Hurricanes and Central Florida

Whether you are a new comer to central Florida or you have lived here all your life, there are some key things you should know about the Florida Hurricane Season. The season runs from June 1 to November 30th. Even if you are further inland away from the flood waters or where the high winds are not as strong, chances are you will lose power.

Prior to the hurricane season, you should begin stocking up on supplies. Beginning with water and non-perishable foods. A good way to start is every time you go shopping, buy a few extra items to store just incase a hurricane heads our way. If you wait until the last minute, it is fairly certain that the supplies will run out. Do not forget about your baby and pet supplies. Keep in mind you could be without power from a few hours to a few weeks. Here is a list you may want to use as a guide:

Bottled water (one gallon, per person and pet, per day is a good rule to go by)
Baby foods (non-perishable)
Diapers & baby care supplies
Dry or canned goods (non-perishable such as ready to eat fruits, meats and vegetables)
Pet foods
Medications (prescription and non)
Toiletries (toilet paper, feminine supplies, toilettes, large sturdy garbage bags for sanitation disposal)
Personal hygiene items (deodorant, toothpaste, extra toothbrushes...)
Hand sanitizer and soaps
Paper Towels
Disposable kitchen ware (utensils, plates, cups)
Extra blankets, sheets and towels
Battery operated radio and extra batteries
Car charger for cell phones
Disinfectant
Household bleach
Bug and mosquito repellent
Duct tape

You will also need a well supplied first aid kit. This should include, but not be limited to:

Sterile bandages
Thermometer
Tweezers
Scissors
Ointment
Antiseptic
Sunscreen
A few pair of gloves

In addition, you may want to have some forms of entertainment on hand especially for young children. Some helpful items are:

Coloring books and crayons
Board games
Reading material

Should your area be advised to evacuate, mandatory or otherwise, please heed these warnings. Do not wait until the last moment to evacuate your area. Roads will be congested with traffic and possibly overturned trees, power lines and other debris from high winds. Take all important paper work with you, including insurance papers. If your home is destroyed, you will be thankful that you did. Prior to leaving, you may want to board up your home's windows and doors. Again, do not wait until it is too late to purchase items needed to secure your home. These will be in high demand and short supply.

Homeowners need to look over their insurance policies. Make sure your home is covered for flood damage if you live in a flood zone. This is often times a separate insurance that you have to purchase in addition to your existing homeowners insurance. While your home is your families' most valuable asset, it can be rebuilt. But your family is irreplaceable. Follow your counties guidelines for evacuations. Do not think you can out wit mother nature. A hurricane is no match when it comes to your families' safety.