Flagler Beach, FL - The Atlantic Hurricane season is beginning soon and the Flagler Beach Police Department (FBPD) is warning residents and providing them with preparation tips.
Atlantic Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through November 30. The FBPD reminds how unpredictable Tropical Storms, Tropical Cyclones and Hurricanes like Hurricane Matthew can be and how important it is to always be prepared.
The tips below are to help prepare residents in the event of a severe storm:
- Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan that includes your pets
- Cover all windows with permanent storm shutters or cut-to-fit 5/8” marine plywood, not tape
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed so they are more wind resistant
- Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts and make sure they are secured if they are loose
- Reinforce garage doors because the wind can can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage
- Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and all items that are not secured or tied down
- Make a plan on how and where to store your boat
- Install a generator and make sure to test it before a storm
- Keep cash handy before banks close or before ATM's lose power
- Keep important papers and documents in a waterproof container
- Charge your cell phone and camera so they are available to take pictures of any damage
- Always have a cell phone charger in your vehicle
- Fill up your gas tank because a power outage could prevent pumps from working
- Clean and fill your bathtubs and sinks with water
- Turn the settings on your refrigerator and freezer to their highest settings to keep food fresh if the power goes out
- Turn off and unplug any non-essential electronics and other electrical devices
The FBPD also emphasizes that you want to have a plan for your pets in the event of an emergency. Below are some tips for taking care of your pet before a severe storm:
- Keep in mind that pets, other than service animals, are not allowed into Red Cross disaster shelters
- Contact hotels and motels outside of your potentially affected area to understand policies on pets, especially restrictions on number, size and species
- Ask if "no pet" policies can change in the case of an emergency
- Keep a list of "pet friendly" places and their phone numbers
- Ask friends, relatives or others outside your affected area if they can look after your pets
- Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could keep pets in an emergency
- Ask shelters if they will shelter or foster pets during an emergency
If you have any questions about Hurrican Season prepardness, call the Flagler Beach Police Chief at 386-517-2020.
Other Hurricane preparedness resources are:
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