Hurricane season starts June 1 and typically peaks in early September, according to federal data. Time to get supplies ready and the home ready. I took most of this info from the Bay News 9 website.
https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/weather/2024/05/17/noaa-2024-atlantic-hurricane-season-outlook
The forecast calls for 23 named storms this season. Of those 23 storms, 11 are expected to become hurricanes and five are expected to reach major hurricane strength with winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
Five things about hurricanes you may not know…
What You Need To Know
- Winds are not the deadliest part of a hurricane
- Size doesn’t mean all when it comes to a hurricane
- The right-front quadrant of a hurricane is often the strongest
What You Need To Know
- NOAA predicts above normal activity this hurricane season
- Atlantic sea surface temperatures are experiencing record warmth
- La Niña conditions are expected during the peak of hurricane season
NOAA’s outlook predicts an 85% chance of an above normal season, a 10% chance of a near normal season and a 5% chance of a below normal season.
NOAA forecasts a likely range of 17 to 25 named storms, of which 8 to 13 could become hurricanes, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes, which are a Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.
“This is the highest number of named storms NOAA has ever issued in its May forecast,” says Dr. Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., administrator, NOAA.
Emergency officials suggest starting early by taking inventory of what you have and what you need for the coming season. Households should have at least seven days’ worth of food and water per family member, including pets. You should also keep at least 30 days of prescription medication on hand.
First aid kits, dust masks and portable power banks are also highly suggested, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s checklist.
Florida will have two sales tax holidays in 2024 that are exempt from sales tax for disaster preparedness items: June 1–14 and August 24–September 6. On those days, household goods including pet food, household cleaners and batteries will be exempt from sales tax.
When a storm approaches, store shelves empty out. So, it’s best to buy everything you’ll need — and want — to have on hand way ahead of time. You don’t want to end up with the leftovers after the canned food aisle has been combed though.
Here’s a list of all the basics:
Supply Kit Checklist
- Flashlights and extra bulbs
- Battery-operated radio
- Battery-operated lanterns
- Extra batteries (various sizes)
- Wind-up or battery-powered clock
- Matches
- First aid kit
- Duct tape
- Rain gear
- Plastic garbage bags
- Fire extinguisher
- Scissors
- Can opener
- Clean clothes
- Extra blankets and pillows
- Heavy gloves
- Food
- Bottled water (one gallon/person/day)
- Two coolers (one for drinks, one for food)
- Canned foods
- Bottled juice
- Dry pet food
Checklist for Securing Your Home
- Remove outdoor items
- Trim dead branches from trees
- Install shutters or board up windows
- Fill gas tanks and extra containers
- Withdraw extra cash
- Move furniture away from windows
- Store important documents and valuables in waterproof containers
CITRUS Evacuation Zones:
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/citrus/divisions/bureau%20support%20operations/EM/evacuation-zones.pdf
Service Location
3549 Saunders Way
Lecanto, FL 34461
United States
352.746.6555
URL
https://www.sheriffcitrus.org/how_do_i/contact_us/emergency_management_phone_nu…
This site offers a list of shelters during emergency situations. It is for the residents of Citrus County. Anyone who is considered special needs and will need to be transported to a shelter can register ahead of time. Please see the website for more information.
For this blog, I re-include a repost from previous blog and Facebook.
Facebook post: Elaborate details:
1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still used for dialing 911. Charge external battery back ups.
2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill with water and store in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize.
3. Fill every tub and sink with water. Cover sinks with Saran Wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill washing machine and leave lid up to store water.
4. Fill old empty water bottles and other containers with water and keep near sinks for washing hands.
5. Fill every Tupperware with water and store in freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a back up water supply.
6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with Saran Wrap. Store as many as possible in fridge. The rest you can store on the counter and use first before any water bottles are opened. Ice is impossible to find after the storm.
7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter.
8. Cook any meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for first day without power.
9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits and avoid salty foods that make you dehydrated.
10. Wash all dirty clothes and bed sheets. Anything dirty will smell without the A/C, you may need the items, and with no A/C, you’ll be sweating a lot. You’re going to want clean sheets.
11. Toss out any expiring food, clean cat litter boxes, empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor when the A/C is off. If you don’t have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a dumpster.
12. Bring in any yard decor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Bring in patio furniture and grills.
13. Clean your environment so you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area.
14. Scrub all bathrooms so you are starting with a clean odor free environment. Store water filled trash cans next to each toilet for flushing.
15. Place everything you own that is important and necessary in a backpack or small file box that is easy to grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves for important documents.
16. Make sure you have cash on hand.
17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for pets.
18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.
19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee, and other stuff besides just grilling meat. Get an extra, if possible.
20. Drop your A/C in advance and lower temperatures in your fridges.
21. Gather all candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items and keep them accessible.
22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy Clorox Wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for 10 days, you’ll have to live in the mess you started with.
23. Pick your emergency safe place such as a closet under the stairs. Store the items you’ll need in that location for the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan for when the power is out.
24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit.
25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don’t flush them. It’s not the time to risk clogging your toilet!
26. Run your dishwasher, don’t risk having dirty smelly dishes and you need every container for water! Remember you’ll need clean water for brushing your teeth, washing yourself, and cleaning your hands.
27. Put a small suitcase in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you don’t evacuate! You don’t need to store all water in the house. Remember to pack for pets as well.
28. Check on all family members, set up emergency back up plans, and check on elderly neighbors.
29. Remember, pets are family too. Take them with you!
30. Before the storm, unplug all electronics. There will be power surges during and after the storm.
31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or your car when you run out.
If you can, take a video of your house and contents….walk room to room–open cabinets/drawers and closets. This will help if you need to make a claim later. It will show proof of items and help you list all the items (help your memory, so you don’t forget anything)…I highly recommend!!!
I also heard you should freeze a cup of water, place a coin on top after it is frozen…keep this in your freezer to help you gauge the temperature if the power goes out. If the coin stays on top, the food is staying frozen. If the coin falls into the water, the freezer thawed out and most food will likely need to be thrown away. This is super helpful is you have to leave and come back, as it may appear everything is still frozen, but if the coin is in the cup–you will know!
Finally, anything that you want to try and preserve, but you can’t take with you—place it in a plastic bin and put in your dishwasher, lock the door—this should make it water tight in case of any water intrusion into your home. But of course, take all the important/irreplaceable items you can!!
Stay Safe everyone!
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