With last season’s catastrophic hurricane season in mind – 17 named storms and 10 hurricanes, six of which were major – Lake County Emergency Management officials are reminding residents to be vigilant in preparing this year.
Experts are predicting the upcoming hurricane season to be near average, but Floridians should continue to prepare for a major storm. In fact, emergency management officials are encouraging residents to take steps now to help keep their families safe during severe weather.
“While Lake County was not the worst hit area affected by Irma, we still experienced nearly $40 million in damage and months of debris cleanup,” said Tommy Carpenter, Lake County Emergency Management director. “This hurricane, again, was proof that it only takes one storm to create a dangerous situation, and preparedness is key in protecting life and property.”
In Lake County, hurricane hazards may include heavy rainfall, high winds, inland flooding and tornadoes. And some hazards may come with little to no warning.
Emergency management officials are encouraging residents to develop a family communication plan and decide on a meeting location during an emergency. They also say it’s extremely important to prepare a disaster kit that includes personal, medical and legal documents.
Residents going to emergency shelters need to plan on bringing with them food and water for three days, medication, bedding and important documents. Pets at pet-friendly shelters must be transported in their own carriers and must be up-to-date on vaccines, so it’s important to prepare pets now.
Officials are reminding residents that evacuating to an emergency shelter should always be a last resort. Everyone – especially those living in manufactured homes – should have a safe shelter plan before an emergency strikes that includes access to a friend or relative’s site-built, fortified home. And those living in manufactured homes should make sure they have ample time to get to their designated safe space when severe weather is predicted.
To be notified quickly of weather emergencies, residents should purchase a battery-powered NOAA weather radio and sign up to receive local notifications, such as those offered through Lake County’s AlertLake emergency alert system. Signing up is free, quick, easy and secure at alertlake.com.
For more information about Lake County’s Emergency Management office, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/emergency. You also can follow Emergency Management at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFLEmergencyManagement and www.twitter.com/lakeemergency.