• Keeping Yourself Calm Will Keep Your Kids Calm
• Keep Your Medical Needs in Mind
• Your Power Questions Answered
• Special Needs Evacuees Need to Register
• Get Your Supply Checklist
• Steps to Take After a Flood
• Ensure Your Safety in Apartment, Condo
• Preparation Checklist
• Things to Know Before You Evacuate
• Keep Your Food and Water Safe

Keeping Yourself Calm Will Keep Your Kids Calm

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

When it comes to hurricanes, your kids take their cues from you.

Here are some ways to keep your children calm and safe during hurricane season.

• Talk about hurricanes' danger in words they understand — but let them know you have plans in place to keep them safe.
• Involve your children in the preparation process. Let them pack their own suitcase and take a toy or game.
• Limit the amount of TV and radio coverage your children are exposed to.
• Tell them what your family will do during a watch or warning — from listening to the radio, to assembling disaster kits, to the location where the family will evacuate.
• The American Red Cross has a Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book to help parents and children talk out what they'll do during disasters. Find it at www.redcross.org/services/disaster/eduinfo/colorbk.... (Of particular interest are the pages on hurricane preparedness and disaster supplies.)
• The American Academy of Pediatrics also publishes a Family Readiness Kit to help prepare the whole family for disasters. Go to www.aap.org/family/frk/frkit.htm. Click on the "Understanding Disasters" section for a list of preparations tailored to specific disasters, including hurricanes. The "4 Steps to Prepare Your Family" section will walk you through creating a disaster plan — including directions to hold a family meeting.

[ back to top ]

Keep Your Medical Needs in Mind

By IRENE MAHER
News Channel 8
Published: May 23, 2008

Disaster preparedness isn't just about food, water and batteries. You also have to take your health into account.

Here are some tips for making sure you can handle minor emergencies or meet your daily medical needs.

Have a supply of prescription medications on hand. Work with your doctor, insurance company and pharmacy to stockpile extra medication.

Assemble basic first-aid items, including pain medications, antihistamines, antidiarrhea medication, stomach and reflux medications, cough and cold medication, Band-Aids, gauze bandages, medical tape, scissors, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, soap, antiseptic wipes, alcohol pads, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, hydrogen peroxide, disposable cold packs, disposable gloves, boxes of tissue, paper towels, and a first-aid manual.

You may need to personalize your list by adding items such as contact lens solution, spare glasses and sunglasses, hearing-aid batteries, denture care products, dietary food supplements, adult diapers, feminine hygiene supplies, baby supplies, and medications for your pet.

Include a bucket, a bottle of all-purpose disinfectant cleaner, household bleach, insect repellant, bug spray, sunscreen and several sizes of plastic zip-top bags.

If you have medication that requires refrigeration, include a small cooler and several freezer packs.

Make a list of all your prescription medications with dosages, dosing schedules, doctors' names and phone numbers, and pharmacy phone numbers. Include the names and phone numbers of people to contact in an emergency. Keep the information stored with your important papers in a plastic zip-top bag.

If you rely on a motorized scooter or wheelchair, you should have a regular wheelchair on hand in case the electricity goes out and you can't recharge batteries.

- Irene Maher, News Channel 8

[ back to top ]

Your Power Questions Answered

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

What should I do when the lights go out from a hurricane or other severe storm?

First, check your fuse or breaker box. Replacing fuses or resetting breakers may get the lights back on. If not, call your power company. Tampa Electric: 1-877-588-1010; Progress Energy: 1-800-228-8485; Lakeland Electric: 1-866-834-4248

I can't get the power back on. When will the utility get it working again?

The short answer is as soon as safely and humanly possible for utility crews. Generally, repair crews will not work during the storm or in flooded areas. It can be deadly and counterproductive. Power restoration will begin after the storm.

How do utilities determine which damage to repair first?

