HURRICANE DISASTER PREPARATION
Dear Patients and Families,
Living in South Florida, we are all too aware that hurricanes are our most common natural disaster. To assist you during the upcoming hurricane season our Hospice staff is providing this hurricane information. Please take time to read it, and if you have questions ask your Nurse, Social Worker, or Spiritual Counselor for assistance.
Your hospice team will be asking you to complete a disaster evacuation plan to help us in assisting you in the event of a disaster and to help us locate you following the event. If your plans change, please keep us updated.
If you live in a mobile home or evacuation area, make your plans and verify them early.
If you are oxygen dependent, bedridden and must evacuate your home, ask your nurse about going to a HospiceCare of Southeast Florida designated shelter facility.
Remember, choose a safe location where an able bodied person can assist with your care. Our Staff will not be able to travel once the winds reach 40 mph. We will assist you in providing medication and equipment to meet your needs and will be back in touch with you as soon after the storm as is safely possible.
DEFINITIONS
Hurricane Definitions
Eye: The usually relatively calm center of a hurricane where winds are light and skies can appear partly cloudy to clear. The average eye diameter is about 20 miles, though the range can be 5 – 60 miles. This period of calm can last minutes to hours depending of the size of the hurricane and your location in relationship to the eye. (i.e. on the outer boundary of the eye you may have only minutes)Eye Wall: The organized band of intense convection immediately surrounding the eye of a hurricane. The strongest winds are found in the eye wall.
Storm Surge: Storm surge is an increase in the ocean's level and can come ashore up to 5 hours before the storm. It can be higher than 20 feet and miles wide. It can crush waterfront homes. The surge acts like a giant bulldozer, sweeping everything in its path.
Floods: Because much of South Florida is low-lying, you can expect some flooding with hurricanes. Debris in sewer drains could pile up and cause blockage thus flooding.
Tropical Depressions can become Tropical Storms
and are given names when sustained wind speeds
reach 39 miles per hour.
Tropical Storms become Hurricanes when sustained wind speed reaches 74 miles per hour. The names are for present and future tracking and identification. Names of particularly strong and destructive storms are retired to avoid confusion in future years.
Hurricane Watch: Threat of a strike within 24 to 36 hours. A watch indicates that a storm or weather system may pose a threat to specific area.Hurricane Warning: A warning indicates that the storm's approach is imminent. In the case of a hurricane warning, one or both of these conditions are expected within 24 hours.
- A strike of sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.
- Dangerously high water or combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less that hurricane force.
Hurricane Categories
The Hurricane Power
How dangerous is it?
Category 1
Barometric pressure: 28:94
Winds: 74 – 95 mph
Storm Surge: 4 to 5 feet
Damage: Minimal – signs tree branches, power lines down etc.
Barometric Pressure: 28.50 to 28.93
Winds: 96 to 110 mph
Storm Surge: 6 to 8 feet
Damage: Moderate – larger signs, tree branches blown down.
Barometric pressure: 27.91 to 28.49
Winds: 111 to 130 mph
Storm Surge: 9 to 12 feet
Damage: Extensive, minor damage to buildings and trees blown down.
Barometric pressure: 27.17 to 27.90
Winds: 130 to 155 mph
Storm Surge: 12 to 18 feet
Damage: Extensive, major damage to buildings and trees blown down.
Barometric pressure: Less than 27.17
Winds: Higher than 155 mph
Storm Surge: Higher than 18 feet
Damage: Catastrophic, buildings, roofs and structures destroyed.
What Else Is There To Worry About?
Wind Damage to Your Property
Air borne missiles such as roof tiles, wood, and pieces of buildings cause most hurricane damage.Wind
A dry hurricane can drop as much as 5 to 7 inches whereas a slow moving hurricane can drop 2 feet of water in a short period of time.Tornadoes
Tornadoes are a special danger many come after the hurricane when you think its all clear.Electrical/Power Outages
Wind can damage power poles and transformers. Many people and businesses are left without power for weeks.Cell phones and pagers may be operational. Ham radios are used when all other systems of communication fails. Most emergency operation centers will have ham radio operators on site.
Evacuation Zones
Broward County
All Categories
If authorities order an evacuation, you must leave if:In general anyone was living east of the Intra-costal waterway and/or anyone that resides in a mobile home anywhere in the county. You live in a high-rise where winds are much stronger at higher elevations. You know your building is unsafe and you can't repair it. You use life-support equipment that requires electricity.
If an evacuation is ordered for a Category 3, 4 or 5 you must evacuate if you live east of US 1 and the previous guidelines apply.
During an emergency, call the Broward County's Emergency Management Hurricane Hotline at 954-831-4000 for more information.
