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Good News…

Yes, it’s true! According to the National Hurricane Center & Bay News 9, Hurricane Micahel is in the Gulf of Mexico. So what are you doing to keep you and your family safe?

All of Indian Shores is in Evacuation Zone A. You can see the Evacuation Zone and Shelters map at the Pinellas County Know Your Zone webpage.

First I topped off the gas in my car in case I have to evacuate. You don’t want to be in the position of having to leave and there be long lines at the gas station or possibly, no gas at all.

Figure out where you will go, relatives or friends home on high ground, hotel or shelter.  Either way, it’s all the same. You will need to pack a go bag.

If you go to a shelter it is more like a lifeboat than a cruise ship. It will be bright if they have power, hot if they don’t and always somewhat loud. I would bring headphones just to drown out the noise.

What if you are on your way to a safe place and you get stuck you will need to have some supplies with you.

 

Your GO BAG…

According to Pinellas County, all hazards guide…

Basic Supplies
❑ Water—at least one gallon of water per person
per day for drinking, and one gallon per person
per day for hygiene and cooking
❑ One-week supply of fluids to drink and nonperishable
food that does not require cooking,
for example: dried fruit, canned tuna fish, peanut
butter, etc. (Remember comfort foods.)
❑ Non-electric can opener
❑ Medications and copies of prescriptions (Ask
your pharmacist for a printout. Get refills without
having to wait, once the governor declares a state
of local emergency that includes Pinellas.)
❑ Rain gear
❑ Flashlight or lantern
❑ Battery-operated or hand-crank radio
❑ Extra batteries
❑ First aid supplies—over-the-counter pain
reliever, anti-diarrhea medicine/laxative, antihistamine,
anti-itch cream, antiseptic
❑ Sanitation—wipes, antibacterial hand
gel, soap, toilet paper, hygiene supplies,
feminine supplies
❑ Extra batteries for medical devices such as
hearing aids, etc.
❑ Eyeglasses and extra contact lenses
❑ Cash for when ATMs are out of service—small
bills will make purchasing easier
❑ Books, cards, board games for entertainment
❑ Full tank of gas in your vehicle
❑ Cell phone with charger, extra battery backup,
solar charger
❑ Contacts in the mobile device and in print
for backup
❑ Information downloaded to your mobile device
(contacts, maps)
❑ A paper map
❑ Paper and pencil
❑ Insect repellent

CLICK HERE FOR THE PINELLAS COUNTY  All-Hazards Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE PINELLAS COUNTY EVACUATION & SHELTER MAP

And don’t forget about your pets, take them into account. Pack a go bag for them too. See page 8 of the All Hazards Guide for more info.

According to Indian Shores emergency meeting this afternoon, they have ordered sandbags and will reconvene tomorrow morning to determine their next move.

If Hurricane Michael moves just a little to the east and we could be in grave danger, be aware of the situation. Keep an eye on Hurricane Michael start to prepare & be safe!

Better to be safe than sorry!

Did you know there’s an APP for that…

Ready Pinellas App: For checklists, preparedness assistance, and information, download the new mobile app at Google Play  and Apple Store .

CLICK HERE FOR THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER

CLICK HERE FOR Bay News 9 Tropical report

 

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• Avoid bringing large amounts of cash on the trip. Using one or two credit cards or travelers’ checks is a safer option.
• Leave valuable jewelry, electronics or collectibles at home.
• Label each piece of luggage, inside and out, with your name, address and telephone number.
• Keep cash, credit cards, passports and airline tickets in the hotel safe, and make sure the hotel door is always closed securely. If you must carry cash or credit cards, inside pockets and shoulder bags across the chest are the safest places to store them.

The USA.gov website has these additional tips for protecting belongings while traveling:

• Remember to bring a photo identification card and updated passport if leaving the United States.
• Contact your doctor to see if any immunizations are necessary before traveling to a foreign country.
• Bring prescription medications, and keep them in their original, labeled containers. Have copies of your prescriptions, including the generic names.
• If traveling by air, review the Transportation Security Administration’s list of prohibited items to bring on airplanes.

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Good News…

Evacuation Information:

• If authorities tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, if you have time.
• Disconnect electrical appliances.
• Bring your emergency supply kit and important papers.
• Bring your pets or make arrangements for them if you’re going to a shelter.
• Follow posted evacuation routes, since other roads may be blocked or closed.
• Text or use social media to let others know you’re okay, or register on the American Red Cross’ Safe and Well website.

Emergency Resources:

• National Weather Service
• National Hurricane Center
• American Red Cross
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Ready.gov
• DisasterSafety.org
• Safe and Well

 

Good News…

Striking down some common myths about lighting….

Myths VS Fact:

Myth: If you’re caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should crouch down to reduce your risk of being struck.
Fact: Crouching doesn’t make you any safer outdoors. Run to a substantial building or hard topped vehicle. If you are too far to run to one of these options, you have no good alternative. You are NOT safe anywhere outdoors.

Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Fact: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it’s a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a year

Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning.
Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm.

Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground.
Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Don’t lean on doors during a thunderstorm.

Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning.
Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows. Windows are hazardous for two reasons: wind generated during a thunderstorm can blow objects into the window, breaking it and causing glass to shatter and second, in older homes, in rare instances, lightning can come in cracks in the sides of windows.

For more Myth VS Fact Click HERE

National Weather Service Lightning Safety page, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Missed the latest Newsletter?

Missed the latest Newsletter?