In St. Augustine, Florida, hurricane season begins on June 1st and lasts until November 30th, with the peak season occurring in September and October. By taking proactive steps, you can safeguard your family, home, and belongings before a storm arrives. We've covered everything you need to be prepared for hurricane season.
Create a Family Emergency Plan
Follow these steps to develop a reliable plan:
- Communication: Establish clear communication methods for your family in case of a storm. Ensure everyone knows how to reach each other and designate an out-of-town contact for updates. Use messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal, which may still function if phone lines and Wi-Fi are down. St. Johns County provides a useful printable communication plan as well as a kid friendly version, if you have younger children.
- Evacuation Routes: Familiarize yourself with the local evacuation routes. Check the St. Johns County website or your local government’s site for updated maps. Practicing the evacuation plan with your family ensures everyone knows what to do.
- Meeting Points: Designate safe meeting locations inside and outside of your neighborhood in case family members get separated.
Assemble a Hurricane Kit
A well-stocked hurricane kit is crucial for staying safe during a storm. Your kit should include the following items:
- Water: Aim for 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3-5 days, both for drinking and sanitation purposes.
- Non-Perishable Food: Stock up on non-perishable food items. Consider canned goods such as tuna, beans, and soup as well as energy bars, dried fruits, nuts, and peanut butter. These foods do not require cooking and are easy to store. Include paper plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels for convenience. Don’t forget baby food and/or formula plus associated supplies (i.e., bottles) if you have infants.
- Medications: Ensure you have at least a 7-day supply of prescription medications. It's also wise to include over-the-counter items like pain relievers, antacids, and laxatives.
- First Aid Supplies: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential. This should include bandages, antiseptics, tweezers, scissors, adhesive tape, and a first-aid manual. If you require specific medical equipment like inhalers or blood glucose monitors, make sure to include them as well.
- Tools & Supplies: Gather essential tools and supplies for a hurricane, such as flashlights with extra batteries, candles, solar-powered lanterns, a multi-tool, manual can opener, battery-operated fans, battery-operated radio, lighters, matches, bug spray, a portable cellphone charger and basic hand tools (hammer, screwdriver, wrench).
- Personal Items: Prepare clothing for each family member, including rain gear and sturdy shoes. Blankets or sleeping bags are necessary for comfort. If you have a baby, pack items like a pack ’n play and diapers. Hygiene products such as soap, hand sanitizer, feminine products, toothbrushes, and toothpaste are essential, along with sanitation supplies like wipes and garbage bags.
- Important Documents: Keep copies of important documents in a waterproof container or ziplock plastic bag so you can easily grab them should you need to evacuate. This includes identification (driver’s licenses and passports), important phone numbers and emergency contacts, banking and creditor information, medical records, prescription information (medication, dosage, refills), doctor’s contact details, home and vehicle insurance policies, property deeds, marriage certificates, adoption paperwork (if applicable), death certificates for late family members, divorce paperwork (if applicable), copies of wills and vehicle titles. Digital copies stored on a USB drive are also a good idea.
- Cash: During a hurricane, ATMs and credit card machines may not work. Have small bills and coins on hand to make necessary purchases.
- Activities: If you have children, pack books, coloring and activity books, toys, a deck of cards, and board games to keep them entertained.
- Pet Supplies: Don't forget about your pets! Ensure you have at least 3-5 days' worth of food, water, and any necessary medications for them.
- Miscellaneous: Some additional items can make a significant difference in an emergency. A whistle to signal for help, dust masks to filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting, and duct tape to create a shelter in place, as well as local maps, are all useful.
To make preparation easier, print a Hurricane Supply Kit Checklist and Hurricane Supply Checklist For Your Pet from local resources like St. Johns County Emergency Management, and keep your kit in an accessible plastic bin.
Protect Your Home
Securing your home is critical to minimizing storm damage. Follow these steps to prepare:
- Install Storm Shutters: Use storm shutters or plywood to protect windows and doors. Consider accordion-style shutters for ease of use.
- Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, plants and garbage cans to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds.
- Inspect Roof & Gutters: Check your roof for loose shingles and clean out gutters to avoid water buildup.
- Generators: Consider purchasing a generator to maintain power during outages. A 7,500-watt generator can power most essential home appliances. Remember to store fuel safely and follow manufacturer guidelines for use. Never operate a generator indoors.
- Sandbags: Sandbag distribution sites will be strategically located throughout St. Johns County based on projected storm impacts. The County will provide residents with 20 sandbags and the necessary materials to fill them, but residents should bring their own shovel and gloves. Information on sandbag availability and locations will be announced before a storm.
Stay Informed
Keeping up with the latest weather updates is essential during hurricane season. Here are a few ways to stay informed:
- Weather Apps: Download reliable weather apps like The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, or NOAA Weather Radar for real-time updates.
- NOAA Weather Radio: A battery-powered NOAA weather radio provides critical weather alerts, even when power is out.
- Local News: Follow local news channels like First Coast News and News4Jax for updates on storm paths, evacuation orders, and emergency services.
Review Your Insurance & Financial Preparedness
Make sure you’re financially prepared by reviewing your insurance coverage well in advance of hurricane season:
- Homeowner’s Insurance: Review your coverage to understand what's included and what's not for storm damage. Be aware that hurricane-specific deductibles are often higher and expressed as a percentage (1-5%) of your home's insured value. Check your policy limits to ensure the maximum payout is sufficient to rebuild your home. Additionally, verify if your policy covers flood damage; if not, you’ll need to purchase separate flood insurance if you live in a flood prone area.
- Renter’s Insurance: If you’re a renter, review your insurance policy details if applicable. You may need additional coverage for hurricane damage, as renter’s insurance typically does not include it. Flood damage is also not covered, but you can purchase separate flood insurance. Check if the home is in a flood zone before renting and adjust your policy limits based on the value of your personal items.
- Flood Insurance: Homeowner's and renter's insurance do not cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy if you live in a flood prone area. Flood insurance is available through your insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program, but act early as it requires a 30-day waiting period.
- Car Insurance: Ensure your vehicle insurance covers damage from flooding and falling debris.
Additionally, take photos or videos of your home’s interior and valuables for potential insurance claims. Having an emergency fund and some cash set aside for temporary housing or repairs is also a good practice.
Leverage Community Resources
Many local and national resources are available to assist with hurricane preparedness and response:
- St. Johns County Emergency Management: This resource offers evacuation routes, shelter information, and other local emergency updates. The Hurricane Preparedness Guide from St. Johns County is a great resource for staying organized.
- FEMA: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides extensive guidelines and resources for disaster preparedness and recovery. Check their website for up-to-date information on federal aid and planning tools.