First, power is returned to vital public buildings, such as hospitals, emergency centers, and police and fire stations. Then, water and sewer facilities and other facilities that provide important public services get power restored.

After that, electric utility crews restore power to the largest number of customers possible. That usually means repairing power lines and circuits that serve the highest number of customers first and then moving on to lines that serve smaller groups of customers.

What should I do if water might flood my home or business during a storm?

Use the master switch to turn off the electricity at the fuse or circuit box. If there is no master switch, turn off each breaker and unscrew all fuses. Do not touch fuses or breakers - or use electrical appliances - while standing in water or on a wet surface.

What should I do if lines are down on my street, in my yard or across my car?

Stay away from fallen power lines, assume they are energized and report them to the utility. Also, be careful walking in floodwater, which might conceal fallen power lines that could electrocute you.

If you're in your car and a line falls across the car, stay in your vehicle if there appears to be no immediate danger of fire. Call for help or try to drive away from the wire.

If you're injured or there is fire and you must leave your vehicle, do not touch any part of the car while touching the ground. Try to jump clear of the vehicle without touching the wire or the vehicle.

[ back to top ]

Special Medical Needs Evacuees Need to Register

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

The headline on Pinellas County's emergency management Web site is: "Surviving the Storm: It's Everyone's Responsibility."

It's the main theme that emergency officials want residents to keep in mind, especially if you're a resident with special medical needs. If you don't register for a spot in a special needs shelter, emergency managers won't know where you are and won't be able to help you when a storm heads this way.

Besides needing space for the Tampa Bay area's oldest and most fragile residents, officials must plan to help transport those folks. Knowing where they are is crucial.

Each county has its own criteria for deciding who can go to a special-needs shelter. But, in general, residents with special needs are those who:

• Are medically dependent on electricity. An example is someone who uses a nebulizer to treat emphysema or asthma or someone who uses an oxygen concentrator or a feeding tube.
• Need help with routine wound care.
• Need help taking complex medications, such as multiple pills or medication that has to be dissolved or injected.
• In some cases, depend on dialysis.

Registering also is crucial because some residents will find out their needs exceed what a medical shelter can provide. Those patients should plan to evacuate to a hospital or other skilled-nursing facility.

There also are residents with medical needs who won't be accepted by shelters. For example, Hillsborough County's special-needs shelters won't accept people who are morbidly obese, in the third trimester of pregnancy or on a ventilator.

If you have special medical needs or are caring for someone with special needs, here's a "to do" list for you:

• Register for a special needs shelter.
• Arrange to have your pets taken care of.
• Have the phone numbers of people who can check your home while you're away.
• Identify one caregiver to go with you to the shelter.

Plan now to take these items:

• Medications
• Special dietary supplies
• Medical supplies, oxygen cannula, masks, pulse oximeter, heart monitor
• Wound care supplies
• Blankets, pillows, air mattress
• Towel, washcloth, change of clothing
• Wheelchair/walker
• Personal hygiene items (soap, toothbrush, adult diapers)
• Do not bring concentrators

If you have questions or need to register for a special needs shelter, call:

• Hillsborough County: (813) 272-5900
• Pinellas County: (727) 464-3800
• Pasco County: (727) 847-8959
• Polk County: (863) 534-5600

[ back to top ]

Get Your Supply Checklist

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

[ back to top ]

Steps to Take After a Flood

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

Flooding is common in the Bay area, even in places not affected by storm surge. Here are things you need to know:

Safety Tips

• Don't walk through flowing water. Do not drive through a flooded area. Floodwater can be much deeper than it appears. Two feet of water can sweep away a car, and as little as six inches can cause unstable footing.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wiring.
• Turn off the power before floodwater enters your home.

