Steps to Prepare for a Hurricane in Florida

Emergency Plan for Jacksonville, Florida During Hurricane Season First and foremost, when preparing for a hurricane, it is essential that a community have an effective communications plan for before, after, and during the storm. The government should have a plan regarding how to disseminate information to the public, including if there is a loss of power. The public should likewise be prepared beforehand to communicate with family members and work colleagues as well as emergency personnel.

This may include being prepared for emergency texts and emails sent by the local government, being aware of the best websites and news channels to seek out for information, and having battery-powered radios in case of a total outage of both power and cellular service. Given that the conditions of a hurricane are always changing, families should be encouraged to have adequate amounts of food and water on hand, batteries for flashlights, and any medications or other supplies they may be in need of regularly.

Government and emergency personnel should also have plans about what to do if they may need to stay overnight while providing assistance. FEMA recommends at "least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days" along with a three-day supple of nonperishable food as the bare minimum needed for any person (How to prepare for a hurricane, 2016, p. 8). Blankets and warm clothing should also be at hand in case of a power outage if the temperature is likely to become cold at night.

In the event of an extreme weather situation, evacuation routes should be established and all families should be encouraged to have a plan to take the necessary steps to leave as soon as possible. Before the hurricane hits, the community should be informed of the county's official evacuation route and any additional precautions which may need to be shouldered to evacuate the elderly, pets, or individuals with severe health conditions.

Hospitals should have plans in place for dealing with any injuries likely to occur or the evacuation of patients during the event. If necessary, severely ill patients may need to be prophylactically evacuated although hospitals should have the capability to run on generator power. Some areas prone to flooding or damage by high winds may need to be evacuated before the hurricane hits. Areas near open water should be obstructed to discourage thrill-seekers coming to watch the storm.

All homes and businesses should be warned to secure any outdoor furniture or other outdoor equipment that could potentially become a missile in terms of high winds. Important documents and valuable possessions should be stored in sealed, waterproof containers, or, if kept electronically, a backup drive with copies should be kept in a similarly protected location (How to prepare for a hurricane, 2016, p .8).

Remind the public about the necessity of reviewing homeowner's or other relevant insurance policies to see what is and is not covered can make recovering from the disaster far easier. It is also important to keep personal identification, including health insurance cards, on one's person at all times in the event of a disaster. The public should be briefed regarding sanitation and the need to clean and disinfect any flooded areas within the home or elsewhere.

If the water supply is affected, the public should be regularly informed through various channels.