Evacuation Zones
Dade County
All Hurricane Categories
Zip Codes
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33109 (All)
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Evacuation Zones Hurricane Category 4 and above
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All those previously listed for Category 2 and above Plus the following Zip Codes must evacuate: 33030 (All)33031 (All) 33032 (All) 33033 (All) 33034 (All) 33125 One mile S of NW North River Drive 33126 E of NW57th Ave & N of NW 7th Street 33142 S of NW 46th Street & W of NW 27th Ave 33143 E of SW 72nd Ave 33156 (All) 33157 (All) 33158 (All) 33170 (All) 33176 S of SW 112th Street & E of SW 97th Ave 33177 (All) 33186 (All) 33187 (All) 33196 (All)
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Plan Ahead
General Information
Deciding to evacuate – Should I or Shouldn't I?
You have no choice if you live on a barrier island, in a low lying area or in a mobile home. Evacuation is mandatory for all hurricanes and some tropical storms.If you live within a block of the Intercoastal Waterways, you should evacuate for hurricanes of Category 2 strength and above.
BE SURE TO HAVE PLENTY OF GAS IN YOUR
CAR AHEAD OF TIME AND KNOW YOUR
EVACUATION PLANS AND ROUTES
Emergency Preparedness Planning for
People with Special Needs
Who are “People with Special Needs”?
- People with special needs are those who will need advice or help in evacuating their home during an emergency due to a disability. This can include anyone with a disability, serious illness, or the need for life-support equipment that requires electricity.
- Hospice patients do have special needs
Where should Hospice patients go in response to an Evacuation Order?
People who are disabled like other residents in a community have several choices of where to go when an evacuation order is given. Here is a list of suggestions:- Leaving the area
- Staying with a friend in a safe place
- Going to a public shelter
- This is NOT recommended for any Hospice patient
- Going to a HospiceCare of Southeast Florida designated shelter
Monroe County Patients
- All Monroe County HospiceCare patients will be registered with the local Emergency Management office.
- Emergency Management will assist HospiceCare with your evacuation. HospiceCare staff will accompany you to the special needs shelter and assist with your care during the storm. Emergency management can be expected to provide you with:
- Direct warning of an evacuation
- Help in leaving a home
- Transportation to a shelter
- Transportation of equipment such as a wheelchair and oxygen
- Keep your registration form and instructions safe and handy.
Supplies for home or a shelter
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Water – 2 quarts to 1 gallon per person (per day) Ice Shelf life juice and milk boxes Canned/powdered milk Beverages Prepared/canned foods & meats Canned vegetables/fruits Dried Fruits Snacks (crackers/cookies/candy) Snack products (peanut butter, jelly etc) Cereals Sugar, salt, pepper Bread Dry and canned pet food Baby food/formula |
Hand tools: hammer, screwdrivers, etc. Duct tape to waterproof items Canvas tarps Nails (all sizes) Flashlights with extra bulbs Extra batteries Toilet paper/paper towels Matches Scissors Plastic Garbage bags Fire Extinguishers Clean change of clothes, rain gear, etc Map of the area List of phone numbers Copy of Insurance Policy |
Pets
If evacuation is necessary, shelters will not take just any kind of pet! Arrange ahead of time to have your pet registered, or arrange to leave your pet with a friend or relative. You can also place your pet in a bathroom. (Strongest room in your home)Feed your pet moist or canned food to preserve water and leave plenty of water for a day. If you remain in the home, keep your pet within sight of the family as the noise of the storm may frighten them. Keep a good supply of newspaper or litter for sanitary needs.
Be sure your pet has their ID tag on, regardless of your plans.
Hurricane Watch
- Obtain sufficient cash including small bills & coins to maintain your family when the electricity is out.
- Fill your tank with gas
- Make sure to have a portable radio with extra batteries.
- Make sure you have a flashlight with extra batteries.
- Don't wait until the last minute to evacuate.
Securing a Mobile Home
- Keep records of personal property, furnishing, etc. Take photos inside and out to assist adjusters in claims settling.
- Pack all breakables in padded cartons and place on floor. Remove bulb from lamps. Tape mirrors, place lamps and portable mirrors in bathtub, cushion top and bottom with blankets.
- Shutter window. Turn off water where it enters trailer. Open faucets and leave open. Shut off fuel lines and/or turn off gas bottles at the tanks.
- Secure the outside by anchoring objects such as garage cans, etc. Anchor mobile home with “over the top” or “frame ties”.
After the Storm
After the Storm “Play it Safe”
- Stay in your protected area until announcements are made on the radio or Television that the dangerous winds have passed. There are many dangers awaiting you in the post storm mess. Move slowly and thoughtfully.
- Located the fire extinguisher before attempting to turn power back on.
- Stay away from downed power lines and especially water puddles near downed power lines.
- Supervise children and pets
- Don't use phone except for emergencies
- Do not drink tap water until you are told it is safe to drink. You can sterilize water by using 12 drops of tincture or iodine or 16 drops of pure household bleach (hypochlorite sol'n with no additives)
- If power is off, unplug appliances to protect against power surges when power is turned back on
- Use clean up equipment safely and follow manufacturer's instructions
- Call out of town family/friends to let them know you are ok
- Avoid driving, Debris may block roads and puncture tires
- Use caution when approaching someone else's property. They may think you are a looter.
- Beware of broken or weakened tree limbs
- A storm surge or flooding can drive poisonous snakes from their usual habitats. Be on the look out for them.
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