After A Flood

• Stay tuned to local media and NOAA weather radio to determine when it is safe to return.
• If your home was flooded, turn off the electricity and get an electrical inspection before restoring power.
• Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to look for damage. Do not use an open flame until the area has been aired out.
• Disinfect everything.
• Drink only bottled or previously stored water until you disinfect your well or if advised of public utility system contamination.
• Throw out food that comes in contact with floodwater.
• Take care of yourself. Watch out for symptoms of anxiety, stress and fatigue. Crisis counseling programs are available through the American Red Cross and other agencies.
• Document your damage with photos or videotape.
• Find receipts or canceled checks for expensive items. Keep receipts for disaster-related expenses.
• Call your flood insurance agent to file a claim and report damage as soon as possible.

[ back to top ]

Ensure Your Safety in Apartment, Condo

By B.C. MANION | The Tampa Tribune,
Published: May 7, 2007

If you live in an apartment or condominium, chances are you will be on your own to protect your property.

Check with your apartment's or condominium's management to find out whether it puts up shutters or lays down sandbags. If it doesn't, find out whether you can.

If your condo association says you can't hang shutters, seek legal advice because such a rule may be beyond the association's purview.

Here are tips for apartment and condominium dwellers:

• If you live in an apartment, buy renters insurance. If you live in a condo, get homeowners insurance. At the outset of the hurricane season, take digital images or videotape your dwelling and its contents to help you prepare your insurance claim if damage occurs.
• Move your balcony furniture indoors when a hurricane threatens or before you leave your apartment or condominium if you'll be gone during hurricane season.
• Be aware that winds are stronger at higher elevations. If you're not in an evacuation area and you plan to remain in your building, consider staying with someone on a lower floor.
• Stay in an interior room without windows. Bathrooms and closets are often good bets. Interior hallways and stairwells may be good options, too.
• Know the route to the nearest exit stairs. Elevators fail when the power goes out.
• If the government orders you to evacuate, go.
• If you evacuate, keep a binder that has all of your important information: credit card numbers, health insurance cards, mortgage information, personal identification, financial information, driver's license number and other information you may need.
• If you evacuate and leave behind a pet, be aware you may not be able to get back in when you want. If there's damage to the building, for instance, you'll have to wait for emergency officials to clear it for re-entry.
• Put your valuables in the safest part of your residence. Take them with you if you leave.

[ back to top ]

Preparation Checklist

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

Sit down with your family and make a plan for keeping safe during a storm. Here are some things you should think about:

1. Do we live in an evacuation zone? Which one?
2. Where will we go if we need to evacuate (hotel, shelter, friend's home)?
3. Which roads should we take? (Main roads and interstates will be congested. Plot your route using alternative roads if possible.)
4. Who are our emergency contacts? (You should notify at least two people - one locally and one out of state - of where you plan to evacuate.)
5. Do I need a special-needs shelter? If so, register now: Hillsborough County: (813) 272-5900; Pinellas: (727) 464-3800; Pasco: (727) 847-8959; Polk: (863) 534-5600.
6. Have I notified my employer of my evacuation plans?
7. Have I secured my important documents, keepsakes and business data? (List insurance policies and other items you need to gather.)
8. Do I know the terms of my homeowners insurance policy? (List the company, policy number, and name and phone of number of the agent.)
9. Do I have a list of my prescription medications with doses, doctor names, pharmacy and phone numbers? Do I have enough prescription medication? (You should have enough to last at least three days. )
10. Do I have enough nonperishable food and water and a first-aid kit?
11. Where will my pets go?
12. Do I have a plan for securing my house (shutters or plywood, garage door reinforcement, lawn items, etc.)?

[ back to top ]

Things to Know Before You Evacuate

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

Evacuating can be the most stressful decision when a hurricane is barreling toward your area. To make the evacuation as stress-free as possible, disaster experts advise residents to decide early whether to leave. Recent studies indicate it can take 10 times longer than normal to get to a destination during an evacuation. Of course, a lot of questions arise during an evacuation. Here are some answers based on interviews with local and national disaster experts:

How should I decide when to evacuate?

