Hurricane Season is Here - Are you ready?

    Call 425-9316 for a Hurricane Presentation for your Community

REGIONAL EVACUATION SCENARIOS FOR LEE COUNTY

The following are the directions that Lee County suggests, if an evacuations is recommended:

Hurricane Making Landfall in Southwest Florida:

If you leave early, head north to central Florida.

If you leave late, head south and east to Southeast Florida.

Hurricane Making Landfall in the Tampa Bay Area:

If you leave early, head south then east to SE Florida.  If you leave late, head south then east to South Florida or stay in the county.

Hurricane Crossing the State From the East Coast on the South Side of the Region:

If you leave early, head north to Central Florida.  

If you leave late, stay in the county.

Hurricane Crossing the State from the East Coast on the North Side of the Region:

Stay in Lee County

Hurrricane Parallel to the West Coast of the State:

Travel south then east to the Southeast region of the State.

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

If we fail to plan, we plan to fail!

If a hurricane hits our coast, do you have everything you need?  Do you know what you will do?  Planning is the first and foremost important thing you can do to be ready.  Having an evacuation plan and plenty of supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water, batteries, a battery operated weather radio and medication will make it easier for you to deal with the storm.

Planning where to go

You should plan ahead of time on where you should go if you need to evacuate.  What route will you take to exit the area?  Will you go to a public shelter and if so, where is it?  Do you have a plan with other family or friends in the area that you could travel with to a designated area on the other coast?

Supplies to stock up on

Having enough supplies for at least 3-4 days should be adequate.  Have one gallon of water per person per day. Have enough supplies for pets as well.  Along with the above listed items, you should also consider having; flashlights, first aid kit, baby needs, games for kids, pillows, blankets and small towels for washing.  As a storm approaches, make sure your car is filled with gas and you have extra cash on hand.  It would be a good idea to have propane tanks filled and stored safely for cooking on grills.  Never store propane in the house.  Plan on charging your cell phone battery and having a spare on hand.

Pets

Make sure you have a plan for where your pets will go in the event of a storm.  Lee County has now adopted some schools as pet friendly shelters.  See the shelter list below for a (P) which indicates a pet friendly shelter.  They will not be allowed in the regular public shelters.  Call ahead and make arrangements with a kennel that keeps pets during a storm or make arrangements to take your pets with you.  If you plan on staying in a hotel, call ahead to make sure they will accept pets.  AAA Motor Club has a listing of pet friendly motels/hotels in our state.

Insurance policies and other important documents

It would be a good idea to have a small, portable safe where you could keep your insurance policies and other important documents on a regular basis.  You could then travel with this easily to make sure you have them if need be.  Making sure you have your home owner's insurance number with you would be important if your house sustained damage in the storm.

Preparing your home is important

Think about all the loose items you have outside around your house and yard.  These can become dangerous projectiles during a storm.  Make sure you take the time to move them inside to avoid more harm to others or property.  Plan on taping windows and/or covering them with plywood or getting shutters installed.

Boats and other recreational vehicles

If you own jet skis, a boat or other recreational vehicles, check with your local marina to determine the safest way to secure them during a storm.

Notify family

Let relatives know ahead of time what your plans will be in case of a storm.  Make sure they have your cell phone number or the number of the place where you plan on staying (the hotel/motel or the shelter name and location.)

Know the difference between a 'watch' and a 'warning'

A 'watch' indicates that the storm is near enough that everyone who lives in the area covered by the 'watch' should be alert for other advisories and should begin taking precautionary measures in case the storm nears.  If a 'warning' is issued, all precautions should be taken immediately.  A 'warning' means that winds of 74 mph or higher are expected in the area within a 24-hour period.

WATER - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 days

FOOD - at least enough for 3 days

  -non-perishable packaged or canned      food/juices

    -food for infants or the elderly

    -snack foods

    -non-electric can opener

    -cooking tools / propane / portable grill

    -paper plates / plastic utensils

CLOTHING  

    - seasonal / rain gear/sturdy shoes

BLANKETS/PILLOWS, etc.

FIRST AID KIT/MEDICINES

  - prescription and nonprescription       medications

    - glasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc.

SPECIAL ITEMS  

  - for babies and elderly

TOILETRIES

  - hygiene items

MOISTURE WIPES

FLASHLIGHT/BATTERIES

RADIO

  - battery operated and NOAA weather radio

CASH

KEYS

   - extra set of home and car keys

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

  - in a waterproof container

   - insurance, medical records, bank account      numbers, Social Security card etc.

   - document all valuables

   - make a video or photo scrap book of all your      valuables and mark their value, date purchased,      and include an receipts or warranties you might      have.  Have the camera date stamp the pictures if      available.

TOYS/BOOKS/ENTERTAINMENT

TOOLS

  - keep a set with you during storm

VEHICLE FUEL TANKS FILLED

PET CARE ITEMS

   - proper identification / immunization records

   - ample supply of food and water

   - a carrier or cage

   - medications

   - muzzle and leash

   - toy

   - make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date - shelters      will require this information