National Hurricane Survival Initiative

Saving Lives & Minimizing Damage -- Is your community prepared?

Floridians’ concerns about coming hurricane season spike, amid overlapping COVID-19 pandemic ongoing issues

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Floridians cite strain on first responders, economic hits, and finding shelter

A majority of Floridians are more concerned than usual about the coming 2020 hurricane season, given the simultaneous continuing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly all Floridians expressed at least one significant concern – from the strain on first responders and more business closures to damaging hits on the economy, according to a new survey conducted by the statewide hurricane safety initiative, Get Ready, Florida!

“COVID-19 has created a very real, sustained sense of anxiety, and that’s even before the wild card of a major hurricane,” said Jay Neal, President and CEO of the FAIR Foundation and a Get Ready, Florida! partner. “Add hurricane season to the uncertainty of the pandemic and you introduce another set of serious issues to worry about.”

More than half of Floridians surveyed (51%) feel more concerned about hurricanes this year than in other years due to their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few months, with the rest feeling no different at all. More than 9 in 10 (91%) said they had at least one concern regarding the upcoming hurricane season, including:

  • More strains on first responders (62%)
    • Business closures or more hits to the economy (58%)
    • Fewer shelters open due to social distancing (43%)
    • Uncertainty about where it would be safe to evacuate to (39%)
    • Ability to care for elderly or special needs relatives (35%)
    • Ability to afford supplies (30%)

That uncertainty about where and how to evacuate or find shelter may aggravate an existing problem – the tendency of many Floridians to ignore evacuation recommendations or wait until the last minute. According to the survey, nearly half (47%) of Floridians report that they have stayed where they live through a storm despite recommendations to evacuate.

“Social distancing will change the way we shelter people in a hurricane, without a doubt,” said Craig Fugate, former administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “For instance, everyone should add masks to their family hurricane kit. But if you’re told to evacuate, you still need to heed those orders and get out to a safer place.”

The economic strain of COVID-19 may also leave some Floridians less prepared for hurricane season. In addition to the 30% who worry about their ability to afford supplies, about 25% say they have put off needed home repairs due to COVID-19.

Many Floridians continue to lack essential safety knowledge needed for hurricane season. For instance, when asked where it’s safe to use a generator, 27% cite an unsafe spot, including a balcony or garage.

And while nearly a quarter of Floridians (23%) feel more prepared for hurricane season, possibly because they’ve become accustomed to spending more time at home, experts say it is important that all Floridians stock up on the basics they need to weather a storm.

“It’s important to plan ahead and ensure you have an adequate supply of tap and/or bottled water when hurricanes emerge as a potential threat, said Kent Koptiuch, natural resource manager for Nestlé Waters North America. “Emergency managers now recommend households have enough food and water for seven days, including one gallon of water per person per day.”

Get Ready, Florida! is an annual statewide public education initiative that has been working to educate Floridians about hurricane preparedness and safety for more than 20 years. The survey of 1,500 Florida voters was conducted by Sachs Media Group on May 21-22, 2020, with a margin of error +/- 2.2% at the 95% confidence level. To see the full survey results or for more information about hurricane preparedness, visit hurricanesafety.org.

Hurricane 2019: Get your documents and your data ready for a storm

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As hurricane season begins, make an effort to implement a “set it and forget it” approach by preparing your physical and digital property ahead of time.

Missing Roof and Walls of Apartment on Gulf Coast in the Aftermath of Hurricane Michael
Missing Roof and Walls of Apartment on Gulf Coast in the Aftermath of Hurricane Michael

Preparing your property, papers and photos for a hurricane should start long before an approaching storm’s so-called “cone of uncertainty” falls upon the Tampa Bay area.

Implement a “set it and forget it” approach to this storm season by preparing your property — your home, your business and your most important documents and photos — ahead of time.

You may not have time to do all that as a storm approaches and handle other critical tasks, such as assembling food and water supplies. The following are some basic rules, and specific information that can be found online using resources such as the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (www.flash.org) or the National Hurricane Survival Initiative (hurricanesafety.org.)

