Keep listening to your local radio or
TV stations for information.
REMEMBER...if
you loose your cable connection, but still have electrical power,
you
can disconnect the cable, and continue to have access to your
local TV stations for
important storm related information.
(Pre-cable era of UHF/VHF channels)
If you evacuated, return home only
when authorities advise that it is safe.
Drive only if it is absolutely
necessary. Immediately following the passage of the
storm, debris
may be covering roadways making them impassible. Emergency crews
will be working to clear roadways but it may take hours or even days
to clear them all.
Avoid sightseeing. Roads may be closed for your
protection so if you encounter a
barricade, turn around and go
another way.
Do not drive in flooded areas . Avoid
weakened bridges and washed out roadways.
(click here for more
information)
Stay on firm ground. Moving water
only six inches deep can sweep you off your feet.
Standing water may
be electrically charged from downed power lines.
Beware of downed power lines. Lines
may be charged and dangerous.
Beware of snakes, insects or animals
driven to higher ground by flood waters.
Enter your home with extreme caution.
Beware of fallen objects or damaged roof and
wall sections.
Remove shutters or plywood and open
windows and doors to ventilate or dry your
home if necessary.
Check gas, water and electrical lines
and appliances for damage. Do not attempt to
repair damaged gas or
electrical lines. Call a professional.
Do not drink or prepare food with tap
water until you are certain it is not contaminated.
Avoid using candles or other open
flames indoors. Use a flashlight or other battery
powered lighting.
Use the telephone to report
emergencies only. This includes cellular phones.
Be especially cautious when using a
chainsaw to cut fallen trees.
Never connect portable generators to
your house. Use them only to run necessary
appliances and plug the
appliance into the generator.
Florida Power & Light has
information that may help you determine if power is back
in your
area.
CONSUMER
PROTECTION TIPS
Home
repairs after a disaster may be the most stressful time for a consumer.
The following tips will assist you in identifying unlicensed contractors
and con artists. Click
here for Florida's Disaster Contractor Network. This website
provides a General Public Link to a list of licensed specialized
contractors and a resource to confirm if a contractor you have hired is
licensed by the State of Florida. Or, for access to a summarized list of
rebuilding guidelines click
here for information relating to "Rebuilding After the Storm".
Be
extremely cautious of anyone coming to your home uninvited and
offering to do home repairs.
Be
alert to individuals canvassing your neighborhood in an unmarked van
or truck.
Insist
on obtaining a written estimate or contract. In fact, obtain
estimates from several companies.
Be
sure the contract or business card has an address, telephone
number
and license numbers.
Ask
for references and check them out.
Don't
be pressured into making a quick decision.
Insist
on start and completion dates in the contract, and do not pay
the
final balance until the work is completed to your satisfaction.
INSURANCE
& CLAIMS
Report
property damage to your insurance agent immediately. Your
agent
should provide you with claim forms and arrange for an insurance
adjuster to visit your property and assess the damage.
Make
emergency repairs and document them. Keep all receipts and
take
photographs of the damages, before and after emergency
repairs, to
submit with your claim.
Take
precautions if the damages require you to leave your home. Secure
your property. Remove valuable items. Lock windows and doors.
Contact
your insurance agent and leave a phone number where you can
be
reached.
Click
here for additional information.
After
the Storm - How to Cope Without....
In the
next few pages you will find helpful hints for coping without water,
sewer and electricity; what you should know about trash and debris
collection; filing insurance claims; avoiding unlicensed contractors;
and the assistance available from disaster relief agencies.
Leave
your safe room slowly and carefully. Inspect damage inside
your house only.
Begin
to clean up the most dangerous conditions such as broken glass.
Call
9-1-1 to report life-threatening emergencies only - not
damages or
power outages.
Wait
for the all clear from local authorities before you go
outside, drive,
or return home. Emergency vehicles have priority use
of roadways.
When venturing outside, avoid downed or dangling utility wires. Be
especially careful when cutting or clearing fallen trees or walking
through water puddles. They may have power lines tangled or laying
in
them.
NO
WATER....
If
you have exhausted your water supplies and have a well, you can
follow some water purification procedures until water service is
restored.
Contaminated water can contain microorganisms that cause disease.
You should purify any water of which you're uncertain. There are
many ways to purify water; none are perfect. Often the best solution
is a combination of methods.
Before purifying, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom,
or strain them through layers of clean cloth.
The
following are three purification methods, all of which kill microbes:
BOILING
is the safest way to purify water. Bring water to a rolling boil for 10
minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Of course, let
cool before drinking. Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen
back into it. Do this by pouring water back and forth between 2 clean
containers. This also will improve the taste of stored water.
CHLORINATION uses pure, unscented, liquid chlorine bleach
to kill microorganisms in water. Add 2 drops of bleach per quart of
water (4 drops if the water is cloudy), stir and let stand for 30
minutes. If the water does not smell or taste of chlorine at that point
add another 2 drops and let stand for 15 minutes.
PURIFICATION TABLETS release chlorine and iodine into the
water. They are inexpensive and are available at most sporting goods
stores and some drug stores. Follow the package directions. Usually 1
tablet is enough for 1 quart of water. Double the dose for cloudy water.
Your hot
water heater is another source of usable water.
The hot water heater should be shut off, the inlet valve closed and
drained of sediment (until water runs clear) and then refilled (opening
inlet valve again). If you use this source of water and your electricity
is off, turn off the circuit breaker so the heating elements don't burn
out when power is restored.
NO
SEWAGE OR TRASH PICK UP ....
Emergency
Restroom Facilities
A camper
or motor home with a restroom, that has a holding tank, can
be used
until the tank is full.
A
chemical port-a-john can be created:
- Use
5-gallon buckets lined with heavy-duty plastic garbage bags.
- Add
about 1/4 cup of lime or regular, unscented, liquid chlorine bleach to
the bucket as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Keep lids on firmly.
- Keep
buckets in a cool, dark place.
- DO
NOT DISPOSE OF HUMAN WASTE THROUGH YOUR REGULAR TRASH PICKUP!
Dispose of the waste by flushing it down your toilet as soon as sewer
services are restored.
- Clean
and disinfect the buckets immediately.
Your
toilet can be used by flushing until the bowl has no water. Then,
line
with heavy-duty trash bags and disinfect with chlorine bleach after
each use. When full, tie shut and remove to an outside location.
If significant sewer outages have occurred, instructions for disposal
of
human wastes will be announced. Otherwise, when the system is
operating again, dump the waste you've collected into your toilet and
flush.
NO
ELECTRICITY . . .
Don't
plug portable generators into your home's electrical outlet! This
could injure or kill neighbors or electrical crews. Place generator
outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Plug appliances directly into
the
generator.
If using
a generator, conserve fuel by limiting appliance usage to the
bare
essentials.
Safety
Tips During a Power Outage
Portable
Electric Generator Safety Tips
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