near their long-term averages, while subtropical Atlantic sea surface Terms 2 temperatures are much warmer than Alerts 2 their long-term average values. The Gas Safety 3 warmer subtropical Atlantic also favors an active 2021 Tips & Contacts 3 . Forecast 4 Now is also the time to go over your Get a Plan 4 disaster plan with your family. Make Only Down 5 sure you know your evacuation route the Drain should you plan to leave the area; and provide a neighbor/friend with your Hurricane season for the Atlantic and contact information should you leave. Gulf of Mexico region begins June 1 and ends November 30. Hurricane The City of Fort Walton Beach researchers are predicting an above- encourages all residents to be safe average Atlantic hurricane season in before, during and after a storm. Inside 2021, citing the likely absence of El this newsletter you will find more Niño as a primary factor. Tropical helpful tips and information for this Atlantic sea surface temperatures are hurricane season.

At the start of hurricane season, it is antiseptic wipes, antibacterial important to assemble a disaster supply ointment, tweezers, adhesive tape, kit. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy etc. to carry containers. Keep important • Prescriptions. documents in a waterproof container. • Battery-powered portable radio, A disaster supply kit should include the flashlight and extra batteries. following: • Emergency tools. • At least a 3-day supply of water • Phone and extra batteries/charger. (one gallon per person per day). • Credit Card and cash. • Food that won’t spoil/can opener. • Special items for infant, elderly or • One change of clothing and shoes disabled family members. per person per day. • Personal hygiene supplies and • One blanket or sleeping bag per sunscreen. person and pillow. • Other items needed on daily basis. • First-aid kit with bandages,

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Page 2 Understanding the following terms storm . Storm surges can reach may be helpful as you listen to 25 feet high and be 50 - 100 miles In the aftermath of a information on your radio or wide. hurricane or tropical television before and during a storm. storm, there is one thing Hurricanes are a type of tropical Storm Tide A combination of storm we can count on - - organized rotating weather surge and the normal tide (i.e. a 15- that needs to be cleaned systems that develop in the . foot combined with a 2- up and hauled away. Tropical are classified as foot normal high tide over the mean Ordinance 10.80.06 follows: sea level creates a 17-foot storm tide). states that no resident, contractor or business Tropical Depression An organized Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch shall cut, trim or remove system of persistent and Hurricane/tropical storm conditions trees once the City of with a closed low-level are possible in the specified area, Fort Walton Beach has circulation and maximum sustained usually within 36 hours. been placed under a winds of 38 mph or less. Tropical Storm Watch or Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning Hurricane Watch/ Tropical Storm An organized system Hurricane/tropical storm conditions Warning. Loose tree of strong thunderstorms with a well are expected in the specified area, limbs can clog storm defined circulation and maximum usually within 24 hours. drains and become sustained winds of 39 - 73 mph. borne debris. General Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale guidelines for separating Hurricane An intense tropical Hurricanes are classified into five storm debris: 1) Make weather system with a well defined categories based on their wind speed, two separate piles - one circulation and sustained winds of 74 central pressure, and damage for vegetation (tree mph or higher. potential. Category 3 and higher trunks, branches) and one hurricanes are considered major for construction debris Other terms important to know to help hurricanes, although Category 1 (shingles, lumber, etc.). identify a hurricane hazard include: and 2 are still extremely Place the separate piles in dangerous and warrant our residents’ the public right-of-way Storm Surge A dome of water pushed full attention. next to the street in front onshore by hurricane and tropical of your property. Only storm debris in the right- of-way will be collected. Debris should never be Fort Walton Beach residents, business Notifications are sent through the placed in the street and owners, and visitors are strongly channels preferred by the user, and should be kept away from encouraged to enroll in Alert can be sent via: fire hydrants, manholes, Okaloosa, a notification system used -Email storm drains, mail boxes, to alert residents about weather -Business Phone utility meters, etc. 2) emergencies and actions to take. -Home Phone Debris collection and (Alert Okaloosa is replacing the -Cell phone (text) disposal covered by county’s Code Red system.) -Cell phone (automated call) property insurance is not eligible and should not be Alert Okaloosa, which is operated by To ensure that the system will notify placed in the right-of- the Okaloosa Department of you when you or your business are way for collection. 3) Emergency Management, will notify threatened by severe weather or other Commercial entities and residents in area where severe weather public safety emergency, please residents of private roads is predicted, to let them know ahead of register your address and preferred must make their own time of tornadoes, flash flooding, or contact information into the Alert arrangements for debris other threats. Okaloosa county portal. Sign up here: removal. http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/ps/alert