Protect your home

Seal it: Make sure all of your windows and doors are tightly sealed to keep wind and water out. This will help keep your possessions safe. But if you’ve been taping your windows all this time, experts say, that’s not doing much to protect them. Skip this step in favor of installing heavy hurricane shutters or boarding up windows with plywood that is at least five-eighths of an inch thick. Google the best way to install plywood for your particular house. If you do lose a window, you’ll need more plywood and some tarps to keep it covered until it’s fixed.

Fix your roof: Got a leak? It’s going to get worse. If you’re having issues with your roof, have it inspected to ensure it will not let water into your home and that there are no serious structural issues before a storm arrives. If something goes wrong, you’re going to need even more plastic tarps on hand to keep the roof covered until it gets fixed.

Disarmament: Remove anything from your yard that strong wind gusts could turn into an airborne weapon. That includes lawn decorations, furniture, planters and anything that isn’t tied or bolted down.

Reinforcements: The most vulnerable part of your home might be the garage door, depending on how old it is. A garage door that fails during the storm will leave the house and roof far more vulnerable to wind and rain damage than a broken window. Kits and products for bracing and reinforcing garage doors are sold at home improvement stores.

Protect your business

All of the advice for your home goes for your business, too. Check the structure’s roof, board up windows, bring everything inside and make any necessary repairs.

Needs a trim: Cut away any branches from nearby trees that may impact your business’ office during a hurricane. That goes for any unhealthy or rotting trees, too.

Power down: Turn off utilities, such as electricity, before a storm hits to help prevent surges after power is restored. Don’t forget about large appliances, such as the break room fridge (clean it out before you turn the power off, too; in fact, just clean it out).

Information security: Crucial documents that have not been backed up on hard drives and the cloud should be placed in waterproof containers. If the building is in an endangered area, or you’ll need to access them right after a storm, consider moving them to a safer, more accessible location.

Road trip: Make sure you have the equipment, documents, information and passwords you may need to run the business remotely after a storm.

Protect your documents, photos

Make a checklist of all your important documents and photos and consider storing physical copies in another location.

One word, plastics: Store your important documents and photos in a waterproof container or bag to protect them from being ruined by rain or flooding. It could be a waterproof lockbox or just a binder with plastic sleeves.

Card game: Don’t forget to gather, organize and store important items such as your driver’s license, passport, insurance information, medical documents, financial records, checkbooks, birth certificates and Social Security cards. You’ll want to bring cash along, too, because ATMs and credit cards may not function after a storm.

Portability: If you have to evacuate, make sure to take physical and digital (or both) copies of important documents, photos and records that you cannot do without, just in case you’re cut off from home for a period of time.

Self-preservation: The same steps should be taken to protect irreplaceable family photos. But it’s 2019, are you on the cloud yet? Digital photos and scanned PDF of documents can be stored on hard drives and using cloud services such as Apple’s iCloud, DropBox, Google Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive, or Amazon Cloud Drive. Some services offer free storage space, so why not save multiple copies of your stuff?

Contact Malena Carollo at [email protected] or (727) 892-2249. Follow @malenacarollo.

Mythbusters: Flooding and Flood Insurance Edition

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flooding house rendering

There are plenty  of misconceptions about flooding, especially when it comes to hurricanes and insurance. Water damage can cause extreme harm to your home and belongings. While it may not be possible to completely ensure that the contents of your home remain safe and dry, there are ways to be prepared for some of the serious consequences of a hurricane. Here are some myths about flooding and flood insurance, along with the facts –  so you can arrange the best post-hurricane plan for yourself and your home.

I’m more concerned about the wind, which I’m sure will cause more damage to my home than water.

Though hurricanes can have dangerous high-intensity winds, more damage can actually be caused by the water accompanying these, especially storm surge. This is when large rushes of water get pushed on shore by the hurricane, wiping out whatever stands in its way.

A 2014 study by Edward Rappaport, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, gathered data on hundreds of Atlantic tropical cyclones between 1963 and 2012. Over the span of those 50 years, half the fatalities (49%) were directly attributed to storm surges. This includes 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, in which storm surge was the primary cause of death. The Insurance Information Institute ranks Florida as the #1 state at risk from storm surge, for both the number of homes and the reconstruction value. Storm surge poses a threat to both lives and bank accounts, so in order to be fully prepared, you need to be aware of its damage potential.  

