Are You Ready for Dorian and Hurricane Season in Coastal Florida?
It’s that time of the year again
Hurricane season is upon us. Well, in Florida, hurricane season begins June 1st and ends November 31st, give or take a few days, but the bulk of the storms develop in August and September. This year is supposed to be a near-normal year for hurricanes (last year was above-normal), so we don’t have too much to worry about.
Historically, hurricane damage in Manatee County is rare, if not unheard of — we are definitely on a sweet spot on the Florida gulf coast. Beginning in 1960 with Hurricane Donna, including Hurricanes Charley, Ivan, Elena, Frances in 2004, and Hurricane Irma most recently in 2017, Manatee County and Anna Maria Island have been very lucky to see minimal structural damage, some beach erosion, island flooding, and the devastated City Pier. Nevertheless, it is always good to be prepared and have a plan in place (if you are a Florida native, and you have weathered your share of storms, feel free to skip to the part where we plan an unforgettable hurricane party).
Whether you are the type of person to shelter-in-place or you prefer to evacuate, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect your home in the event of a storm.
Storm-proof your home
- Investing in storm shutters (or the more budget-friendly plywood) to cover windows.
- Reinforcing exterior doors with three hinges and a deadlock, and making sure glass doors are made with tempered glass.
- Keeping trees trimmed and removing damaged trees.
- Removing any miscellaneous objects that could be a safety hazard when subjected to intense winds (i.e. outdoor furniture and décor).
The hardest part of a hurricane is pretending to be a weather forecaster and questioning, in your best interpretation of The Clash, “Should I stay or should I go?” So, it is essential to have a hurricane plan ahead of time so you can adequately prepare in the event that you need to decide whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate.
Here are some steps in developing a hurricane plan
1. Understand the Hurricane Wind Scale, and what each category means.
A Category 1 Hurricane is defined by 74 to 95 mph winds. This can create a storm surge of 4 to 5 feet, and lead to minor damage to unanchored homes, and young shrubbery and trees.
A Category 2 Hurricane is defined by 96 to 110 mph winds. This can create a storm surge of 6 to 8 feet, and lead to roof, window, and door damage, as well as considerable damage to unanchored homes and vegetation.
A Category 3 Hurricane is defined by 111 to 130 mph winds. This can create a storm surge of 9 to 12 feet, and lead to structural damage to small buildings, or buildings with structural failures, and decimated unanchored homes. Flooding will take place a considerable distance inland.
A Category 4 Hurricane is defined by 131 to 155 mph winds. This can create a storm surge of 13 to 18 feet, and lead to extensive structural damage, such as roof failures, on small buildings. Beaches will be severely eroded, and flooding will take place a considerable distance inland.
A Category 5 Hurricane is defined by 156 mph or higher winds. This can create a storm surge of 19 feet or more, and lead to complete structural failures of many residences and industrial buildings. Mass evacuation will be required.
2. Identify the extent to which your home is structurally sound. Old homes and buildings, or those that have an aging infrastructure, and mobile or unanchored homes cannot withstand high winds. Structurally sound buildings can be prepared to weather a storm and are safe to shelter in for Category 1 and Category 2 hurricanes.
3. Determine what evacuation level your home is in and whether you live in a flood zone through Manatee County’s interactive evacuation level map and flood zone map. For those who live in these areas, hurricane procedures are different, so please follow Manatee County’s guidelines during this time.
4. Decide which Category hurricanes you are comfortable with sheltering in place and at what point you would rather evacuate. This decision is based upon personal preference unless a mandatory evacuation has been issued. With any hurricane, you will likely be subject to power outages, meaning no lights and A/C. For many, it is comfortable to shelter in place for a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane, but they would prefer to evacuate during any stronger storms.
When sheltering in place, prepare to stay inside at home for at least three days, and be sure to have these emergency items on hand:
- Gallon of water per person per day of the storm
- Supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- A flashlight for each person
- Extra batteries
- Sanitation products
- First aid kit
- Basic tool kit
- Gas
- Cash
- Backup generator (optional)
Evacuation does not necessarily need to take place outside of the area. Click here for information about local emergency shelters.
Now that all of the serious stuff is out of the way, you can plan your hurricane party, but don’t forget the essentials: lots of snacks, games, drinks (you know, the good ones), and your favorite people. I wish you all, and your homes, a safe hurricane season!
