Hurricane season is here: Prepare now
Manatee County’s Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer urges all Manatee County residents to make sure their families are prepared for hurricane season.
Hurricane season has arrived, running from June 1 to Nov. 30, with the peak in August through October.
The 2021 Hurricane Season is expected to be an above-average season, according to the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project Team, calling for 17 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. Regardless of the forecast, knowing the essentials of how to prepare for a hurricane can be a lifesaver. Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage because of storm surge, wind damage and flooding. The best time to prepare for an emergency is always before the threat is imminent.
Planning for an emergency will help you and your loved ones stay safe and connected if a disaster occurs. The three most important things to know before hurricane season are:
- your home’s evacuation zone
- where to go if you need to evacuate
- what your disaster plan is
Manatee County residents can find out this crucial information by visiting mymanatee.org/information or by calling 311.
Have a disaster plan ready
Write out the steps for your disaster plan and share them with your family and friends. You should include steps that focus on a pre-storm plan and a post-storm plan. Remember to print important documents (e.g., emergency phone numbers, insurance information) before a hurricane strikes. Power outages during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you need it.
You should also prepare a supply kit that will last longer than seven days and includes supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks and disinfectant wipes to prevent germs from spreading. [Pro tip: May 28-June 6 is Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. It’s the perfect time to stock up on a preparedness supplies, tax free.]
Know your evacuation zone and have evacuation plans
To know when to evacuate for hurricane surge flooding, you should know your evacuation zone. You can easily look up your home’s evacuation zone by searching for your address at mymanatee.org/information. If you live in a zone that has been ordered to evacuate, you should get out. I advise all residents and visitors to plan where you will shelter and have travel routes mapped ahead of time.
As Manatee County continues to follow CDC guidelines, we currently have reduced capacity in our shelters, so it is even more important to have alternative plans to shelter somewhere else. Please keep in mind that evacuating and seeking a shelter will look very different in the COVID-19 era. Local shelters should be a last resort if you need to evacuate.
If you find yourself in an area that’s under evacuation orders, it’s best to stay with a friend or family member in an area outside of the evacuation area. Hotels out of the evacuation area are another option. Shelters provide a safe structure with limited resources. That means no beds, no cots, no privacy, no blankets, and no showers.
In addition, Manatee County offers a special needs registry, which is designed to assist residents of Manatee County who will require transportation or sheltering assistance when the citizen is notified to evacuate their residence because of a storm. Residents can also register online or by calling 311.
Sign up for emergency notifications
I encourage all residents to sign up for Alert Manatee to receive emergency updates such as evacuation notices, weather warnings and hazardous traffic or road conditions. You can opt to receive notifications by phone call, text or email. Additionally, stay tuned to the radio and TV for weather updates, emergency instructions, or even direct evacuation orders.
Visit the County’s website at www.mymanatee.org/ManateeReady for readiness tips and be sure to follow our social media accounts for news straight from County officials. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @MCGPublicSafety.
Remember to have a disaster plan, know when to and where to evacuate, and consider volunteering when the need arises. “It only takes one.”
Want to learn more?
Attend a Virtual Town Hall on hurricane preparedness to receive important information from county commissioners and public safety officials and participate in a Q&A. Visit www.mymanatee.org/townhall for more information.
