The last thing we need to hear about is the upcoming hurricane season. We haven’t quite detoxed from the pandemic, but how could we? We are still in Phase II of Governor Desantis’ Plan. The first thing you need to remember is “the media sells fear”. Yes, it is great for ratings. But don’t let reporters placing an entire cone over the state of Florida place you in a state of panic and evacuate you to Alaska!! Your two best resources to track hurricanes are:
1. The National Hurricane Center: This is the place to find the official tropical cyclone forecast and warning issued by the US government. The site has many excellent resources available with satellite photos, and computer models. The site is user friendly and comes in full feature, mobile and text only versions.
2. The Weather Underground Tropical Weather page is very comprehensive and a easy to use site which provides excellent tools for tracking for both professional and amateur. The site has full graphics, a mobile version and an iPhone version.
NEXT BEGIN TAKING THE STEPS NOW TO AVOID THE PANIC SHOPPERS.
• Make your plan. Think about your evacuation plan. Select a common meeting place or single point of contact for family. Have your travel mapped with several destinations laid out (depending on where the storm is traveling). If you have pets, make sure your destination and/or shelter is pet friendly.
• Start now by securing the exterior. Trim large trees and shrubs. Clean your yard and entryways from potted plants, toys, bikes and other debris. Secure outdoor objects that aren’t movable with rope.
• Install Strom Shutters. Yes, the way to go is impact glass. Yes, it can be expensive; however start budgeting throughout the year to replace one section at a time. If not, purchase your plywood and necessary items now. Check your shutters; are all the pieces and screws in place. Last minute runs to hardware stores are setting yourself up for panic shopping.
• Protect your car. The car not used in your evacuation should be parked in your garage. Okay Floridians, start cleaning out your garage so you can park one vehicle inside. Higher ground may be a little tough to find in Florida; however remember to not park your car under a tree, by power lines or low lying areas.
• Power Up. Fill spare gas tanks now!! Don’t take five spare tanks and fill up last minute. This is where the most fights break out, at the gas station lines. Make sure you have chargers powered and test your generator.
• Unplug appliances before you evacuate. Don’t forget to move them away from exterior doors and windows. Interior closets are a good place.
• Store important documents. All legal papers, birth certificates, marriage license, wills, insurance policies, financial papers, as well as valuable jewelry either in a safety deposit box or bolted safe in an interior closet at home. • Prepare emergency Kit. Check out the back of the newsletter for that info.
• Identify a shelter room in your home. Should be first floor with no windows and doors. Sometimes we may need to wait out a storm in a hallway.
Here is a BIG tip in preparing. Take a look at the back of your sheet. If you don’t want to shop, let Marco Office Supply take care of many of the supplies needed for your kits.
Batteries/Flashlights – Check
First Aid – Check
Food and Water – Check and check out our break-room section; cereals to snack bars to crackers to lunches to go, nuts and protein snacks and even dog treats.
COVID Supplies – Check
Storage boxes & Portable File Carts – Check
Paper supplies – check
LET US HELP YOU! WE ARE GETTING YOU THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND WE CAN HELP YOU THROUGH HURRICANE SEASON!!
