As Floridians, we tend to be complacent about hurricanes because we hear about them so much, but even the most jaded natives have been touched by the devastating scenes in Houston this past week. If nothing else, we are a bit more motivated to pay attention to Category 5 Irma barreling through the Atlantic toward us.
We hope you are paying attention too and getting prepared. Here are a few sources of information to help you.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has reminded us to think beyond just our physical safety but also about money and documents we may need in the aftermath of a storm.
The American Red Cross provides a Hurricane Safety Checklist for what you should do, what supplies you need, and what to do after the hurricane hits.
Some Palm Beach County disaster assistance companies are listed here:
- Paul Davis, Inc. – 888-473-7669
- Service Master – 800-737-7663
- ServPro – 800-SERV-PRO
- Belfor Property Restoration – 855-748-4816
- Independent Mitigation and Cleaning/Conservation (IMACC) – 877-438-4622
And here are some additional items that we could think of to include in your Hurricane Preparedness List:
- Flashlights and extra bulbs
- Clock (wind-up or battery-operated)
- Battery-operated radio
- NOAA emergency weather radio
- Extra batteries
- Pocket battery-powered or ready-to-use chargers for your cell phones
- Toilet paper
- Matches (camping stores have waterproof matches)
- Scissors
- Plastic garbage bags
- Working fire extinguisher
- Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots
- Fully charged battery-operated lanterns. Don’t use candles and kerosene lanterns. They are fire hazards.
- Map of the area
- List of phone numbers
- Copy of insurance policy
- Extra medications
- Eyeglasses
- Documentation of your pets’ rabies and bordatello vaccinations in case you need to board them or take them to a shelter
