Hurricane Newsletter
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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS & EVACUATION INFORMATION Volume 1, Issue 1 THINK – PLAN – ACT June 2021 Hurricane Season June 1 – November 30 Preparation Plan … Forecasts Be Prepared TROPICAL CLIMATE Residents are urged to develop a disaster preparedness plan before an emergency strikes. Plan in advance where you will stay, how you will get • Tropical Depression – An organized there and what supplies you will take. system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum 1. Make arrangements with friends or relatives living in a non- sustained winds * of 38 mph (33kt*) or less. evacuation area or check into a hotel located inland: or, as a last resort, use a public shelter (see evacuation pickup • Tropical Storm – An organized system of sites under EVACUATION). strong thunderstorms with a defined surface 2. Have a transportation plan for emergencies. circulation and maximum sustained winds of 3. Tell family or neighbors where you would go to stay in case 39-73 mph (34-36kt). of an emergency. 4. Don’t leave your pet(s) behind make arrangements with a • Hurricane – An Intense tropical weather kennel or friend to care for your pet(s). There are Hotels system of strong thunderstorms with a well- that will accept pets with prior registration. defined surface circulation and maximum Before Evacuating Secure Your Home/Condo/Apartment sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher. Take down and bring in any signs, tables, garbage cans, plants, furniture, umbrellas, and other loose and/or unsecured structures Saffir-Simpson Scale from outdoors, including all balconies. Category 1: Sustained winds of 74.95 mph Please keep the following in mind when preparing your home before evacuating: Storm Surge 4-5 ft Category 2: Sustained winds of 96-110 mph • Fill Prescriptions and fill vehicle gas tanks Storm Surge 6-8 ft Category 3: Sustained winds of 111-130 mph • Unplug TV/computer and bring antenna and satellite dish inside. Category 4: Sustained winds of 131-155 mph Storm Surge 13-18 ft • Move furniture and electronics away from windows and Category 5: Sustained winds of 155 + mph cover with plastic. Storm Surge 18+ ft • Turn refrigerator to its coolest setting Hurricane Watch - A hurricane may strike your • Place valuables in waterproof containers and store in high area within 24-48 hours place. IMPORTANT RESOURCES St. Johns County Emergency Management 100 EOC Drive St. Augustine, FL 32092 https://www.sjcemergencymanagement.com/ Two-Week Supply of Necessary Items PETS – Do Not Leave Your Pet at Home Maintain a two-week supply of food and drink for when you The survival of you and your pets could depend on your return after a storm. personal disaster plan. Write it down. In times of emergency, You may want to include the following items: overlooking important tasks is easy. Know if you are in an evacuation zone, and when you will evacuate (NOTE: ALL • Water and ice mobile home residents are required to evacuate at any level of a hurricane.) Even if you live in a non-flood zone, have a contingency plan in case you are required to evacuate for other types of emergencies. List all the survival items you will need for your pets. Purchase supplies for at least two weeks. Travel will likely be very difficult and unsafe. Getting any additional supplies after the storm arrives maybe impossible for several days. • Special dietary need items • Small container of canned meats, fruits, soups, etc. When you are planning for your evacuation, the location you are • Dry cereal and cracker planning to go to should be as close to home as is safely • Granola, cereal, protein bars, nuts, peanut butter possible. The highways will be crowded, making long distance • Canned or bottled juices travel difficult. Some motels and hotels will allow pets during • Dry or non-refrigerated milk and baby formula declared evacuations if they are properly confined in a carrier or Survival Kit cage. Check with your preferred motel or hotel before evacuating to be sure your pet will be welcome. A limited Keep a kit at your home with the following items in it. Some of these number of private boarding facilities are available for your pets if items will be needed to secure your home, some you will take with you cannot evacuate with them. Remember to choose a you when you evacuate, and others will be needed once the storm boarding facility located close to your evacuation route as travel will be at best, difficult. has passed and you are allowed to re-occupy your home. Pet Supply Kit Radio/TV/Fan (battery Toiletries Medication and medical records and a first aid kit. powered) Spare Keys to Home & Study leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pet safely and Vehicle Flashlights ensure that you animals can’t escape. Food, portable water bowls, cat litter/pan, and can opener. Batteries Fuel (stored in approved container) Current pet photo in