Need hurricane/tornado advice

FLmomof5 · Jun 16, 2010

I've been in FL since 2003. Even though I lived through one of the worst hurricane seasons, it was never bad where I lived. (W side of Jax)

Unlike tornadoes, you get plenty of warning when a hurricane is approaching. Your city will tell you when/if to evacuate. Even if it later proved overly cautionary, I would follow their advice and high tail it out of town.

Watch the local news. They will have specials with information about how to survive a hurricane. Hiding in a tub is for tornadoes, not hurricanes.

on eagles wings, ASN, RN · Jun 16, 2010

It also depends where you live in FL I think. I live on the veryyyy east coast of Miami so when something comes, I feel it pretty good.

You always want to have water, batteries, flashlights(NOT candles), powdered milk, first aid kit, and I dare say even extra cell phone batteries. Also, stock up on your prescribed medicines. Like an extra month or two of them, just in case you lose one in the "puddles"(seriously).

I've never had anyone try to steal from us during an emergency. You want to have a nice relationship with your neighbor in case you are missing something or need a place to stay.

Get special shutters for your apt. if you don't have them already. DO NOT USE TAPE!!! NEVER use tape on your windows. We used that years ago and we never could take them off completely.

Never have a door open or a window open during a hurricane, even if it's "just" a level two. Depending on where you live you could have a water moccasin(very venomous snake) slither into your home, or an alligator, or raccoon. Sounds dumb but we don't have cute, friendly pests. Lol. You are going to have to get used to hearing about gators finding a nice neighborhood pool to chill in.

Get a list of emergency numbers. Also know about local shelters you can go to in case your place gets flooded. Usually these are high schools open for local residents.

Also, I want you to know you do not have to panic before a hurricane. You will know in advance(about a week or so, or even more) if a hurricane is going to be a hit or miss. I am used to this and learned not to freak out until a few days before. Those guys can change their route unexpectedly.

If it is a direct hit, you are probably going to be stuck at home for a week. In the summer of 2004, we got smacked with 3 right after another with no electricity for about 1-2 weeks. Many for more than 3. You'll get the hang of it. Wish you luck.

If you have anymore Q's let me know.

Blackcat99 · Jun 16, 2010

Thanks to both of you very much. Very good advice. I think I am going to have to start being much more friendly to my neighbors. You're right. :idea: If my apt. is damaged they might let me stay at their apt. and vice versa.

Morgan0429 · Jun 17, 2010

I agree with the above posters. I have been in FL(pinellas county...tampa bay are) since the 80s and can tell you that they say " this is going to be an abnormaly high season this year" EVERY year. The thing is to always be prepared. Also, take pictures of your stuff if you have insurance on it. If you have pets...you need to get them prepared as well. Get familiar with evacuation routes/evacuation zones/flood zones:) Once you have done all that...have a BIG hurricane party!

on eagles wings, ASN, RN · Jun 17, 2010

They said we would have like ten hurricanes last year and I don't think we even got one, lol. But then you'll have summers you will get 4 in a row. It all depends.

itsmejuli · Jun 17, 2010

I live in Pinellas county, in a non-evacuation zone :)

Check out this link Ready.gov: Hurricanes

Blackcat99 · Jun 17, 2010

Thanks all. I don't live near any water so I probably won't have to evacuate. Thank Goodness. I live in Alachua County and they have no pet friendly shelters here. If you bring your pet to the shelter they take your pet and put it into a different facility. I don't want to be separated from my animal family especially in any kind of emergency so I will stay home and hope for the best. I don't think I will have to evacuate. I think it is usually the homes near the water that have to evacuate right?

woahmelly · Jun 17, 2010

I think pretty much every county has an "Emergency preparedness Guide" sponsored by local businesses and a TV station or two. Head to a grocery store and grab one. They are an awesome help for a Hurricane virgin. A lot of lists and important regional numbers. :)

on eagles wings, ASN, RN · Jun 17, 2010

Usually yes, those closest to the water might need to evacuate. In Miami, that means not just the beach, but the crazy amount of canals filled with alligators and also the ridiculous flooding we get just by an hour of rain.

It really depends on a lot of factors. But you are pretty north so I don't think you need to worry much about flooding. Usually is gets bad in the Keys, Broward--South East or Central East.

And I agree with WoahMelly. In most grocery stores, they hand out pamphlets and guides to survive a hurricane around July or August.

K nurse-one-day · Jun 17, 2010

Ive lived in Jacksonville Fl my whole life and Ive only experienced a couple hurricanes my whole life, and they were not even direct hits, and never a tornado. EVERY year they say that it is suppose to be a bad hurricane year, and it never is. It really depends on what part of FL you live in. They get it a bit worse down south. They best thing you can do is just be prepared. At all the stores, they put out those hurricane preparation fliers (channel 11 news if you're in Jacksonville) that tells you everything you need to get ready. I guess if the storm was bad enough, and everything is destroyed and the power goes out, that could pose the potential for robbing a looting and things, but thats never happened to me.

woahmelly · Jun 18, 2010

Oh, also see if you can make friends with someone who has a solar water heater. When the last couple of hurricanes blundered through I was the only house on the block with warm showers for a week and half. :cool: