From City of Tallahassee:
What to Do Before and After the Storm
Before the Storm
An emergency plan is essential to overall disaster preparedness. Knowing what to do in advance can make a huge impact on the safety of your family and the protection of your property. Here are a few tips you can use before the storm:
Tasks to Complete as Soon as Possible
Collect copies of important papers like the deed to your home, insurance paperwork, financial information, etc. Put them together in a waterproof bag.
Review your property/home insurance coverage and keep updated photos and/or a video inventory of your personal belongings
Make a list of important phone numbers, such as your insurance company, doctor and family contacts. Store them in your cell phone and print a hard copy to keep in the waterproof bag with your other important papers.
Identify your evacuation routes. Have an alternate route planned in case the first option is not navigable
Identify a safe place in your home (interior room on the lowest floor) to ride out a storm and make sure everyone knows the location
Build a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications non-perishable food and copies of your critical information . Using an easily portable bucket or bag for your kit is best in case you need to evacuate
Pre-identify a meeting place in case your family is separated when the hurricane hits (consider your church or a local library).. Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number.
Trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.
Purchase a portable generator or install a permanent generator for use during power outages.
The City offers low -interest loans to help with the purchase of generators. Call 891-4968 or visit
Talgov.com for more information.
Tasks to Complete 3-5 Days Before a Storm
Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
Check rain gutters and downspouts to ensure they are clean and properly affixed to your house to prevent water damage to your property.
Cover your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows.
A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking
After the Storm
Knowing what to do after a storm will help protect your property and keep your loved ones safe and secure . Before going outside, make sure local officials have declared that it’s safe to go outdoors.
After it has been confirmed safe to go outdoors, you can begin to assess any potential damage to your home and property. Here are some tips to follow after the storm is over:
Stay informed by visiting Talgov.com, following @COTNews on social media, listening to 88.9 WFSU-FM radio and watching the news on TV (local or cable).
Make a list of your damaged property, including a description of the item, name of the manufacturer, brand name and age, as well as the place and date of purchase, if known.
Take pictures and video of the damage if possible. Don’t throw away damaged items until your insurance adjuster has seen them.
Call your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report home or property damage and follow up with a written claim to protect your rights. If you think your home might be unsafe due to storm damage, discuss finding temporary accommodations with your agent
Keep accurate records of your expenses and save bills and receipts from temporary repairs.
(Avoid making permanent repairs until your Claims professional has reviewed the damage.)
Roads may be closed for your protection. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, turn around and go another way
Avoid downed power lines. Never touch anything that’s in contact with power lines, including water that may be near the downed power lines.
Be cautious of hazards that are a product of the storm, such as floodwaters, broken objects, damaged tree limbs or other potentially compromised structures.
How to Avoid Contractor Fraud
Natural disasters can bring out the best in people, as neighbors work together to help each other.
Unfortunately, the aftermath of a disaster can also attract fraudulent contractors.
Here are some tips to help you avoid repair fraud.
Before hiring someone, be suspicious of contractors who:
- Offer to give you a low price because they have materials left over from a previous job.
- Provide estimates that are extremely high or low in comparison to other offers.
- Give an estimate in one lump sum and do not address the cost of individual items and tasks.
- Ask for 10% or more of the estimate price upfront.
- Insist on submitting insurance claims on your behalf.
- Ask you to endorse insurance checks to them.
- Don’t have a fixed address for their business or don’t usually operate in your area.
- Cannot provide references.
To protect yourself from contractor fraud always remember to:
- Ask to see proof of insurance and licensing.
- Use well-known local contractors
- Carefully review the contract and every document that requires a signature
- Have your claims adjuster inspect damage and contracts before signing
- Pay by check or credit card
- Ask specifically whether you will be personally responsible for making repair payments or if the insurance company will make the payments directly
To report suspicious activity, contact the
Florida Office of the Attorney General at 1-866-966-7226.
What to Keep and What to Throw Away
The aftermath of power outages and flooding during a disaster can quickly destroy food and medication. Knowing what items to keep and what items to throw away is essential to preventing illness from unsafe food and water.
Here are some general guidelines:
Foods that have been frozen and still contain ice crystals can be refrozen or cooked.
Throw away any food or medication that may have been touched by flood water, which contains contaminants that may cause illness.
Throw away: Perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages such as meat, fish, eggs, milk and leftovers should be thrown out.
The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
Food with unusual odor, color, or texture
Cans or food containers that are bulging, open or dented.
If the water utility has issued boil water notices for your area, do not use water for drinking, cooking or personal hygiene unless it is bottled, boiled or treated.
Never taste food to see if it is safe for consumption, even if it looks, smells and tastes normal.