case they get lost. Can Opener Information on deeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior Fire Extinguisher problems. Seasonal Clothing Map of the area Name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets. Blanket & Pillows Emergency cooking facilities Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable. Mosquito/Insect Repellant Propane for gas grills Matches, Lantern or Lighter Cash – small bills as the power will prevent credit card If you plan to shelter with your pet, you will need to go to one Prescription Medicines usage of our pet friendly shelters. Once an evacuation order has been issued and the shelter locations are announced, First Aid Kit proceed to a shelter. Pre-registration is not required unless you need transportation assistance. Baby Diapers & Incontinent pads (if applicable) Additional items may be needed per your personal necessities IMPORTANT RESOURCES St. Johns County Emergency Management T HERE ARE HURRICANE SHELTERS IN 100 EOC Drive If it’s not possible for you to stay with family or friends outside St.P A Augustine, L M B E A C HFL C 32092OUNTY the designated evacuation area, general shelter locations will 904-824-5550 be announced once an evacuation order has been issued. Palmhttps://www.sjcemergencymanagement.com/ Beach County currently operates hurricane Pre-registration is not required unless you need transportation evacuation shelters across the County. All hurricane assistance. evacuation shelters meet current ARC 4496 design standards to withstand hurricane force winds, including Not all shelters will open for every evacuation. Please monitor window strength and protection, wind and debris local radio and television stations, or contact St. Johns County exposure, and storm surge inundation. Emergency Management at (904) 824-5550 to find out which shelters are open when an evacuation order is given. Shelter openings are also available on our website: A hurricane evacuation shelter is a refuge of last resort; a www.sjcemergencymanagement.org/shetopen.html place to go if you can't stay at home or with a relative, friend, or co-worker or nearby hotel. While shelters are set up in schools, the timing of their opening and locations can Emergencychange due to the circumstances of the storm.911 Not all EOCshelters are opened for every storm. Monitor904 local-824 -media5550 FLfor Dept current Health shelter openings and locations. 904-209-3250 Highway Patrol 904-417-4272 Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency 904-824-8304 PolicePalm Non Beach-Emergency County and Palm Beach County904 Schools-630-0500 Citymanage Flood Services public shelters. Shelters provide simple904-630 meals-2489 Priceand Gouging beverages; Hotline if you have special dietary 866needs-966 or- 7226want FPLsnacks, (Report you an must Outage) bring your own. Shelters 800provide-468 -basic8243 Poisonfirst aid Control only; cots and medical care are not800 provided-222-1222. FEMA 800-621-3362 Local Radio Stations WFCF Flagler College Radio – 88.5 FM Special Needs and Emergency Evacuation WFOY Newstalk – 102.1 FM WOKV Jacksonville – News 104.5 FM Citizens of St. Johns County requiring assistance to evacuate to a shelter during an emergency situation should complete WSOS Ponte Vedra – 95.7 FM an Evacuation Assistance Request Form. WSOS St Augustine – 103.9 FM - 1170 AM There are 3 levels of Evacuation Assistance Available: WYRE – Beaches 105.5 FM • Someone who requires transportation only to one of the General Shelters. Local Television Stations • Someone who needs a special medical need that Action News Jax – CBS47 / Fox30 required Special Medical Needs Shelter, but does Emergency Evacuation Pick-up Sites First Coast News – NBC12 / ABC25 not require transportation assistance. News4Jax – WJXT4 The Local Channel Varies• Someone depending who news has reports.a special medicalPlease listenneed thatto your requires Special Medical Needs Shelter, as well as St. Johns County Government Television local newsrequiring for updatedtransportation information assistance. on emergency evacuation pick-up sites. You must meet a certain medical criteria to be assigned to a Special Needs Shelter. Special Medical Needs Shelters are for people with medical needs that can’t be met in a General Shelter. Please review the information regarding what is an what is not available at a Special Needs Shelter. Registering on the St. Johns Emergency Management website is not a guarantee that emergency officials will be able to assist you in an emergency. 2021 HURRICANE EVACUATION CENTERS These shelters are a refuge of last resort; a place to go if you can’t stay at home or with a relative, friend, co- worker or nearby hotel. Hurricane Evacuation Centers should be utilized when the alternative does not exist. Remember, evacuation centers are not designed for comfort and not all accept pets. NOT ALL SHELTERS ARE OPEN FOR EVERY STORM! Please monitor the local media for current shelter openings and locations. .