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 Rd requiring proceed water is safe.public Reportshelter brokenshould sewer or water to Evacuation Control Center E. 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.