When dealing with food safety, the rule of thumb is “when in doubt, throw it out”
When sanitizing items that touch food, remember to:
Wash with soap and clean water
Rinse with clean water
Sanitize by dipping for one minute in a solution of one cup of chlorine bleach in five gallons of clean water
Allow to air dry
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Important Local Organization Contacts
City of Tallahassee Customer Service………850-891-4968
City of Tallahassee Neighborhood Affairs………….850-891-8726
Leon County Government…….850-606-3700
Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross……..850-878-6080
Florida Division of Emergency Management……850-413-9969
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)…….800-621-3362
Ready.Gov……..800-BE-READY
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation….850-487-1395
AARP Fraud Watch Network Hotline (to receive Watchdog Alerts) ……..1-877-908-3360
2-1-1 Big Bend (for Emergency Info 24/7)……..2-1-1 or 850-617-6333
WFSU 88.9 FM– Tallahassee’s designated station during an emergency
www.FLGetAPlan.com – Provides information to assist with building individual or family emergency plans
PREPAREDNESS KIT
It’s recommended that families have food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantities to last at least 72 hours. Something else to consider is that electric, gas, water, sewer and telephone service may be temporarily cut off. Your preparedness kit should contain items to help you manage during these potential outages.
Suggested Preparedness Supplies List
- Batteries–Be sure to keep these inside in a cool, dry place rather than in the garage.
- Cash–It works even if your debit card doesn’t.
- Duct Tape–This heavy-duty tape will likely come in handy.
- Dust Mask–Storms can kick up particles in the air that can harm your lungs.
- First Aid Kit–A first aid kit will help you to attend to minor injuries like scrapes or sprains.
- Flashlight– The electricity may go out. A flashlight will help you see in the dark and is safer than using candles.
- Games and Toys–If you have children, games and toys that don’t depend on electricity will help keepthem occupied.
- Hygiene Products–Staying clean is important, especially if utility services are interrupted. Moist towelettes, hand cleansers, soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste are essential. Also, stock special items like diapers and feminine hygiene products, if needed.
- Keys for Your Home and Car– A spare set of keys will ensure you can quickly access your home or vehicle during an emergency.
- Large Plastic Trash Bags–Large plastic trash bags have multiple uses. Use as a makeshift poncho. Set your sleeping bag on them to stay dry. You could even put your dirty clothes and food waste in them.
- Local Map–If your phone and GPS batteries are low, you may have to find your way using an old-fashioned printed map.
- Medications –If you rely on medication, ensure you have it and your doctor’s information in your kit.
- Multipurpose Pocket Knife–It has so many uses! Cut rope, open canned food and so much more.
- Non-perishable Food –Canned food items are the best to have on hand.
- Pet Supplies–Remember to pack items your pet may need, like ID tags, food, toys and medication
- Photos of Family Members and Pets–If you’re separated, having pictures to turn over to authorities may help with reunification.
- Poncho–Hurricanes include rain and wind. You want to stay dry.
- Portable Phone Charger–In the event of a power outage, this will extend the life of your phone, keeping you connected to loved ones and vital information.
- Radio with Extra Batteries–A radio that relies on batteries is a must! The electricity may be out, and you’ll need to stay up to date on recovery efforts.
- Rope–This will help tie down a tarp.
- Tarp – Like trash bags, this is a multi-use item. Put it on your roof if it’s damaged. Put it under your sleeping bag to stay dry. Collect rain water to flush toilets.
- Towel –An all-around good item to have.
- Water–You need at least one gallon per person and per pet per day in unbreakable containers for drinking. Stock more for nursing mothers, mixing formula, etc. Include extra containers of water to be used for cooking, flushing toilets and bathing.
- Waterproof Bag with Family Documents –A copy of family documents, like your driver’s license, social security card and insurance information, in a waterproof bag for safe keeping is a must.
- Whistle– A whistle will help get the attention of rescue workers, if they are nearby.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Listed below are those sources, along with links to additional webpages that provide information about emergency preparedness
City of Tallahassee Neighborhood PREP.– Talgov.com/PREP
General information about local preparedness and public safety.
Talgov.com/Emergency
American Red Cross
How to Prepare for Emergencies.
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies
Get a Kit (Emergency Preparedness).
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/be-red-cross-ready/get-a-kit
AARP
Hurricane Recovery: Do Not Sign Over “Assignment Benefits”.
Hurricane Recovery: Do Not Sign Over ‘Assignment of Benefits’
You Lost Power
in the Storm, Do you Have to Throw Out All Your Food?
https://states.aarp.org/?s=after+the+storm
CDC
Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Emergency.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.html
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Plan and Prepare. https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/FEMA
Recovering from the Storms Within.
https://www.fema.gov/blog/2017-05-11/recovering-storms-within
Hurricane safety tips: Learn what to do before, during and after a hurricane
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4068/updates/hurricane-safety-tips-learn-what-do-during-and-after-hurricane
FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes)
Ready, Set Plan!
http://www.flash.org/hurricanestrong/