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Hurricane Help

KNOW YOUR HOME
KNOW YOUR ZONE
The COVID-19 recovery has made it even more important this year to know your home and its ability to withstand a hurricane. 
What's a building code?

Modern building codes ensure your home is built using the latest practices and standards. Use this tool to determine codes used in your community, and how to contact your local government if they don't.

Should I evacuate during a pandemic?

If you are in an evacuation zone that is ordered to evacuate by local authorities or in a flood zone, you should evacuate no matter what. If you are not in any of these areas, then it may be safer for you to stay in your home. While it is the responsibility of the homeowner to know if their home is strong enough to withstand a hurricane, generally homes built after 2002 include features that make them more resilient to hurricanes. There are also improvements you can make to your home to strengthen it against future storms.

Isn't my home strong enough?

The greatest threat to life from a hurricane is storm surge flooding, so if you are in an ordered evacuation zone, low-lying flood area or in a mobile home, the life-safety risk of a hurricane will be greater than the risk of COVID-19 exposure. On the other hand, if you are not in an ordered evacuation zone, low-lying flood prone area, mobile home or unsafe structure, then it may be safer to stay in your home. Always heed the advice and orders of local officials during a storm.

How can I make my home stronger?

The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it's important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it.

Will shelters be different this year?

Non-congregate sheltering will be used when possible. Overall, the CDC is encouraging every county to use smaller shelters of less than 50 people when possible. Regardless of the number of people in a shelter, the CDC and American Red Cross recommend a minimum of 60 square feet per person. The state is recommending that counties screen all clients before entering. If rapid testing is available, it should be used. The state also sent out a statewide survey to hotels to gauge how many businesses would be interested in providing non-congregate sheltering is a hurricane were to threaten a community. It's important to note, the 200 hotels who responded to the survey are not actively sheltering individuals. They expressed interest in providing sheltering during the upcoming hurricane season. All decisions regarding sheltering during a storm will be decided by local county emergency management. To view the list of hotels that expressed interest, please click here

Every year it's important for residents to know if they live an evacuation zone, a flood prone area, or an unsafe structure.
Not everyone has to evacuate!

The first step to understanding your risk is to know if you live in an evacuation zone. The button below will take you to a map that identifies your location and your evacuation zone.

How will I know whether to evacuate?

Monitor local news and pay attention to alerts from authorities. Evacuation zones are designated from A to F. Generally, Zone A is most vulnerable and most likely to be evacuated first, and Zone F is most likely to be evacuated last. Take the time now to find out which zone you are in and remember to pay attention to local authorities during a storm to find out if an evacuation is ordered.

Do I have to stay in a public shelter?

If you need to evacuate, your safest and easiest option may be to stay with friends or family who live outside the evacuation zone or in a stronger house. Check with nearby friends and family now and have a plan in place for what to do if you are ordered to evacuate.

Will I be exposed to COVID-19 in a shelter?

The state has been working with CDC, FEMA, and the American Red Cross to develop guidance for counties ahead of the 2020 Hurricane Season. This includes non-congregate sheltering plans, maintaining 6 feet social distancing between families, taking temperatures and screening individuals prior to entry, routine cleaning and disinfecting, and designated isolation areas in case an individual in the shelter becomes ill.

What should I bring with me when I evacuate?

In addition to the supplies that you would normally bring, make sure that you have hand sanitizer, masks and other materials to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Florida's Division of Emergency Management has also published evacuation maps for each county that are based upon the most up-to-date regional evacuation studies. These are intended for general reference, and any questions should be directed to your local emergency manager.

KNOW YOUR HOME
The COVID-19 recovery has made it even more important this year to know your home and its ability to withstand a hurricane. 
What's a building code?

Modern building codes ensure your home is built using the latest practices and standards. Use this tool to determine codes used in your community, and how to contact your local government if they don't.

Should I evacuate during a pandemic?

If you are in an evacuation zone that is ordered to evacuate by local authorities or in a flood zone, you should evacuate no matter what. If you are not in any of these areas, then it may be safer for you to stay in your home. While it is the responsibility of the homeowner to know if their home is strong enough to withstand a hurricane, generally homes built after 2002 include features that make them more resilient to hurricanes. There are also improvements you can make to your home to strengthen it against future storms.

Isn't my home strong enough?

The greatest threat to life from a hurricane is storm surge flooding, so if you are in an ordered evacuation zone, low-lying flood area or in a mobile home, the life-safety risk of a hurricane will be greater than the risk of COVID-19 exposure. On the other hand, if you are not in an ordered evacuation zone, low-lying flood prone area, mobile home or unsafe structure, then it may be safer to stay in your home. Always heed the advice and orders of local officials during a storm.

How can I make my home stronger?

The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it's important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it.

Will shelters be different this year?

Non-congregate sheltering will be used when possible. Overall, the CDC is encouraging every county to use smaller shelters of less than 50 people when possible. Regardless of the number of people in a shelter, the CDC and American Red Cross recommend a minimum of 60 square feet per person. The state is recommending that counties screen all clients before entering. If rapid testing is available, it should be used. The state also sent out a statewide survey to hotels to gauge how many businesses would be interested in providing non-congregate sheltering is a hurricane were to threaten a community. It's important to note, the 200 hotels who responded to the survey are not actively sheltering individuals. They expressed interest in providing sheltering during the upcoming hurricane season. All decisions regarding sheltering during a storm will be decided by local county emergency management. To view the list of hotels that expressed interest, please click here

KNOW YOUR ZONE
Every year it's important for residents to know if they live an evacuation zone, a flood prone area, or an unsafe structure.
Not everyone has to evacuate!

The first step to understanding your risk is to know if you live in an evacuation zone. The button below will take you to a map that identifies your location and your evacuation zone.

How will I know whether to evacuate?

Monitor local news and pay attention to alerts from authorities. Evacuation zones are designated from A to F. Generally, Zone A is most vulnerable and most likely to be evacuated first, and Zone F is most likely to be evacuated last. Take the time now to find out which zone you are in and remember to pay attention to local authorities during a storm to find out if an evacuation is ordered.

Do I have to stay in a public shelter?

If you need to evacuate, your safest and easiest option may be to stay with friends or family who live outside the evacuation zone or in a stronger house. Check with nearby friends and family now and have a plan in place for what to do if you are ordered to evacuate.

Will I be exposed to COVID-19 in a shelter?

The state has been working with CDC, FEMA, and the American Red Cross to develop guidance for counties ahead of the 2020 Hurricane Season. This includes non-congregate sheltering plans, maintaining 6 feet social distancing between families, taking temperatures and screening individuals prior to entry, routine cleaning and disinfecting, and designated isolation areas in case an individual in the shelter becomes ill.

What should I bring with me when I evacuate?

In addition to the supplies that you would normally bring, make sure that you have hand sanitizer, masks and other materials to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Florida's Division of Emergency Management has also published evacuation maps for each county that are based upon the most up-to-date regional evacuation studies. These are intended for general reference, and any questions should be directed to your local emergency manager.

VIEW ALL HURRICANE HELP TIPS

1885 Stadium Road
PO Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-5551

A service of WUFT at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications 

Partners of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network include: Florida's Division of Emergency Management, WDNA (Miami), WFIT (Melbourne), WMFE (Orlando), WFSU (Tallahassee), WGCU (Fort Myers), WJCT (Jacksonville), WKGC (Panama City), WLRN (Miami), WMNF (Tampa-Sarasota), WQCS (Fort Pierce), WUFT (Gainesville-Ocala), WUSF (Tampa), WUWF (Pensacola) and Florida Public Media.

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