NOAA Storm Surge PSA from Jim Edds on Vimeo.

My home isn’t near the coast or in a flood zone, so there’s no threat of flooding.

Heavy rain from a hurricane can cause major flooding, regardless of where flood zones appear on  a map. The Weather Channel notes that rainfall depends on the storm’s speed and size, and heavy rain bands can reach far beyond the coast. According to FEMA, 20% of all flood insurance claims come from areas outside the high-risk flood zones – and  over half the claims from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 came from outside of flood zones.

fallen beach house from storm surge

Since I already have homeowners’ insurance, I don’t need flood insurance.

Contrary to unfortunately popular belief, most homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage. The same goes for renters, who must also purchase flood protection separately. Of the 10 most costly hurricanes in the United States, Florida was affected by seven. According to FEMA, a single inch of flood water in an average home can cost over $20,000 – the same as the average yearly cost of out-of-state public universities. And that doesn’t even factor in personal property losses that are sure to boost the number up.

If a hurricane is heading my way, I can just purchase a policy before the storm hits so that I’m still covered.

Your purchase of flood insurance doesn’t mean coverage will start right away, as most policies have a 30-day waiting period. This is one of many aspects of hurricane planning that is only effective if prepared well in advance of hurricane season.  Be sure to leave yourself sufficient time to communicate with your insurance provider and pick a policy that works best for you. Don’t put it off, or you’ll find yourself deeply regretting the delay when you’re forced to pay for water damage out of pocket.

My house has flooded, so to file a claim I’ll have to leave my home the way it is until an assessment is done.

FedNat, which has been providing Floridians with various types of insurance for 25 years, says otherwise. Once the storm has passed, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FedNat will send a contractor at no charge or obligation if emergency services are required, including water extraction. Additional crucial actions include drying out your home and photographing damaged property, which should not be discarded until the adjuster is able to examine it. FedNat also provides resources on hurricane preparation and encourages using an inventory worksheet and checklist.

quote from Jay Neal of FAIR Foundation endorsing FedNat

10 Unusual Hurricane Preparation Tips

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Are you ready note on corkboard

It’s a familiar feeling for Floridians. A hurricane warning has been issued across all news and radio stations – and masses of people are rushing to gas stations, supermarket aisles have been cleared of canned goods, and there isn’t a fresh battery to be found at the home supply store. You’re so focused on getting the absolute essentials, like three days’ worth of food and water, that some things inevitably slip your mind. In the hectic preparations, try not to forget these less common items for your hurricane emergency kit:

1. Battery-operated or handheld fan
The last thing you want is to ride out a hurricane in Florida in the middle of July with no air conditioning. Use a battery-operated or handheld fan to keep air flowing and have plenty of extra batteries on hand. Conversely, if the weather has already turned chilly, make sure you have some hand warmers ready.

2. Ready-to-use hygienic supplies
With the power and water supply out, it’s easy to feel unclean. Gone are the days of plentiful hot water and long, relaxing showers. Stock up on dry shampoo, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and feminine products, among others – things that will help restore a much-needed sense of cleanliness. And if you wear contact lenses, don’t forget a supply of contact solution – you don’t want to sleep with your contacts in, as it can lead to infections or dry eyes, or find yourself forced to dig up an old pair of glasses with the wrong prescription.

3. Bug spray
Hurricanes bring a torrent – not only of water, but of bugs as well. Mosquitoes can carry diseases, and they especially thrive in the dampness and humidity of a storm’s aftermath. The CDC recommends that you choose an EPA-registered insect repellent to fight off the little critters.

4. Bleach
Pure, unscented bleach can serve a multitude of helpful purposes after a hurricane. Not only can it disinfect a variety of items, it can also sanitize water when boiling isn’t an option. The FDA advises 1/8 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water, and then waiting 30 minutes until the water is safe to drink.

