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GETTING READY FOR IRMA
FIT AND TRIM MEDICAL WILL GIVE YOU EVERY TIP YOU NEED TO SURVIVE A STORM
IRMA - CAT 5 STORM
Hurricanes can be scary and stressful. Getting ready for a storm involves lots of details. Fridge-free food. Water. Batteries. Tree-trimming. Insurance. Evacuations and flood zones. Boat storage.
It's easy to get overwhelmed with the list of things to do as we track an approaching storm's path.
To help, we've compiled checklists by topic. Keep up to date with forecasts and tracking maps at http://www.miamiherald.com/ news/weather/hurricane/
It's easy to get overwhelmed with the list of things to do as we track an approaching storm's path.
To help, we've compiled checklists by topic. Keep up to date with forecasts and tracking maps at http://www.miamiherald.com/ news/weather/hurricane/
KEY WEBSITES
Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (includes Red Cross shelters and other information): www.miamidade.gov/oem/. Call 3-1-1. Twitter: @MiamiDadeEM
Broward County Emergency Management Agency (includes Red Cross shelters and other information): www.broward.org/hurricane. 954-831-3900. Twitter: @ReadyBroward
Monroe County Emergency Management (shelters in Monroe County will close in category 3, 4 or 5 hurricanes; Residents must evacuate to the mainland): http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/ 305-289-6018. Twitter: @MCSOnews
Broward County Emergency Management Agency (includes Red Cross shelters and other information): www.broward.org/hurricane. 954-831-3900. Twitter: @ReadyBroward
Monroe County Emergency Management (shelters in Monroe County will close in category 3, 4 or 5 hurricanes; Residents must evacuate to the mainland): http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/ 305-289-6018. Twitter: @MCSOnews
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITES
State of Florida Division of Emergency Management: www.floridadisaster.org. 850-413-9969 Twitter: @FLSERT
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov. 202-646-2500 Twitter: @fema
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes: www.flash.org. 850-385-7233. Twitter: @FederalAlliance
National Hurricane Center (includes storm tracking map, preparedness guide and other information): www.nhc.noaa.gov. Twitter: @NWSNHC
Citizens Property Insurance: www.citizensfla.com. 1-888-685-1555. Twitter: @citizens_fla
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Hurricane Resource Page: www.nasa.gov/ mission_pages/hurricane s/main/index.html. Twitter: @NASAHurricane
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov. 202-646-2500 Twitter: @fema
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes: www.flash.org. 850-385-7233. Twitter: @FederalAlliance
National Hurricane Center (includes storm tracking map, preparedness guide and other information): www.nhc.noaa.gov. Twitter: @NWSNHC
Citizens Property Insurance: www.citizensfla.com. 1-888-685-1555. Twitter: @citizens_fla
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Hurricane Resource Page: www.nasa.gov/ mission_pages/hurricane s/main/index.html. Twitter: @NASAHurricane
15 THINGS TO DO IN A HURRICANE WATCH
1) Begin listening for storm updates or check National Hurricane Center updates at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
2) Fill the car's gas tank and keep it topped off. Make sure the battery is in good condition.
3) Fill propane tanks for gas grills and camp stoves.
4) Check your battery-powered equipment. A radio could be your only link with the outside world during and after a hurricane.
5) Review your preparedness plan with your household.
6) Pick two places for your family to meet: a spot outside your home in case of emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood, in case you can't return home.
7) Establish an out-of-town phone number with family or friends to relay messages about your whereabouts after the storm.
8) Refill prescriptions.
9) Stock canned foods, soft drinks and water.
10) Collect medical and property insurance papers, immunization records and medical records of anyone with special needs in a rugged, waterproof container. Include a few cherished mementos. If you evacuate to a shelter, take these items with you.
11) If you are not in an evacuation zone, determine your "safe room" or a room that is away from windows and has walls close together.
12) Put shutters, window and door protection in place if instructed by local officials.
13) Do not trim branches or limbs from trees. These could become dangerous missiles if picked up by the wind.
14) Locate the turn-off valves for electricity, water and gas.
15) Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs.
2) Fill the car's gas tank and keep it topped off. Make sure the battery is in good condition.
3) Fill propane tanks for gas grills and camp stoves.
4) Check your battery-powered equipment. A radio could be your only link with the outside world during and after a hurricane.
5) Review your preparedness plan with your household.
6) Pick two places for your family to meet: a spot outside your home in case of emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood, in case you can't return home.
7) Establish an out-of-town phone number with family or friends to relay messages about your whereabouts after the storm.
8) Refill prescriptions.
9) Stock canned foods, soft drinks and water.
10) Collect medical and property insurance papers, immunization records and medical records of anyone with special needs in a rugged, waterproof container. Include a few cherished mementos. If you evacuate to a shelter, take these items with you.
11) If you are not in an evacuation zone, determine your "safe room" or a room that is away from windows and has walls close together.
12) Put shutters, window and door protection in place if instructed by local officials.
13) Do not trim branches or limbs from trees. These could become dangerous missiles if picked up by the wind.
14) Locate the turn-off valves for electricity, water and gas.
15) Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs.
12 THINGS TO DO IN A HURRICANE WARNING
1) Fill bathtubs and jugs with water. Figure on using a gallon of water per person per day.
2) Turn refrigerator and freezer settings to the coldest levels. Freeze water in plastic containers.
3) Bring in any outdoor objects that could become projectiles in high winds: mailboxes, garbage cans, lawn furniture and garden tools. Anchor anything that cannot be brought inside.
4) Install shutters or cover all your windows and doors. Install braces on your garage doors if they do not meet the building code.
5) Keep all windows closed during the storm.
