Hurricane Preparation Checklist from Sarasota Florida locals

Hurricanes are a natural occurances here in Florida and while they may be scary, below are several simple steps to take to ensure you are prepared for an upcoming storm. 

• ​Make a Plan
  • Prepare an emergency supply kit.
  • Locate the nearest shelter and different routes you can take to get there from your home.
    • For a list of view Sarasota County shelters click here
  • Pet owners: Pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation. 
• Get Supplies
  • An emergency non-perishable food, water, and medicine supply.
  • Emergency power sources such as flashlights (don’t forget extra batteries).
  • First-aid kit.
  • Personal hygiene items and sanitation items.
  • Important documents, including medical documents, wills, passports, and personal identification.
  • A fire extinguisher. 
  • Lighter or matches.
  • Books, magazines, games for recreation.
• Get your car ready.
  • Fill your car’s gas tank.
  • Move cars and trucks into your garage or under cover.
• Secure Your Home
  • Clear your yard. Bring in all outdoor furniture, garbage cans, decorations, and anything else that is not tied down.
  • Cover up windows and doors. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the outside window frames to protect your windows. 
  • Fill clean water containers with drinking water. You’ll want to do this in case you lose your water supply during the storm. You can also fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.
  • Check your carbon monoxide (CO) detector’s battery.
  • If winds become strong, stay away from windows and doors and close, secure and brace internal doors.

For more information about hurricane preparation please visit: ​https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/hurricane-preparedness-guide/

The most important thing is to always be safe!