Before the Storm

• Visit http://gisims2.miamidade.gov/Cservices/CSMap.asp to find out if you live in an evacuation zone.
•  Determine whether you will need to evacuate or not. If you need to evacuate, please contact 311 to find out which shelter is the closest to you. Plan an evacuation route.
• Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
• Learn safe routes inland.
• Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
• Have a disaster supplies kit on hand.
• Make arrangements for pets. Animals may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters or visit the Humane Society's Hurricane Preparation Page.
• Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane.
• Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
• Protect your windows. Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood--marine plywood is best--cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
• Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
• Bring in and secure plants and loose furniture (such as garden furniture), garbage can.
• Charge your cell phone. You may need to use the phone to let family members know you and your family are in a safe place.
• Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
• Purchase a basic analog phone in case power goes out. Features such as a display, answering machine or speaker require external power to run them. This external power is also used to power the chip that converts the key pad pulses to a “touch tone” signal. (The “basic” phone uses the DC voltage on the phone line to power the keypad.) Be sure to purchase an inexpensive phone that does not require electricity to use in case of power outages.

During the Storm

• Determine the “safe room” or the safest areas in your location. In certain circumstances, the safest areas may not be your home but within your community. This “room” should be one away from windows. Bathrooms and/or closets are examples of some typical “safe room” choices.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid using open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.
• Bring your pets inside and place them in a safe area. Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate, and make sure their registration and vaccinations are current and that you keep a copy of this documentation readily available.
• Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

After the Storm

• Stay tuned to local radio for information.
• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
• Call for help.
• Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
• Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department.
• Enter your home with caution.
• Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
• Take pictures of any damage to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
• Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Use telephone only for emergency calls.

Preparing Your Kit
Review the list below. Gather the supplies that are listed.

There are six basics you should stock for your home:
􀂃 Water
􀂃 Food
􀂃 First aid supplies
􀂃 Clothing and bedding
􀂃 Tools and emergency supplies
􀂃 Special items
􀂃 Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy to carry container - suggested items are marked with an asterisk (*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Water
􀂅 Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot weather and intense physical activity can double this amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
􀂃 Store one gallon of water per person per day.
􀂃 Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person.

Food
􀂃 Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

*Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
􀂅 Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
􀂅 Canned juices
􀂅 Salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.
􀂅 High-energy foods
􀂅 Vitamins
􀂅 Food for infants
􀂅 Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:
􀂅 Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
􀂅 Assorted sizes of safety pins
􀂅 Cleansing agent/soap
􀂅 Latex gloves (2 pairs)
􀂅 Sunscreen
􀂅 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
􀂅 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
􀂅 Triangular bandages (3)
􀂅 Non-prescription drugs
􀂅 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
􀂅 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
􀂅 Scissors
􀂅 Tweezers
􀂅 Needle
􀂅 Moist towelettes
􀂅 Antiseptic
􀂅 Thermometer
􀂅 Tongue blades (2)
􀂅 Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Clothing and Bedding
􀂅 Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person*
􀂅 Sturdy shoes or work boots*
􀂅 Rain gear*
􀂅 Blankets or sleeping bags*
􀂅 Hat and gloves
􀂅 Thermal underwear
􀂅 Sunglasses

Tools and Supplies
􀂅 Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*
􀂅 Emergency preparedness manual*
􀂅 Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
􀂅 Flashlight and extra batteries*
􀂅 Cash or traveler's checks, change*
􀂅 Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
􀂅 Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
􀂅 Tube tent
􀂅 Pliers
􀂅 Tape
􀂅 Compass
􀂅 Matches in a waterproof container
􀂅 Aluminum foil
􀂅 Plastic storage containers
􀂅 Signal flare
􀂅 Paper, pencil
􀂅 Needles, thread
􀂅 Medicine dropper
􀂅 Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
􀂅 Whistle
􀂅 Plastic sheeting
􀂅 Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Special Items
Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons:

For Babies*
􀂅 Formula
􀂅 Baby Food
􀂅 Powdered milk
􀂅 Bottles
􀂅 Medication
􀂅 Wipes
􀂅 Diapers

For Adults*
􀂅 Heart and high blood pressure medication
􀂅 Insulin
􀂅 Prescription drugs
􀂅 Denture needs
􀂅 Contact lenses and supplies
􀂅 Extra eye glasses

Non-Prescription Drugs
􀂅 Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
􀂅 Anti-diarrhea medication
􀂅 Antacid (for upset stomach)
􀂅 Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
􀂅 Laxative
􀂅 Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

For Pets
Pets depend on their owners to survive any disaster. Below is a checklist of suggested items to stock up for your pet.