Monitor local radio and television stations or go to a news Web site to learn whether officials have ordered evacuations. Waiting until the last minute will only add to the time it takes to reach your destination. Last-minute evacuees could end up in hurricane shelters or stuck in their cars when the storm makes landfall.

Before you leave, check with neighbors to see whether they need a ride or other help.

Who should evacuate?

Local authorities and forecasters will decide which neighborhoods could be vulnerable to storm surge. Experts say it's imperative that coastal residents know which flood zone they are in so they aren't surprised by a call to evacuate. Those who live in mobile homes should evacuate for even Category 1 hurricanes.

Find out whether you live in a flood zone:

Hillsborough: www-gis.hillsboroughcounty.org/heat

Pasco: www.pascoemergencymanagement.com/Emergencies/maps.html

Pinellas: http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/knowyourzone.htm^[1]

(Polk County does not have evacuation zones.)

How far do I need to evacuate?

Tens of miles, not hundreds of miles.

Homeowners who don't live in flood zones should stay unless their homes are too old or dilapidated to safely endure the storm.

Are there any good tips for evacuating?

Be prepared and be patient. Learn the best evacuation routes. Routes off the main interstates and highways can be a lot faster during an evacuation. Write down telephone numbers of places you might go, and stay in touch with them during the trip. Bring maps in case you must take alternative routes.

What if I want to fly?

Plan early. Airlines move aircraft out of the area long before a storm makes landfall, and airports usually close well in advance of a storm.

How much should I expect to spend during an evacuation?

Michael Lindell, director of the Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center at Texas A&M University, said a recent study indicates the average household spends $262.57 per day during an evacuation. However, most of the evacuees who responded to the survey said they didn't have to spend money for lodging because they stayed with family or friends or at vacation homes.

What should I bring to a shelter?

• Pillows and blankets
• Extra clothes
• Enough cash to survive if the storm knocks out power for a few days
• A three-day supply of medication
• A battery-powered radio
• Important papers such as insurance policies
• Any medical records you keep at home
• Books, puzzles, games

[ back to top ]

Keep Your Food and Water Safe

The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2008

There's so much out of your control in a hurricane's aftermath. One thing you can control: how you'll feed yourself and quench your thirst when the power goes out.

First, you should stock up on food and water before a storm. Then there are issues of refrigeration, cleanliness and cooking.

Here are some tips from the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

Food And Accessories

• Shelf-stable foods such as canned goods can be eaten cold or heated on the grill.
• A digital thermometer is a necessity in your kitchen. With thermometers, you can quickly check the internal temperatures of food for doneness and safety.
• Discard food that may have come into contact with contaminated floodwater.
• Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the labels, wash the cans, then disinfect them with a solution of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water.
• Food containers with screw caps, snap lids, crimped caps, twist caps, flip tops, snap tops and home-canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater.
• For infants, use only canned baby formula.
• Buy paper plates, cups and plastic utensils. Antibacterial hand sanitizer will be helpful.
• A gas grill can be your most versatile tool. Not only can you use it to prepare food, but you can also use it to boil water.

Water Safety

• Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice.
• Drink only bottled, boiled or treated water until your supply is tested and found safe.
• Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. Bring water to a boil for one minute.
• Water may be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets or by mixing six drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented, chlorine bleach (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly, and let stand for about 30 minutes. This treatment will not kill parasitic organisms.

Frozen And Refrigerated Foods

• An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold enough for at least a couple of hours. A freezer that is half-full will hold for up to 24 hours, and a full freezer for 48 hours.
• Have enough coolers to store the food you want to save.
• If you think you will be without power for a long period, ask friends with electricity to store your frozen foods.
• Use dry ice, if available. Twenty-five pounds of dry ice will keep a 10-cubic-foot freezer below freezing for up to four days. Wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury from dry ice.
• Discard food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more.
• If a power outage is two hours or less, you need not be concerned.

[ back to top ]

^[1] Link updated.