Hurricane FL Preparedness

Specifically For Florida , but useful none the less

Specifically For Florida When is Hurricane Season? June 1 - November 30 New! Hurricane Season 2007 - Animation of How the Storms Destroy What Is A Hurricane? A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which generally forms in the tropics and is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows: TROPICAL DEPRESSION An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds* of 38 mph or less TROPICAL STORM An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph HURRICANE An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher What Are The Hurricane Hazards? STORM SURGE - is water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the mean water level 15 feet or more. INLAND FLOODING - In the last 30 years, inland flooding has been responsible for more than half the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States. HIGH WINDS - Hurricane-force winds can destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs, roofing material, and small items left outside become flying missiles in hurricanes. TORNADOES - Hurricanes can produce tornadoes that add to the storm's destructive power. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane. What Should I Do When A Watch or Warning Is Issued? When a HURRICANE WATCH is issued for your part of the coast this indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan, and proactive measures should be initiated especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc. When a HURRICANE WARNING is issued for your part of the coast this indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing proactive actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm. What Actions Should You Take To Be Prepared? Have a family disaster plan and disaster supply kit. Build or identify a Safe-Room in your Home Purchase and use a NOAA Weather Radio in your home with a tone alert feature. This will allow you to receive warnings issued by your local National Weather Service office. Inquire if your Community is StormReady.  Hurricane Season - Family Preparedness Hurricanes - Evacuate or Stay? Family  & Individual Disaster Preparedness What to do when a Hurricane Watch is Issued Hurricane - A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety Flood - A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety Against the Wind - Protecting Your Home From Hurricane Wind Damage (PDF) Avoiding Hurricane Damage -  A Checklist For Homeowners (PDF) Hurricane Fact Sheet - from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (PDF) Where Can You Go For Up-To-Date Info? TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK - intended for the general public and describes the state of the tropics. It includes a discussion of areas of disturbed weather and their potential for development over the next 48 hours. 6-HOUR NHC FORECAST SUITE PUBLIC ADVISORIES - intended for the general public and describe the storm and its expected hazards. They are also used to issue watches & warnings. FORECAST/ADVISORIES - provide forecasts of the wind fields around the storm (formerly known as the Marine Advisory). DISCUSSIONS - are meant primarily for other forecasters, but are useful because they provide insight into the forecaster's reasoning and confidence. STRIKE PROBABILITY FORECASTS - describe the probability of a cyclone coming within 65 NM (75 mi.) of various locations during the next 72 hours. AS NEEDED PRODUCTS HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENTS describe expected local impacts. Issued as needed by your local NWS forecast office and from the NHC. INLAND HIGH WIND WATCHES & WARNINGS provide information about hurricane-force winds at inland locations. These are of particular interest to those that are vulnerable to High Winds (i.e., mobile and manufactured home owners). Issued as needed by your local NWS forecast office. TORNADO WATCH - Issued to alert the public that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area.  These watches are issued with information concerning the watch area and the length of time they are in effect. TORNADO WARNING - Issued by local NWS offices to warn the public that a tornado has been sighted by storm spotters or has been indicated by radar.   These warnings are issued with information concerning where the tornado is presently located and what communities are in the anticipated path of the tornado. Storm Coordination Procedures for Emergency Managers Timeline for Hurricane Products Hurricane Planning Information State of Florida Procedure for Regional Evacuations Understanding Hurricane/Tropical Storm Probabilities C omputer-based course, FEMA's Community Hurricane Preparedness       Storm Watch Pages Heat Wave  Tornadoes Thunderstorms Floods Saffir-Simpson Scale   TS 39-73 mph (Alberto 1994) CAT 1  74-95 mph (Irene 1999) CAT 2  96-110 mph (Georges 1998) CAT 3  111-130 mph (Opal 1995) CAT 4  131-155 mph (Donna 1960) CAT 5  155+ mph (Labor Day 1935)   *Sustained Winds Sustained winds are defined as a 1-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface. Watch vs Warning A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the coast indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the coast indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Florida Hurricane History   IRENE 1999 (CATEGORY 1)   Irene was a typical wet October storm that moved over the Florida Keys and southeast Florida dumping from 10 to 20 inches of rain. This tremendous rainfall resulted in severe flooding. GEORGES 1998 (CATEGORY 2)   Georges made landfall in the Florida Keys with winds of 105 mph. Georges then caused extensive flooding in the Florida Panhandle with rainfall in excess of 15 - 20 inches (25 inches in Milton). Many of the rivers reached record flood levels causing extensive flooding. OPAL 1995 (CATEGORY 3)   Opal caused extensive storm surge damage from Pensacola Beach to Mexico Beach (a span of 120 miles) with a maximum storm tide of 24 feet, recorded near Fort Walton Beach. Damages were estimated near $3 billion. ANDREW 1992 (CATEGORY 4)   Andrew hit south Florida with estimated sustained winds of 145 mph and gusts in excess of 175 mph. Twenty-three people died in the U.S. due to Andrew, and the estimated property damage of $25 billion makes it the costliest hurricane in U.S. history. LABOR DAY 1935 (CATEGORY 5)   The combination of winds and tides were responsible for 408 deaths in the Florida Keys. Damage in the United States was estimated at $6 million. Today that value would exceed $2 billion. HURRICANE CHECKLISTS – BEFORE & AFTER THE STORM   Reprinted from Community Update with Permission of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.   