6) Disconnect natural gas to individual appliances at the supply valves near each unit. Do not turn off the main gas line. Disconnect propane gas to individual appliances.
7) Remove external antennas.
8) Remove valuable pictures and bric-a-brac from walls.
9) Wedge sliding glass doors with a bar.
10) Draw drapes and blinds.
11) Lower the water level in your pool. Turn off electricity to the pool and cover the pump equipment with waterproof material. Store child safety fences.
12) Gather your hurricane kit and stay in your safe room. Essentials for the room include your hurricane kit, sturdy shoes, something to cover your head such as a pillow or mattress and a fire extinguisher.
2) Turn refrigerator and freezer settings to the coldest levels. Freeze water in plastic containers.
3) Bring in any outdoor objects that could become projectiles in high winds: mailboxes, garbage cans, lawn furniture and garden tools. Anchor anything that cannot be brought inside.
4) Install shutters or cover all your windows and doors. Install braces on your garage doors if they do not meet the building code.
5) Keep all windows closed during the storm.
6) Disconnect natural gas to individual appliances at the supply valves near each unit. Do not turn off the main gas line. Disconnect propane gas to individual appliances.
7) Remove external antennas.
8) Remove valuable pictures and bric-a-brac from walls.
9) Wedge sliding glass doors with a bar.
10) Draw drapes and blinds.
11) Lower the water level in your pool. Turn off electricity to the pool and cover the pump equipment with waterproof material. Store child safety fences.
12) Gather your hurricane kit and stay in your safe room. Essentials for the room include your hurricane kit, sturdy shoes, something to cover your head such as a pillow or mattress and a fire extinguisher.
5 FOOD THINGS TO KNOW
1) Water: Plan to stock seven gallons of water per person. That should be enough for drinking and cooking for a week. You can buy bottled water, or, if you prefer, fill recycled glass bottles that you rinse with a little bleach. Don't reuse plastic bottles; they can't be made clean enough. When the storm approaches, fill buckets, the sink and tub with water to use for cleaning and washing only.
2) Nonperishable Food: Think crackers, string cheese, mini-cut carrots and salsa, hummus with bagel chips, unsalted baked chips, sliced apples or grapes and protein bars. Unsweetened cereals make crunchy healthy snacks as well as quick meals at times besides breakfast. Look for tuna in single-serving cans or pouches. Pork and beans comes in a variety of flavors, including country style, Boston recipe and vegetarian. And stock up on single servings of shelf-stable puddings, fruits and gelatins. Just remember to have a can opener.
3) Food Storage: Store all your emergency supplies in one place. Now is the time to start using the chops, steaks and other foods in your freezer. After the storm — when the refrigerator may not be working — have two large coolers or ice chests available. Place items you want to access often such as fruit and water bottles in one cooler; place longer-term items in the other cooler.
4) Cooking: Stock up on charcoal or propane for your outdoor grill. Keep the grill away from an enclosed area to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. A butane burner or camp stove is good for boiling water, but use only outdoors.
5) Serving: Consume fresh fruits and vegetables and cook up any meats first. These will be the fastest items to spoil when the power goes out.
2) Nonperishable Food: Think crackers, string cheese, mini-cut carrots and salsa, hummus with bagel chips, unsalted baked chips, sliced apples or grapes and protein bars. Unsweetened cereals make crunchy healthy snacks as well as quick meals at times besides breakfast. Look for tuna in single-serving cans or pouches. Pork and beans comes in a variety of flavors, including country style, Boston recipe and vegetarian. And stock up on single servings of shelf-stable puddings, fruits and gelatins. Just remember to have a can opener.
3) Food Storage: Store all your emergency supplies in one place. Now is the time to start using the chops, steaks and other foods in your freezer. After the storm — when the refrigerator may not be working — have two large coolers or ice chests available. Place items you want to access often such as fruit and water bottles in one cooler; place longer-term items in the other cooler.
4) Cooking: Stock up on charcoal or propane for your outdoor grill. Keep the grill away from an enclosed area to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. A butane burner or camp stove is good for boiling water, but use only outdoors.
5) Serving: Consume fresh fruits and vegetables and cook up any meats first. These will be the fastest items to spoil when the power goes out.
HOW TO CARE FOR PETS
Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties have information available on their websites that list pet shelter options and other resources.
For Miami-Dade: www.miamidade.gov/animals/ disaster-preparedness.asp
For Broward: www.broward.org/Hurricane/AtoZ/Pages/AnimalsBeforeEvent.aspx
For Monroe: monroecountyem.com/ind ex.aspx?nid=123.
Information on how to handle animals before and after a storm is available through the National Hurricane Center at www.ready.gov/caring-animals.
For large animals, visit www.humanesociety.org/ab out/departments/ disaster_preparedness.html.
To safeguard a pet during the hurricane season visit ASPCA at www.aspca.org/pet-care/ disaster-preparedness.
To find a boarding veterinary hospital in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, visit the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association at www.sfvma.com. In Broward, visit the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association at http://browardcounty vma.wix.com.
For Miami-Dade: www.miamidade.gov/animals/ disaster-preparedness.asp
For Broward: www.broward.org/Hurricane/AtoZ/Pages/AnimalsBeforeEvent.aspx
For Monroe: monroecountyem.com/ind ex.aspx?nid=123.
Information on how to handle animals before and after a storm is available through the National Hurricane Center at www.ready.gov/caring-animals.
For large animals, visit www.humanesociety.org/ab out/departments/ disaster_preparedness.html.
To safeguard a pet during the hurricane season visit ASPCA at www.aspca.org/pet-care/ disaster-preparedness.
To find a boarding veterinary hospital in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, visit the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association at www.sfvma.com. In Broward, visit the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association at http://browardcounty vma.wix.com.
