾ inch plywood boards to board up windows
14. Lantern and fuel
15. Bleach (without lemon or any other additives)
16. Water purification tablets(can be purchased at your local pharmacy)
17. Mosquito repellant
18. Remember to have cash on hand
Other items that you may want to consider including:
1. Tools, including hammer and nails, 100 feet of rope and duct tape
2. Inflatable raft, life preservers
3. Tarp (canvas or plastic) and mosquito netting.
4. Sleeping bags and blankets
Items to bring to Red Cross Shelter
1. First aid kit and adequate supply of prescription medicines for extended stay
2. Blankets and or sleeping bag
3. baby food, diapers and formula
4. cards, games and books
5. Identification and valuable papers (Insurance)
6. Toiletries
7. Snacks
8. Battery operated radio, flashlight (1 per person) and extra batteries.
Note: Pets are not allowed in Red Cross Shelters.