Everyone faces the risk of some type of disaster.  Just as frontier life of two hundred years ago prepared for all types of disaster, we have to prepare as well.  Part of the plan is insurance on our property but there are other planning aspects, as well.  

Each family is slightly different so it must a plan custom for you.  How is that so? Well, do you have children? What ages are the children?  Do you have seniors as part of your family?  What ages are the adults? Are there any disabilities that need to be considered?   What steps have you already taken?  Do you shelter-in-place or go to a County Shelter, stay with friends or leave the area?  The best that can be done is to provide you with the areas that need to be addressed and details on each.  The rest is up to you.

1. Know and understand your disaster risks.  In this area, some of the risks are tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, tropical storms, some local flooding, and hurricanes with imbedded tornadoes.

2. Does you family have special needs - electric medical equipment, oxygen needs, special medication, eyesight/hearing limitations that should be considered.  Does a family member need to move to special care? Planning and obtaining a space can take some time.  Plan early especially if you need to reserve a special care space.

3. Set up a communications plan to cover information to you and information from you before and after.

4. Schedule a property insurance checkup including determining if your residence is in a FEMA flood plain and whether you may need a insurance change because of changing laws, policies, changes to the property etc.

5. Strengthen your home - door hinges/latch, window glass, double garage doors.  These are the failure points during high winds and may also be subject to flying debris. 

6. Make a disaster plan - Shelter-in-place, move to a shelter, evacuate.  Evaluate all options and if Plan A is not working be ready to switch to Plan B.

7. Do you have pets, if so; develop a plan for handling your pets. 

8. Put together a disaster kit - food, water, flashlight for 3 or more days.

9. Place vital documents in a waterproof container

10. Remove and secure valuables

11. Stay informed - Sign up for the County Alert (example: Alert Sumter), Orlando TV (Channel 9, 13),  Radio (Villages AM 640, Orlando 96.5 FM) . Record the EOC Hotline.

12. Help your neighbors by staying connected.   No one should be forgotten.

 

FEMA: Prepare for Emergencies Now (PDF)

Be Prepared For A Hurricane (PDF)