5. Disposable camera
To be ready in case your home suffers from flooding or other damage, you’ll want to take “before” photos of your belongings, especially valuables. If damage actually occurs, take “after” photos for your insurance provider. If you are unable to access the camera on your phone, a disposable camera will be helpful for quick snapshots. It will also show that your photos have not been altered and your description of the damage is true and accurate.

6. Cooler
Food and drinks aren’t the only things you’ll want to keep chilled – some medications require cool storage places to remain effective. A small cooler will do the trick, but make sure to wrap the medications in a plastic bag to avoid water damage as ice melts.

Florida’s unique geography places it squarely in the crosshairs of hurricane season ever year, yet a survey by the National Hurricane Survival Initiative showed that Floridians still do not sufficiently prepare. Take this Hurricane IQ quiz and don’t forget these incredibly helpful actions!

7. Waterproof important documents
It’s crucial that you safely store your important documents, but also that they stay safe. Consider using waterproof bags that won’t allow moisture to seep inside and keep the storage container away from areas of your home that are likely to flood. Make copies and have them laminated, and keep a printed contact information sheet. Additionally, don’t forget identification information for all members of your household, and store it with the important documents in an easily accessible place in case you must evacuate.

8. Make sure your fridge keeps its cool
Don’t forget to set your refrigerator and freezer to their lowest temperatures. Freeze containers of water or have ice packs to ensure that your food doesn’t spoil as quickly. By making a list of the contents in your fridge, you’ll know exactly what’s inside so you can minimize the time the door is open.

9. Don’t forget your pets
Make an emergency supply kit for your pets. Include three days of food and water, as well as any medications that your pet needs. Don’t forget to keep copies of your pet’s vaccinations and medical records in a waterproof container.

10. Educate yourself
Knowledge is power, and you’ll want to be armed with as much of it as possible before a hurricane hits. The FAIR Foundation aims to educate the public about natural disaster risks through Get Ready, Florida! The National Hurricane Survival Initiative promotes wind and flood mitigation in hopes of reducing uninsured risk and helping families stay protected throughout the hurricane season.

Learn more at fairfound.org and hurricanesafety.org.

Stay Powered Up Despite the Storm

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stressed man sitting on couch alone in the dark

An essential part of living in Florida is preparing for hurricane season. The state leads the nation in tropical landfalls with more than 200 direct hurricane and tropical storm strikes since records began in the mid-19th century. While the state’s energy companies have invested billions of dollars to strengthen the energy grid to help speed restoration following one of those strikes, it’s inevitable that a major storm will cause power outages. Preparing for power outages is key to ensuring you and your family are ready for when, not if, the next hurricane to blow your way.

poweroutage

Know Your Home

Losing power can make it difficult to enter or leave your home if you have an electronic door lock. Make sure you have another safe way into your home, or a key that doesn’t require power. Learn how to open your garage door manually (many will have a bypass or emergency cord).

Hire a Professional

Tree limbs and branches, as well as other windblown debris, are among the leading causes of outages during a storm. Many homeowners attempt to trim these themselves. However, both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) – Florida’s largest energy provider – advise against this. FEMA suggests you should hire a licensed tree-clearing professional to trim any vegetation near lines, and FPL warns that even non-metal ladders and equipment can still conduct electricity. This is why it’s important to look up and identify any overhead power lines before prepping your home, and to stay at least 10 feet away from those lines, including any tools or scaffolds you’re using. Always make sure to clean up any stray branches or yard clippings before a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued. Once the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues a warning, trash pickup is suspended, and anything left out may become airborne during the storm and interfere with power restoration.

The Ultimate Backup

If all else fails, having a generator in place will ensure that you have power during an outage. In order for generators to work properly, however, they must be stored safely and correctly. In a recent survey by the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, only 73% of people recognized that none of the options listed –  including balconies, garages, and attics – were viable locations for generators. With over a quarter of those surveyed believing in wrong information, former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate warns that a mistake can be potentially fatal. FPL recommends following the manufacturer’s instructions before operating a generator, which should be done outside and away from windows. The company also urges Florida residents to never wire a portable generator directly into a breaker or fuse box, as the power you generate could flow back into power lines and cause severe injuries or death to utility crews working to restore power.

Learn more about FPL at fpl.com, and be further prepared with this comprehensive checklist.