Dear Friends:

As you know, this year’s hurricane season begins on June 1, 2016.  It may be helpful to visit www.floridadisaster.org or www.nhc.noaa.gov in order to prepare for a potential hurricane in South Florida. 

I know that navigating this process can often times be very frustrating.  However, please know that I stand ready to give a lending hand wherever I can.  In an effort to assist your efforts, I have placed below a hurricane preparedness checklist, as well as important telephone numbers to help you and your family members in order to plan and prepare adequately.

In addition, my office stands ready to answer any questions that you might have, and can be reached in either Fort Lauderdale at (954) 733-2800 or Washington, D.C. at (202) 225-1313.  With warm regards, I remain,

Sincerely,

Alcee L. Hastings

Member of Congress

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

• Cash or travelers checks
• Fill up your car’s gas tank
• Emergency contact phone numbers
• Fire extinguisher
• Clean containers to store drinking water: 1 gallon per person per day
• 3-day supply of food (canned and dried goods are best)
• Manual can opener
• Hand tools: hammer, nails, ax, knife, pliers, handsaw, screwdrivers
• Electric drill with screwdriver bits to install bolts for window protection
• Unscented household bleach to purify water, 8 drops per gallon of water
• Soap and plastic container
• At least one flashlight per person with spare batteries
• Spare batteries for other needs
• Battery-operated radio, with weather band
• First-aid kit: bandages, gauze, scissors, petroleum jelly, antiseptic spray, hydrogen peroxide, antacids, aspirin, thermometer, rubbing alcohol
• Extra prescription medicine
• Copies of important documents
• Matches (wooden ones are best)
• Disposable eating utensils and plates
• Hygiene and personal care items
• Mosquito repellent
• Whistle or air horn
• Disinfectant
• Gas grill or Sterno stove with extra fuel (Do not take gas grills indoors)
• Large trash bags
• Rope or heavy cord, 100 feet
• Tarpaulin, canvas or anything to make a temporary roof repair

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

**For police, fire or medical assistance during an emergency, please call 911.**

• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• Registration: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• FEMA’s Mobile Website: http://m.fema.gov  
• FEMA’s Smartphone Application: www.fema.gov/smartphone-app  
• State of Florida Emergency Information 24-hour hotline (FEIL)
• 1-800-342-3557
• State Volunteer and Donations Hotline
• 1-800-FL-HELP1 (1-800-354-3571)
• American Red Cross
• 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669)
• 1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636)
• 1-800-733-2767
• Florida Department of Elder Affairs
• 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337)
• Florida Power and Light
• 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243, to report an outage)
• 1-800-226-3545
• Florida Department of Financial Services Hurricane Helpline
• 1-800-22-STORM (1-800-227-8676)
• Attorney General Pam Bondi's Gouging Hotline
• 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226)
• Agricultural and Consumer Services Price Gouging Hotline
• 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352)

 
Broward County Emergency Contacts

• Broward County Emergency Management Division
• (954) 831-3900
• http://www.broward.org/Emergency/Pages/Default.aspx
• Broward County Human Services (for residents at risk)
• (954) 831-3902 - Pre-registration is required for special needs shelters
• http://www.broward.org/atrisk/pages/default.aspx
• Broward County Hurricane Hotline
• (954) 831-4000
• Broward County Red Cross
• (954) 797-3800
• http://www.southfloridaredcross.org/
• Broward County Vulnerable Population Registry
• (954) 831-4000 - Available to frail, disabled, or individuals in bad health
• http://www.broward.org/registry
• Humane Society of Broward County's Pet Hurricane Hotline
• (954) 266-6871- Available to those individuals with pets that live in an evacuation area or a mobile home anywhere in Broward County
• http://humanebroward.com/

Hendry County Emergency Contacts

• Hendry County Emergency Management Department
• (863) 674-5400
• http://www.hendryfla.net/emergency_management.php
• Hendry County Red Cross
• Fort Myers: (239) 278-3401
• Naples: (239) 596-6868
• Clewiston: (863) 902-1220
• http://www.redcross.org/fl/naples
• Hendry Special Needs Shelter
• (863) 612-4700
• Must pre-register with the Emergency Management Department
• Hendry Pet Friendly Shelter
• (863) 675-6062

Palm Beach County Emergency Contacts

• Palm Beach Emergency Management Office
• (561) 712-6400
• http://www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/
• Palm Beach County Red Cross
• (561) 833-7711
• http://www.redcross.org/fl/palm-beach
• Palm Beach Special Needs Shelter
• (561) 712-6400, extension #4 (Special Needs Coordinator) - Pre-registration is required for individuals with special needs
• Pet-Friendly Shelter
• (561) 233-1200 - Pre-registration is required for individuals with pets
• Palm Tran Connection
• (561) 841-4200
• (561) 649-9848 - Hotline
• Available to residents in an evacuation zone, mobile/manufactured home, physically handicapped, or have no other means of transportation

Pre-registration is required for all shelters and recommended as soon as possible!!

American Red Cross Mass Care Hurricane Shelters

(NOTE: The following shelters are for last resort emergencies ONLY. 

Therefore, please call your local emergency management office (see below) to confirm which shelters will be open):

Prepared by the Office of Congressman Alcee L. Hastings