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HIGHLANDS COUNTY
DIVISION OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
6850
West George Blvd.
Sebring,
FL 33875
863-385-1112
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GENERAL PREPAREDNESS
The most
important step that you can take to increase your preparedness for any disaster
is to prepare a Disaster Plan. This means that you and all the members of
your household should address the topics listed below. Once all of the
components are dealt with, you have a Disaster Plan. It is very important
that everyone in your home, including children, understand your plan.
Basic Research
Investigate
the types of hazards present in your community. Contact your local Office
of Emergency Management for this information. If you live in Highlands County, these hazards include
hurricanes, floods, high winds, tornadoes, wildfires, acts
of terrorism, hazardous materials disasters, and others.
Cash
Have extra cash on
hand. ATMs may be down and stores may not accept credit cards for some
time after an emergency.
Disaster Supply Kit
Preparing
your disaster supply kit now will make your life much easier when an emergency,
any emergency, occurs. You want to plan on supplies for 3-14 days and
keep your supplies in a back-pack, duffel bag, suitcase, or other easy to carry
storage device. Here’s what you’ll need:
- WATER!! This is a
top priority. Store at least one gallon per person per day.
Remember, in addition to drinking, you’ll need to brush your teeth, wash
your hands, and perform other hygiene activities—and it can get pretty hot
in Florida during hurricane months—so make sure you store enough water.
- Canned food—meats,
soups, juices, fruits, vegetables, etc.
- Boxed drinks or other
foods
- Powdered drinks, instant
coffee and tea
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Crackers, cookies, &
candy
- Energy and granola bars
- Bread in moisture proof
containers
- Can opener (manual, NOT
electric)
- Battery
powered flashlights
- Battery
powered radio
- Extra batteries
- Tools
- Important papers,
including proof of residence (in water tight containers).
- Complete change of
clothing.
- Entertainment items,
especially if you have children.
- Pet supplies (remember
water, food, and medicine for your pets too!)
- Duct tape and Scissors
- Plastic sheeting
- A-B-C rated fire
extinguisher
- Cooking supplies
- Personal hygiene items
- Bedding
- Stationery items (pens,
markers, paper)
- Baby items
First Aid Kit:
- First Aid Manual
- Sterile bandages in
assorted sizes
- Antiseptics, such as
hand cleaners
- Antibiotic ointment,
products similar to Neosporin
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Needle
- Latex gloves
- Sterile gauze pads
- Roller bandages,
assorted sizes
- Safety Pins
- Triangular bandages
- Thermometer
- Sunscreen
- Hypoallergenic adhesive
tape
- Non-prescription pain
relievers (such as ibuprofin or
acetaminophen—Advil or Tylenol)
- Non-prescription
antihistamine (such as diphenhyramine)
- Prescription medicines
- Eye glasses or contact
lenses. If you use contact lenses, remember that they’re not much
use without the solution and the storage case.
Insurance
Review your insurance policies, make sure that you
understand them, and make sure that you have sufficient coverage. You
should do this now and not wait until the disaster is imminent—you may not be
able to make changes at that time. Some specifics:
- Windstorm: Make
sure that your policy covers windstorms. Some home owners and renters
policies may not.
- Flood Insurance: The
National Flood Insurance Program is the only underwriter for flood damage
to real property or personal effects. You will need to have a separate
flood insurance policy written in addition to your homeowners or renters
policy. Be advised that there is a 30 day waiting period to get flood
insurance, so you’ll have to secure the policy in advance of the hurricane
season. Your insurance carrier can do this for you, or you can call the
National Flood Insurance Program directly at 800-638-6620.
- Replacement
Coverage: As soon as you purchase something and take it
home it begins to depreciate including appliances, computers, sound
equipment, and other major purchases. When you make an
insurance claim, your adjuster will count the depreciation on the item and
you may not get the amount you need to replace the item completely.
Make sure that your personal belongings have replacement coverage that
will take a market price for the item in order to replace it in full.
- Deductibles: Review
your policy for deductibles, and other exclusions
so you know what you can expect to have to pay for out of pocket.
Some Federal disaster loan programs may be available to cover those
deductibles.
- Temporary Living
Expenses: Renters and homeowners should take out policies
that will provide them funds for temporary living expenses (or loss of
use), which you may need if your residence becomes inhabitable.
·
Before
and After Photos: Take photos of your residence both inside and
out. Make sure you get clear photos of each room of the house that show
the appliances and furniture in each. Take photos of your personal
belongings that may require special insurance coverage. Make two copies
of the pictures, one for you and one for the insurance adjuster. Once the
storm has passed, take the same series of pictures. Click here for some
guidance on a home inventory.
Communications Plan
- Talk with your employer
and your children’s school or day care facility about their disaster
plans.
- Identify two different
places for your family to meet in case you are separated during an
emergency. One should be right outside of your house, like a tree,
and the other should be outside of your immediate neighborhood, such as a
store or place of worship.
- Local
telephone lines may be down or overwhelmed, so choose a contact who lives out of the area for you to call and report
that you are OK. Out of area friends and relatives should also call
this person to find out how you are doing.
Evacuation Plan
- If you need help with
your day-to-day activities, call Highlands County Emergency Management or
the Health Department to apply for the special needs registry. It is
very important that you register now and not wait until a disaster is
imminent.
- Identify two different
escape routes out of each room of your house. Make sure everyone,
including children, is familiar with these routes.
- Identify your evacuation
route. Look at a map and identify
two different routes out of your neighborhood. For evacuation routes out of the county,
see “Evacuation Routes” on our web page.
- Know where you are
going. Make arrangements ahead of time with your family or friends
who live out of the area. As a last resort, you may also choose to
go to an General Shelter.
- Make sure that your
Disaster Kit has already been assembled and don’t forget to bring it with
you. See “What to bring to a
shelter” on our web page.
- Remember that most
hotels and evacuation shelters do not permit pets (except for pets
assisting people with special needs, such as seeing eye
dogs), so be sure to have a place to where your pets can evacuate as
well. See Pets and shelters on our
web page.
- If you evacuate, be
ready to leave as soon as the evacuation order is given. If you wait
too long, not only are you putting yourself and your family at risk, but
you are more likely to encounter traffic and other obstructions.