How Can You Best Prepare for Florida Storms?

Learn All You Can About Preparing Right.

There are so many resources available to you online about Florida storm preparedness.

The National Weather Service (NWS) for the Tampa Bay region can be an invaluable tool in protecting your family, home and other property. The NWS provides a Storm Ready program you can access here that’s filled with practical advice you can use to prepare for any severe weather.

Many times during severe storms the electricity goes out. So first, make sure you have a battery operated radio or other device to stay informed about dangerous storms that may be moving into your area. Local news stations and the NWS go into overdrive to help residents manage Florida storms with minimal damage. You’ll want to be able to stay on top of things even without electricity.

Wind Is Often the Worst Problem.

Often the greatest damage that happens in Florida storms is due to high winds. So the better you can protect your home the better. Make note of where winds can enter and protect them from intrusion. Make sure also that outdoor objects don’t become projectiles that can harm your windows and walls. When the NWS issues a high wind or severe thunderstorm watch, immediately get ready.

• Trim tree branches away from your house
• Secure loose gutters and shutters
• Stow or secure outdoor patio furniture, umbrellas, sports equipment, storage boxes
• Park cars in your garage to protect them too

Some Florida families purchase window coverings or plywood to provide greater protection when hurricane-strength winds are predicted in the Tampa Bay area. Once you have protected the outside of your home, think about how to safely protect your family.

• Identify an interior room of your house, such as a bathroom, where you can take shelter in during high wind warnings
• Charge batteries of all essential items such as cell phones and booster packs, weather radios and power tools such as a reciprocating saw, which you might need to clear debris
• Check your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water for 3 days for each person in your home

 The Florida Division of Emergency Management offers a comprehensive website to help you, your family and your home weather rough storms in the future. Check it out here.

Build Yourself an Emergency Kit.

Almost anyone who has lived in Florida for any length of time has an emergency stash of food, water and other essentials at the ready. It would be wise for you to do the same. And you don’t have to spend days of your life or thousands of dollars to create one either. Just keep in mind that should a severe storm hit your house, you may be without electricity for days and be in major clean-up mode. Some families prep by adding a few hurricane supplies at a time each time they go to the grocery or big box store. Here is a recommended list of minimal supplies for your emergency kit:

• 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day)
• 3-day supply of canned, boxed or other  non-perishable food
• One or more change of clothes
• A good first-aid kit
• Battery-powered portable radio
• Flashlight, with extra batteries
• Extra battery packs for mobile devices
• A copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy
• Credit card AND cash
• Prescription and non-prescription medication
• Sleeping bag, blanket and/or pillow
• Emergency contact list (on paper)
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members

A Basic First-Aid Kit Is a Must.

You can buy already equipped first-aid kits at stores and online that range from the simplest to the most extensive. Or you can build your own first-aid kit with exactly what you and your family consider important. Here’s a start:

·       First aid manual

·       Sterile gauze bandages

·       Adhesive bandages and tape

·       Scissors

·       Sewing needle and thread

·       Tweezers

·       Moist towelettes

·       Thermometer

·       Antiseptic

·       Disinfecting wipes

·       Safety pins

·       Latex gloves

·       Soap

·       Sunscreen

·       Aspirin

·       Cotton balls

·       Petroleum jelly

·       Q-tips

Of course you’ll want to add any special needs of your particular family as well as your doctor-prescribed prescription medications.

Two More Websites with Good Advice. 

A far more comprehensive list of emergency supplies created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can be printed out from here. And this website from Florida Disaster.org offers more detailed descriptions of the general supplies, first aid, documents, important phone numbers, automobile, pet care, clothing and other considerations should you be affected by severe storms.

You’re Fine but Want to Help Others.

It’s amazing how one area of our region can be heavily impacted by severe storms and another remain relatively untouched. If you’re one of the lucky ones, and we hope you are, maybe you’d like to assist other families facing damage from a storm. You may consider contacting the Tampa Bay area’s most popular charities to see if they need help. These include the Red Cross of Tampa, Metropolitan Ministries, and many local churches who answer the call of those in need. It’s really no surprise that the residents of the Tampa Bay area are among the kindest and most helpful neighbors anywhere.