􀂅 Food
􀂅 Water
􀂅 Medicine
􀂅 First aid kit
􀂅 Current vaccination records
􀂅 Toys
􀂅 A current photo of you pet(s)

For Dogs:
􀂅 Leash
􀂅 Collar
􀂅 Tag and ID
􀂅 Crate to safely transport pets
􀂅 Trash bags for handling waste
􀂅 Doggie scooper

For Cats/Ferrets:
􀂅 Collar
􀂅 Tag and ID
􀂅 Litter pan
􀂅 Litter box
􀂅 Litter liner
􀂅 Litter scooper
􀂅 Crate to safely transport pets

For Fish:
The key for fish survival prepare the tank as best as possible by cleaning and preparing the tank prior to a storm. If you lose power and your tank has an adapter, you can operate the pump with batteries. It is also recommended to underfeed the fish. This will prevent less debris and contamination from the eaten food and fish feces and other matter.

Sanitation
􀂅 Toilet paper, towelettes*
􀂅 Soap, liquid detergent*
􀂅 Feminine supplies*
􀂅 Personal hygiene items*
􀂅 Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
􀂅 Plastic bucket with tight lid
􀂅 Disinfectant
􀂅 Household chlorine bleach

Entertainment
􀂅 Games and books

Important Family Documents
􀂅 Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
􀂅 Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
􀂅 Passports, social security cards, immunization records
􀂅 Bank account numbers
􀂅 Credit card account numbers and companies
􀂅 Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
􀂅 Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
􀂅 Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car.
􀂅 Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
􀂅 Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

Generator Safety

Using Portable Generators Safely

A portable generator can help restore life to normal during emergencies, but its safe use requires care and planning. The following tips — and a thorough reading of the generator’s instructions — can help avoid dangerous shortcuts.

Gasoline-powered generators produce deadly carbon monoxide fumes

• Always run portable generators outside the house.
• Never run generators inside, or in a garage.
• Keep generators well away from open windows – including neighbors - so deadly exhaust does not enter the home.

Tip: You can’t trust your senses for protection from carbon monoxide; this deadly gas is invisible and odorless. When buying a generator, also buy a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm. It works like a smoke alarm, sounding an alert if carbon monoxide levels become dangerous

Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring

Power from a generator connected to a home's wiring will "back feed" into utility lines, potentially injuring severely or killing a neighbor or utility crew working to restore service.

•  Plug appliances directly into the generator's outlet.
• Use a heavy-duty extension cord rated for outdoor use to keep the generator safely outdoors.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for grounding the generator.

Tip: If the appliance has a three-prong plug, always use a three-prong extension cord.

What will a small generator run?

A small generator of about 3,000 watts can run a few lights, fans and a refrigerator all at one time. If used to start and run only one item at a time, it can run a ½ horsepower pump, or a small window air conditioner of about 5,000 BTUs.

• Each generator has a rated wattage, which provides a limit on the appliances it will safely power.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper use and load. Overloading the generator can result in damage to appliances it is powering.

Tip: You do not need to run everything at same time; rotating larger items allows the use of a smaller generator which costs less to buy and is easier to move.

Getting started

• Never refuel a hot generator or one that is running: hot engine parts or exhaust can ignite gasoline.
• Turn off all connected appliances before starting your generator.
• Turn connected appliances on one at a time, never exceeding the generator’s rated wattage.

Get the most from your generator

• Save gas by using appliances only as needed. If no appliances are running, shut the generator off.
• If you are just running a few lights, using other sources may cost less than running the generator.
• Do not leave a running generator unattended; turn it off at night and when away from home.

Tip: Refrigerators may only need to run a few hours a day to preserve food. Using a refrigerator thermometer, aim to maintain 40 degrees in the refrigerator compartment and 0 degrees in the freezer.

Be a good neighbor
If the power is out, your neighbors are probably sleeping with their windows open. Consider that the sound of your generator may not be music to everyone's ears!

HURRICANE CATEGORIES
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf and the shape of the coastline, in the landfall region. Note that all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.



Category One Hurricane:
Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr). Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Hurricane Lili of 2002 made landfall on the Louisiana coast as a Category One hurricane. Hurricane Gaston of 2004 was a Category One hurricane that made landfall along the central South Carolina coast.

Category Two Hurricane:
Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr). Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings. Hurricane Frances of 2004 made landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island, Florida as a Category Two hurricane. Hurricane Isabel of 2003 made landfall near Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane.

Category Three Hurricane:
Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required. Hurricanes Jeanne and Ivan of 2004 were Category Three hurricanes when they made landfall in Florida and in Alabama, respectively.

Category Four Hurricane:
Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km). Hurricane Charley of 2004 was a Category Four hurricane made landfall in Charlotte County, Florida with winds of 150 mph. Hurricane Dennis of 2005 struck the island of Cuba as a Category Four hurricane.

Category Five Hurricane:
Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. Only 3 Category Five Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Camille (1969), and Hurricane Andrew in August, 1992. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane struck the Florida Keys with a minimum pressure of 892 mb--the lowest pressure ever observed in the United States. Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast causing a 25-foot storm surge, which inundated Pass Christian. Hurricane Andrew of 1992 made landfall over southern Miami-Dade County, Florida causing 26.5 billion dollars in losses--the costliest hurricane on record. In addition, Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record with a minimum pressure of 888 mb.