Disaster preparedness is always a crucial thing to know. We never know when the wrath of Mother Nature might strike again, thanks to global warming. So, whether you believe global warming is man-made or not, it should not matter, it affects us all. And so we should do something about it. Knowing what essentials to prepare and where to go to for help in case a disaster strikes is already winning half the battle. Therefore we have written this article to provide helpful tips in case of a hurricane or a strong tropical storm.
For those of us living in southwest Florida, we are very much aware of the risk that hurricane season brings. So far we have observed just a couple of storms in our direction. Hurricane season keeps running from June 1 to November 30, and right now we have had 5 tropical storms and 1 hurricane. Just today the remainders of Tropical Storm Erika have made landfall, and right now there is another storm (Fred) preparing. In the previous couple of years, our tropical storm seasons have been generally quiet. The last hurricane to hit Florida was Wilma 10 years earlier. Be that as it may, don’t give this absence of destructive hurricanes a chance to catch you off guard. It’s important to stay up to date with the latest on the hurricanes and storms forming in the ocean.
To remain vigilant, you can track any developments using the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center. This is about as precise as you can get. You will be prepared for anything that’s heading our way when you look at this site a couple of times each week.
You can likewise join to get warnings by telephone. The CodeRED ready framework will give you crisis warnings. You can join at the Naples Government site or call (239) 213-1000.
It always pays to be ready for the sake of you and your family. A catastrophe may hit hard but we can always make the necessary preparations for us to be safe at all times. So, we have created a list of useful things you can put together in a large bag that you can pick on-the-go the moment disaster strikes.
– Important documents such as you driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card, medical info, insurance (make sure to put them in a plastic bag or someplace where these papers won’t get wet)
– Canned goods (meat, beans, veggies)
– Flashlights
– Extra batteries
– AM/FM Radio (battery operated)
– First Aid Kit
– Potable Water
– Toilet essentials
These are just the basic items. We recommend that you always pack light and discard things that are not necessary in an emergency situation, remember that lives come first before property. Make sure to coordinate with the local authorities and report to the nearest emergency shelters in your area to ensure immediate safety.
An important choice you should make is whether to leave the area or stay to wait out the storm. This is an individual choice, but not something to take lightly. The Collier County Government site has a surge zone outline for the area. This will help you decide whether you are at risk for storm surge flooding or at risk for flooding from heavy rain.