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Many residents stock up on gasoline local regulations prohibit the storage during the months due to of large amounts of flammable Emergency 911 lawn care and hurricane season. The liquids in inhabited buildings. Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Carrying an extra supply of gasoline City of FWB would like to provide these helpful 850-833-9500 hints for gasoline storage. Improper in the car is not recommended. This storage and handling of flammable practice enhances the likelihood of City Building Permits liquids (most commonly gasoline) injury from explosion. However, if 850-833-9605 can be ignited by smoking materials, gasoline must be carried in your electrical spark, or appliance pilot vehicle store it in a heavy, unvented FWB Police lights. The following actions can can. A container must have vapor 850-833-9546 prevent the build-up of unseen tight seals on the cap of the fill opening and the pouring spout. FWB Fire Dept gasoline vapors. 850-833-9565 When storing gas at home, be sure to Leave room in the container for gas FWB Sanitation use approved “UL” listed safety to expand as it is warmed by the heat of the day or heat of the car. 850-833-9655 containers. Never use a glass jug, discarded bleach bottle or other non- Securely anchor the can to prevent Okaloosa County conforming container. damage in the event of an accident or Citizen Information sudden stop. And of course, do not Line 850-651-7583 Store the fuel in a well ventilated area where tipping over or accidental smoke. Okaloosa County damage is unlikely to occur. Remember, always keep cigarettes, Sheriff’s Office 850-651-7400 Do not store flammable liquids in the lighters, matches and small children same room as household heating away from gasoline. When refilling FEMA 800-621-3362 equipment. Home utility rooms can yard equipment, do so in a well be unsafe because a pilot light or vented area, and allow the engine to Small Business sparking switch can set off an cool before pouring in the gas. Administration Hotline explosion of unseen vapors. Many 800-827-5722

Gulf Power 800-487-6937

The Federal Emergency Management your agent again. Salvation Army Agency (FEMA) offers these tips for 850-243-4531 filing insurance claims: Evidence of your loss will be important in reaching an estimate. American Red Cross When you call your insurance agent Photographs and videotape of the 850-682-3356 to make a claim, have your policy property showing damage are United Way of number and an address and telephone valuable. Make a list of your Okaloosa & Walton number where you can be reached. damaged property including age and Counties 850-243-0315 value. Show adjuster any repair During the call, ask when an adjuster estimates you have received from FL Dept. of Financial can be expected to visit your contractors or technicians. Services 800-227-8676 property. The adjuster will work with you to calculate your losses and Contact FEMA at 800-621-3362, or prepare a settlement estimate. If you www.fema.gov to register for do not hear from the adjuster within a disaster assistance. week of the expected time, contact

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Page 4 Tropical storms and hurricanes are given a Colorado State University hurricane Niño for the peak of the Atlantic name due to their long- researchers are predicting an above- hurricane season. El Niño tends to term persistence and average Atlantic hurricane season in increase upper-level westerly winds need for a unique 2021, citing the likely absence of El across the Caribbean into the identifier for issuing Niño as a primary factor. Tropical tropical Atlantic, tearing apart warning & information. Atlantic sea surface temperatures hurricanes as they try to form. The National Hurricane are near their long-term averages, While the tropical Atlantic currently Center has six different while subtropical Atlantic sea lists of names that are has water temperatures near their used. The lists are surface temperatures are much long-term averages, the warmer- recycled every six years, warmer than their long-term average than-normal subtropical Atlantic but notable names, such values. The warmer subtropical typically forces a weaker as Ivan, Katrina, Opal Atlantic also favors an active 2021 subtropical high and associated and Irma can be retired. Atlantic hurricane season. weaker winds blowing across the Below is the list of tropical Atlantic. These conditions names for the 2021 The tropical Pacific currently has then lead to warmer waters in the hurricane season. If all weak La Niña conditions, that is, tropical Atlantic for the peak of the of these names are used water temperatures are somewhat Atlantic hurricane season. The CSU before the end of the cooler than normal in the eastern Tropical Project team season, additional and central tropical Pacific. While is predicting 17 named storms storms will take names these waters may warm slightly during the Atlantic hurricane from an alternate list of during the next few months, CSU season. names approved by the does not currently anticipate El World Meteorological Organization.

during these difficult times. That’s why citizens are encouraged to create a disaster plan in the event our area is struck by a storm. One way to do this is through the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website, www.Floridadisaster.org. This website provides residents with information and help on In a major disaster, emergency developing a family plan, a workers may not be able to reach business plan, a kids plan and everyone right away, and in some strengthening your home. There is cases it may take three or more also information for disabled days for help to arrive. What would residents. you do if you had no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone Get your plan together today. service? Having a plan for your Remember, it is always better to family and their needs will help plan before a disaster strikes. ensure their safety and comfort

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Most coastal residents are fully Sediment – suffocates and kills When a hurricane hits aware of Hurricane season (June 1- oysters, submerged vegetation, and our area, power may be November 30) and the issues storm clogs stormwater pipes. Oysters lost. Depending on the surges can cause. and submerged vegetation filter severity of a storm, it local waterways to help keep them can take a few days to What some residents might not clean. several weeks to restore think about, however, are what power to all customers. stormwater mechanisms are in place Trash – clutters our beaches, clogs During this time, please to remove the waters during pipes, and could be mistaken for stay away from all and after these and other storm food by marine mammals and sea downed power lines, events. turtles. and treat all lines as if The City of Fort Walton Beach Leaves – create a compost pile with they are active. If a currently has approximately 34 yard clippings & kitchen scraps. Do power line is down near miles of underground stormwater not put leaves in ditches or storm you, stand still, warn pipe, 61 outfalls (end of pipe drains. Place the leaves in yard others to stay back and call Gulf Power meeting open body of water), 11 debris bags and put them on the immediately. This is stormwater retention ponds, 3 miles curb for pickup. Do not put loose important because of the of ditches and streams, and over leaves on the curb. hazards of Step 1,300 curb and surface inlets. Pet waste – picking up after your Potential. If you’re The City maintains this pet will help reduce bacterial & caught in the energy infrastructure by cleaning ditch nutrient pollution during rain field of a downed line, lines, inspecting stormwater events. and step away, on foot infrastructure, mapping may be in a 7,000 volt infrastructure, rehabbing and These items can pollute the water, area and the other is in a replacing outdated pipes, designing clog the storm drain systems and 6,000 volt area. The and planning upgrades, and lead to flooding, especially during difference that will pass removing debris. extreme rain events such as a through you is 1,000 hurricane. volts. Also, do not The general public can help the City connect portable keep the stormwater system clean Eliminating items other than generators to your and ready for the next big rain stormwater from the storm drain household electrical event, and also keep area waterways systems also reduces operating & wiring, Rather, plug clean, by keeping these items out of maintenance cost. appliances into the stormwater infrastructure: generator. By By keeping these items out of the backfeeding power Motor oil – 5 quarts of motor oil storm drain system & ditches we through your house, you can create an oil slick two football will work together in improving our endanger power crews fields in size. Keep your car tuned water quality, and ensure working to restore up & repair leaks. Do not store floodwaters subside by only power in your these items in low lying areas. allowing stormwater to become neighborhood. Turn off discharged into our local waters. large appliances and air Household hazardous waste conditioners and wait 10 (antifreeze, batteries, paint, This is one of many steps needed to to 15 minutes after cleaners, etc.) – dispose of properly ensure the health and safety for power has been restored or recycle at designated centers. Do future generations! before turning them not pour these items down a Remember: Only rain down the back on. stormwater inlet. drain!