Preparing for Hurricane & Preparedness Checklist Florida 2022

Gather Supplies Before a Hurricane

Having the right supplies beforehand is very important. Stock up on water and nonperishable foods before the mad rush when a storm threatens your area. FEMA recommends you have enough food and water on hand for each member of your family for at least a week. When preparing for a hurricane, also consider the time right after the storm. Even when a hurricane has passed, your area may not have power and/or water for days or weeks.

Ready.org suggests the following food and water quantities at the least:

• One gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation
• Several-days supply of non-perishable foods for each person

It is also wise to ensure your medications do not get too low during hurricane season. Make sure you have enough as a precautionary measure so you do not run out.

Purchasing a generator and fuel to supply power to your home in case of an outage may also be considered.

Florida’s Hurricane Preparedness Tax Holiday

The state of Florida helps with the expense of preparing for hurricanes. For a limited time you can buy qualifying items sales tax free. 2022’s Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday starts Saturday, May 28th, 2022 and ends Friday, June 10th, 2022. Florida Department of Revenue has the following PDF available for more details. 2022 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: Frequently Asked Questions for Consumers.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Use this checklist for hurricane preparedness to check-off items you have. This will help you keep track of the items you still need.

Remember to get certain items before a storm approaches to avoid them selling out. This will help relieve anxiety once the storm has arrived. Bottled water, plywood to secure your home, and batteries sellout the fastest. Also, make sure at least one vehicle has a full tank of gas in case you need to evacuate.

Hurricane Evacuation Kit Checklist

This hurricane preparation list is for gathering your evacuation kit. Check-off the items you already have on the list. It will help your keep track of items you need to get.

Make sure your essentials are convenient to carry in a backpack. Small travel bottles of hygiene products like shampoo, toothpaste, etc. work well.

Plan an Evacuation Route

An option to finding a shelter is to evacuate by leaving the area. Evacuating ahead of the storm can be stressful so plan out your route ahead of time. Mapping where you go and how best to get there saves time and stress.

In the past, interstates become parking lots during a hurricane evacuation. So many people on the same road at the same time causes jams. It is smart to get a map and plan out alternative routes to your final destination. This will cut down on the worry of having to out run a hurricane in a traffic jam.

Take Care of Your Elderly Loved Ones

If you have an older person in your life that lives in Florida, there are a few things you can do to prepare them. Whether you live near or far away, you can ensure they have the proper resources.

1. Make sure they have a written (not an electronic) list of their important contents. Medical information, medication list, ID, birth certificate, passport, deed or lease, and insurance policies.
2. Ensure that all medicines are in excess. The American Red Cross recommend having at least a 7-day supply. Having extras of their medication also helps stress relief.
3. Secure their pets in a carrier or on a leash. Encourage your elderly to do this before the storm hits. This way they are not trying to track down a scared animal during the chaos.
4. If they live in a facility, contact the office to ask about their emergency plan for hurricane season.

Read more about Hurricane Preparation for Your Parents or Elderly Loved Ones.

Include a Pet Plan in Your Hurricane Preparations

If you are a pet owner, ensure you have food for them for at least a month. Also, prepare an emergency supply of medications. A one-month supply of medicines like flea, tick and heartworm prevention will do.

In the event of an evacuation, it may be difficult to find shelter for your animals, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research. Many cities are developing shelter plans for animals. Check if your local emergency shelter plan includes pets.

Prepare and Protect Your Home and Property

Take a look around your home and remove items that could be a projectile in hurricane force winds. For example, if you have large trees near your home, trim them back. This can help lower the chances of them falling on your home during a storm.

Major hurricanes rank Category 3 or higher. Their wind speeds are well over 100 miles per hour and do the most damage. This hurricane wind scale chart by the NOAA shows wind speeds for each category rating. Make sure you consider this when preparing for a hurricane.

If you have hurricane shutters, inspect them to make sure they are in working order. An alternative is to use plywood to protect your home’s windows and doors. Buy plywood now and store it in your garage to avoid the rush and risk of plywood running out.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for Your Home

This home hurricane preparation list is to ensure tasks get done beforehand. Check-off items you have completed on the list to help you keep track of tasks you still need done.

Preparing your home and property for a hurricane can save you a lot of money. Even the simplest tasks like clearing out your gutters and drains can be huge. This will help keep water away from your home and lower water damage. Also, consider other hurricane preparations needed for your specific situation.