Becker & Poliakoff's 12-point Hurricane Preparedness Checklist includes the following tips for those who need to prepare their communities for the upcoming hurricane season: 1. Disaster Plan – Do a risk analysis of potential consequences of a storm and develop a complete disaster plan, designating a responsible community member as Disaster Plan Coordinator and another as Information Facilitator to field queries and respond to from community members; 2. Evacuation Routes - Establish clear building or community evacuation routes and be sure that all community members are provided with copies or printouts and that routes are clearly marked as storms approach; conduct building or community evacuation drills in the weeks leading up to hurricane season; 3. Emergency Generators & Supplies – Be sure emergency generators are in working order and have adequate fuel supplies, stock a building or community emergency supplies storeroom with flashlights, batteries, water and other necessities for residents and employees in the aftermath of a tropical storm; 4. Backup Computer Files – Be sure that computer files crucial to running the building and association are backed up to CDs or Portable Storage Devices and keep a list of office computer hardware and software vendors and repairmen in case computers crash or systems fail; 5. Secure the Premises – Make preparations for routine lockdown of the building or other facilities as a storm approaches, so the building is secure during the storm and safe from vandalism or looting if a hurricane strikes; 6. List of Owners & Employees – Have on hand a current, hard-copy reference list complete with the names all property owners, emergency contact numbers and details of second residence addresses, as well as a list of all association employees, with full contact details; 7. Photograph or Video Premises – Keep a visual record through video or photographs of premises, facilities and buildings to facilitate damage assessment and speed damage claims in a storm aftermath; 8. Building and Facilities Plans – Make sure a complete set of building or community plans are readily available for consultation by first-responders, utilities workers and insurance adjusters following a storm;   Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.; www.becker-poliakoff.com; www.hurricane-recovery.com; (954) 987-7550; This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. This information may not reflect recent developments in the law. Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this material. Readers should not act or refrain from acting based on this information. If you have any questions, please consult with an attorney licensed by the Florida Bar.   9. Insurance Policies & Agent Details – Be sure all insurance policies are current and coverage is adequate for community property, facilities and common areas and compliant with State Law; full contact details for insurance companies and agents should be readily available in the event of a storm; 10. Bank Account Details & Signatories – Keep handy a list of all bank account numbers, branch locations and authorized association signatories, and make contingency plans for back-up signatories in case evacuation or relocation becomes necessary; 11. Mitigation of Damages – In the immediate aftermath of a storm, take the necessary steps to mitigate damages -- this includes "Drying- In," which is the placement of tarps on openings in the roof and plywood over blown out doors and windows, and " Drying –Out," which is the removal of wet carpet and drywall to prevent the growth of mold; and, 12. Debris Removal – Have a plan for speedy removal of debris by maintenance staff, outside contractors or civic public works employees, should a hurricane topple trees and leave debris in its wake.   CHECKLIST FOR COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY A HURRICANE Within hours of any disaster, affected communities will be besieged with offers by companies and individuals offering disaster recovery assistance. Resist the urge to contract with these initial offers until you have done the following:   1. Activate Your Disaster Plan. Once residents are safe, the community must begin surveying the property and assessing the damage. A designated information facilitator should set up system of information sharing among local homeowners and a disaster coordinator should serve as liaison to emergency services providers; 2. Secure your community from acts of vandalism and looting; 3. Remove storm debris to prevent accidents from occurring on the property; 4. Secure building structures to mitigate further damage; 5. Determine needs for immediate reconstruction and evaluate financing options including advances from insurance company for financial advances. BEWARE OF ANY INSURANCE COMPANY OFFERING MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR RELEASES OR SETTLEMENTS.   6. Suspend or cancel on going contracts such as lawn or pool maintenance if allowed for in your contract; 7. Review governing documents particularly anything related to "repair after casualty" provisions in the insurance section to establish process for reconstruction; 8. Initiate reconstruction planning using the five phases of reconstruction: project planning/scheduling; construction bidding; contract negotiations; construction/repair/rehabilitation; project completion/close out. 9. Review Insurance policies to determine filing requirements for proof of loss forms. 10. Meet with licensed professionals familiar with your community including: a) architect/engineer to assess damage and prepare plans; b) construction manager to oversee selection of general contractor and begin competitive bidding process; c) attorney to review insurance policies, governing documents, construction contracts and any vendor agreements; and d) public adjuster who is independent of your insurance company's adjuster who can be helpful with the nuances of an ambiguous insurance policy. Most independent adjusters work for a fee based upon percentage of insurance proceeds.   Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.; www.becker-poliakoff.com; www.hurricane-recovery.com; (954) 987-7550; This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. This information may not reflect recent developments in the law. Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this material. Readers should not act or refrain from acting based on this information. If you have any questions, please consult with an attorney licensed by the Florida Bar.   Following these ten steps will help communities recover and rebuild as quickly and effectively as possible.   Best Advice: Make sure every contract is with a Florida Licensed and Insured Contractor and that it is reviewed by a Licensed Florida Attorney, prior to signing.