Plan & Prepare
While living in and visiting Florida offers many benefits and advantages, it is important to keep in mind severe weather hazards and potential threats. Every family and business should have predefined emergency plans and always keep an emergency supply kit ready and stocked.
Each Florida county has a designated emergency management program, and residents, businesses, and visitors should also visit their county's emergency management for the most up-to-date and locally significant information.
Follow These Prep Steps:
1. Get Informed:
Know about the specific hazards that threaten your community (hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, etc.). It is also important to be familiar with you local emergency management office, as well as available local resources. More information on your local emergency management office can be found here.
2. Know Your Zone, Know Your Home
Before a storm impacts your community, it is important to know your evacuation zone and your home's strength. Know if your home lies in an evacuation zone by visiting the Know Your Zone Map. Also know your home's ability to withstand severe weather such as strong wind and heavy rain. This information will impact your decision to evacuate or shelter in place if local officials issue evacuation orders for your area.
3. Create a Disaster Supply Kit:
Your disaster supply kit should have supplies specific to your needs. Consider your personal needs and build an individualized disaster supply kit with items to last you at least 7 days. Find a complete disaster supply kit checklist below.
4. Keep a Copy:
Make copies of IDs and important documents and store in a safe place or in your Disaster Supply Kit.
5. Sign Up for Local Resources
Emergency Weather Alerts
Be sure to sign up for emergency weather alerts in your area. To do this, visit our AlertFlorida page. Emergency alerts save lives! Having multiple ways to recevie updated information during an emergency will help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Special Needs Registry
Register with the Special Needs Registry if you:
- Need electricity to operate medical equipment
- Need transportation to evacuate dur to a medical condition
- Need assistance in accessing medication during a disaster
Additional Resources
Alerts
AlertFlorida
Florida Highway Patrol
Ready.gov Alerts
Shelters
Ready.gov Shelter
FloridaDisaster.org Shelter Information
Evacuation
Access and Functional Needs
Disability Disaster Information
For more information on how to Make A Plan, visit Ready.gov/Plan.
Disaster preparedness does not need to be complicated! Make A Plan that considers the WHO, WHAT, WHERE and HOW:
- WHO are your emergency contacts?
- WHAT does your household need?
- WHERE will you shelter or evacuate to?
- HOW will you accomplish your plan?
Hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding are just a few of the many hazards Floridians are subject to - don't wait until disaster strikes, develop a family plan today! To get started, visit Make A Family Plan.
Did you know that 40 percent of businesses never re-open their doors post-disaster? Don't become a statistic. Protect your business by developing a business disaster plan. Visit Make A Business Plan to get started today.
If you live in a manufactured home there are steps that can be taken to better protect your property and recover efficiently after a disaster. Find tips specific to Floridians with manufactured homes at Make A Plan For Manufactured Homes.
When planning for hurricane season, it is important to Make A Plan for each member of your household INCLUDING pets! For preparedness information specifically for pet-owner, visit Make A Pet Plan.
An emergency or disaster may present unique challenges for people with disabilities and special needs. If you or someone you care for has a disability or special need, you may have to take additional steps to prepare yourself and your family. Find additional resources at Make a Plan for Persons with Access and Functional Needs.
