Hurricane Preparedness Information

The 2008 hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends November 30. This information has been compiled to help you prepare for hurricane season and stay informed about the status of storms as they develop.

I cannot stress the importance of designing a Hurricane Preparedness Checklist that fits your family's needs. You can never be too prepared when dealing with issues that affect the safety of your family. The biggest lesson of the 2005 hurricane season was that citizens need to have enough supplies for at least three days after a hurricane hits.

Please click here for a suggested checklist of basic items for a disaster supply kit.

After you develop a supply kit, I suggest doing the following:

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family and your home. Know your family's specific needs and your home's vulnerability to flooding and wind;
• Locate a safe room in your house or community;
• Determine escape routes from your home and establish meeting locations;
• Plan what to do with your pets;
• Have an out-of-state contact with two forms of communication (i.e. email and phone);
• Post emergency phone numbers;
• Take a first-aid class; and
• Secure your home.

During the Disaster

During the disaster, stay in a safe room and monitor the storm. Have emergency numbers on hand.

Please look below for a list of emergency phone numbers

After the Disaster

Returning to a flooded home

For disaster assistance, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Tele-registration Center : (800)621-3362 or (800)462-7585 (tty)

Storm Information Tools

• NOAA's Hurricane Information Center
• The National Hurricane Center
• Print a Hurricane Tracking Chart

Preparation Tips

• FEMA's Hurricane Ready Kit
• National Hurricane Center (NHC)- Hurricane Basics
• NHC's Family Disaster Plan

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

Federal Emergency Management Agency

1-800-621-3362

Florida Emergency Information Hotline

1-800-342-3557 (24-hours)

Emergency Housing Programs

1-800-414-1226

Public Housing Programs

1-800-955-2232

Mail Services

1-800-275-8777

Social Security Administration

1-800-772-1213

Medicare and Medicaid Issues

1-800-362-1504

Small Business Administration

Individuals: 1-800-621-3362

Business: 1-800-659-2955

State Volunteer and Donations Hotline

1-800-354-3571

Florida Power and Light

1-800-468-8243

Florida Department of Insurance

1-800-227-8676

Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline

1-800-646-0444

Banking Issues

1-877-275-3342

Agricultural and Consumer Services

1-800-435-7352

Agency for Workforce Innovation Emergency

1-800-204-2418

Finding Pets

1-800-486-2631

LEARN MORE

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• American Red Cross
• National Weather Service
• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
• 2008 FEMA information

Prepare for any potential damage by taking inventory of possessions with pictures and save as many receipts as possible. Store this in a location away from the home. Review your insurance policy to make certain you have the coverage you need.

The NAIC offers insurance tips and considerations through its public-education program, Insure U: Get Smart About Insurance, at www.InsureUonline.org. The site is also available in Spanish at www.insureuonline.org/espanol.