Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida’s East Coast
Fellow Citizens,
As Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida’s East Coast, it’s important to remember these key hurricane preparedness tips:
Make sure you have all the supplies you need like water, batteries, canned foods, and medications for a minimum of 7 days.
Charge your smartphone. You’ll need it for updates during the storm if you lose power.
Hold a family meeting to discuss your hurricane preparedness plans. Have a plan for pets or anyone with special needs living in your home.
Call out-of-town friends and family to let them know where you plan to stay during the storm.
Make note of nearby shelters. Don’t hesitate to go to a shelter if you live in an evacuation zone or don’t feel secure in your home.
Secure your home appropriately, safeguard important documents, and document assets for insurance purposes.
Regardless of where you live in Florida you must stay aware of your surroundings and be ready to act when your sheriff and other local officials issue orders. Hurricanes are unpredictable so being prepared can make all the difference in your personal safety.
Below are additional resources on ways you can prepare and stay informed about current conditions:
Visit FloridaDisaster.org for evacuation information, crucial elements of your disaster supply kit, and the latest news on Dorian.
Visit FL511.com or Download the Florida 511 App for real-time traffic & road conditions. Download on iOS and Android.
Report price gouging by calling Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline: (866) 9NO-SCAM, or download the Florida Attorney General’s new reporting app—NO SCAM. Download on iOS and Android.
Individuals interested in volunteering after the storm are encouraged to visit VolunteerFlorida.org where they may register to become a volunteer and search for volunteer opportunities. Volunteers should affiliate with an organization before deploying. Volunteers should not self-deploy.
Florida Sheriffs Association’s Role During the Hurricane
Sheriffs play a critical role in the emergency operations in each county and at the state level while staffing the ESF-16 Desk at the stateEmergency Operations Center.
Sheriffs are also able to rely upon the Florida Sheriffs Mutual Aid Compact, which allows sheriffs to combine resources to be deployed into the affected areas that need them most.
FSA plays an essential role in assessing and coordinating the assignment of these resources which would not be possible without the support of FSA members across the state.
Finally, experience tells us many injuries can occur in the aftermath of storms. So, be especially careful as you enter areas where storm damage and or flooding has occurred and you inspect and or repair your home and property.