Florida Hurricane Preparation Tips

If you live on the Florida coastline or you are planning on visiting this summer, there are lots of things to do and plenty of entertainment during the summer months. If you are a local resident you know that this is also the time of year for hurricanes and unpredictable storms. Hurricane season runs from June1 - November 1 and the storms seem to get worse every year.

In the past 10 years, Florida has seen some alarming and deadly storms - Dennis, Charlie and Francis all category 4 hurricanes to name a few of the more than 40 named storms that have hit Florida. In the past 5 years, hurricanes have caused billions of dollars worth of damage to the coastline and property. The strength of hurricanes has gotten so intense and the large storms so frquent that insurance companies that used to go back 100 years to assimilate the cost storms hitting in an area and the replacement value now only need to go back 10 years to get their information! Some companies even refuse to insure homeowners in Florida for this reason.

So for those who will find themselves in the state for any length of time during the Hurricane season, here are some tips that will prove very helpful. And, by the way, it doesn't matter where you are, whether inland or on the coast, because even a Category 3 hurricane will affect out-reaching areas, and it is better to be prepared than to be caught by surprise. So here are 10 ways to be one jump ahead of a Hurricane:

1. When going to the beach ALWAYS ask the lifeguard about rip currents conditions for that day, and then swim in view of the lifeguard. These currents are more frequent when storms are in the forecast, even though they occur on a fair day just as often. Rip currents are powerful streams of water which run OUT to sea and they will drag you along with them. (swim parallel to the coast if caught in one; don't try to fight it!) More drownings occur from riptides on Daytona Beach, than any other way!

2. Stay on top of weather reports so you know what's happening in your area.

3. Keep at least 3 days of water on hand, for each person and for an additional person, in case you wind up helping others.

4. Have a stash of non-perishable foods in the cupboard. You have no way of knowing if there will be electricity when the storm hits.

5. DO NOT TAPE WINDOWS! This used to be thought as safe, but recent studies have shown that a large pane of glass taped together can cause lethal injuries to in high winds. The 1st fatality in Hurricane Charlie was a man hit by a pane of taped glass. Plastic film on glass will have the same effect,
so NO FILM either!

6. If there is an evacuation called, then YOU MUST GO INLAND or to a designated shelter. You will need to have all your important papers in one waterproof container for easy moving. Any Wal-Mart or Target store will have a lockable filing box at a reasonable price.

7. Plan what pictures and favorite keepsakes you would want to take with you ahead of time. Knowing this will save valuable time in the event of evacuation.

8. Try to keep gas in your vehicles during these months in case you would have to leave quickly. Keep an amount of money aside to get you though the storm, or at least to a safe place. When electricity goes out, so does ATM machines and gas pumps.

9. If you are a tourist, at first warning pack up and move to higher grounds and cities. Don't put yourself in harms way unnecessarily; IT'S NOT WORTH IT!

10. Use your common sense. Things out of the ordinary will happen and you want to remain calm. Keep your family safe! DON'T be a DEAD HERO - Stay indoors until weather has lifted and authorities have cleared your area. Fallen tree limbs and electrical wires can be extremely dangerous until they are attended to.

Central Florida is a Fun place to live and vacation. Just remember these are some common sense rules for Hurricane Preparedness.