2019 WINK News Hurricane Magazine by Gulfshore Life

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T H E W E AT H E R A U T H O R I T Y

HURRICANE GUIDE 2019 The Hurricane Season Ahead How WINK News, The Weather Authority, Predicts and Tracks Hurricanes Prepare Your Family, Your Home, Your Boat and Your Pets Protect Yourself From Post-Storm Scams The Ins and Outs of Evacuating to a Shelter 1

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

HURRICANE CLEAN UP Separating Your Debris Debris should be placed curbside , without blocking the roadway or storm drains. KUP NO PIC ZONE ris Any deb m o fr d e plac alk w e id the s your toward y will propert not be . p picked u

Normal Household Trash

Normal household trash and bagged debris of any kind will not be picked up with disaster debris. You should continue to follow your normal garbage removal schedule.

VEGETATIVE DEBRIS Logs Plants Tree branches Leaves (do not put in bags) * If you have a lot of leaves and small twigs in plastic bags, please set those aside from any brush piles.

CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION DEBRIS Building materials Carpet Drywall Furniture Lumber Mattresses Plumbing

APPLIANCES & WHITE GOODS Air conditioners Dishwashers Freezers Refrigerators Stoves Washers, dryers Water heaters

ELECTRONICS Computers Radios Stereos Televisions Other devices with a cord

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Check with your local government.

* The brush will be ground into mulch, so plastic must be avoided.

DEBRIS SEPARATION

DO NOT STACK OR LEAN

UNSURE WHERE TO PLACE DEBRIS?

Separate debris into the six categories shown.

Placing debris near or on trees, poles, or other structures makes

If you don’t have a sidewalk, ditch, or utility line in front of your house, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HURRICANE CLEAN UP Storm debris includes any trees, tree limbs and shrubs that went down in the hurricane. Regular household trash is what you would throw away in a typical week.

When will the storm debris be collected from my curb and what should I do to prepare? When will my regular household collections resume?

Regular collections of garbage, recycling and your normal weekly yard waste resume as soon as it is safe for collection crews to do so.

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Prepare your property for storm season before June 1  Cut back any trees or branches that contact your house, pool cage, shed or other buildings.  Thin foliage so wind can blow freely through branches, decreasing chances the plant will become uprooted during a storm.  Place trimmings at the curb on your regular collection day. Yard waste must be containerized in an extra yard waste container, paper lawn, leaf bag, or bundled. Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected.  Charlotte County – Cans and bundles cannot weigh more than 40 lbs. each. Limbs cannot be more than 6 feet in length or 10 inches in diameter.  Collier County – Cans and bundles cannot weigh more than 50 lbs. each. Limbs cannot be more than 4 feet in length of 4 inches in diameter. A total of ten 45-gallon containers or ten bundles of yard waste may be placed curbside.  Lee County – Cans and bundles cannot weigh more than 50 lbs. each. Limbs cannot be more than 6 feet in length. Up to 50 lbs. of unbundled palm fronds may be placed at the curb.  Clean your property of any items that could become a projectile during a storm, such as old lumber, broken lawn furniture, etc., and place them at the curb on your regular waste collection day.

Once a storm has been named or a hurricane watch / warning has been issued:  Do not cut down trees and do not do any major yard work. Mass cutting produces a burden on the normal collection process.  Do not begin construction projects that produce debris unless absolutely necessary to protect life and property.  Secure all debris and do not place materials of any kind at the curb during a Watch or Warning period.  Services may be suspended and facilities closed early to prepare for the storm. For information on the status of collection services and disposal facilities, residents should monitor local media or check the county government websites.

After the storm has passed:  Most important – keep storm debris separate from your regular household garbage and recycling.  Storm debris should be sorted into separate piles for garbage, yard waste, appliances, furniture & other bulky waste, appliances and construction debris as shown in the diagram to the left. Check with your local government regarding set out of household hazardous waste.  Pick up will generally be done with a mechanized claw truck so it’s important that you not set debris over buried electric/phone lines, water meters, hydrants or mailboxes. Inspectors will tour each part of the county to determine where collection needs are greatest.  Be patient. Following a storm, the No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our community and restoration of the county. When collection services resume, place garbage curbside away from storm-related debris on your regular collection service day.  Debris collection guidance and recovery process updates will be available through local media and on county government websites.

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PREPARATION

A Message from Jim Farrell JIM FARRELL WINK News Chief Meteorologist

he 2019 hurricane season is now upon us. And for the next six months we will be monitoring the tropics, watching for any tropical depression, storm or hurricane that can impact Southwest Florida. We were lucky last year. It was an above-average season with 15 tropical storms, eight hurricanes and two major hurricanes. But Southwest Florida was spared the effect of a land-falling system. Of course, history proves that a major hurricane can hit us. Just think back to Charley, in 2004, Wilma, in 2005, and most recently Irma, in 2017.

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

Will another hurricane affect us this year? I can’t promise you that we won’t have heavy weather this season. While hurricane season forecasts are pretty accurate as to the number of hurricanes that will form, it’s much harder to predict where the hurricanes will go until they take shape. So we enter this new hurricane season as we do every season: We don’t know if Southwest Florida will be hit, but we do know how to prepare. Look through this guide, save it and use it throughout season. If a storm should hit, my best advice is that you evacuate if told to do so. Evacuations are mandated because there is a threat of deadly storm surge. Also, know where you will be going now so that you have a plan. You don’t want to wait until a hurricane is on the way before deciding on a destination to avoid the storm. Remember that you don’t have to leave Southwest Florida to move to a safer place. Seeking shelter with a friend or relative in a safer area is a great option. Also, you can book a hotel room in a higher, drier neighborhood to ride out the worst effects of the hurricane. Think about these details today when the sky is sunny and the wind is light. Trust WINK News, The Weather Authority, to deliver accurate information and to guide you through the next big storm. The WINK News weather team will be here 24/7. Together we’ll make it through this season. Let’s have a safe 2019. •

WINK 2019 HURRICANE GUIDE EDITOR

Michael Oricchio CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jerry Pomales

NEWS DIRECTOR

Tom Doerr

CHIEF METEROLOGIST

Jim Farrell

STAFF WRITER

Tess Raines

CONTRIBUTORS

Janine Albert Bob Byrne Matt Devitt Zach Maloch Brooke Silverang Nicole Stewart Brittany Van Voorhees Scott Zedeker ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Felipe Echeverria

CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR

David Weaver

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Craig P. Hildebrand, The Shoot Group Inc. CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Graham Hutchings

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Martha Leavitt

PRODUCTION SERVICES MANAGER

Ankita Joshi

ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER/ REPRINT SALES

Kathleen Hill

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Kerri Nolan

ADDITIONAL COPIES Contact Kathleen Hill khill@gulfshorelife.com (239) 449-4129 Go to winknews.com for pdf version

So we enter this new hurricane season as we do every season: We don’t know if Southwest Florida will be hit, but we do know how to prepare.

COPYRIGHT This publication contains general information only. The information has been gathered from various sources believed to be reliable, but not intended to be a substitute for advice from a safety expert. Fort Myers Broadcasting Company shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions © 2019 by: Fort Myers Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved.

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COLUMNS

FEATURES

A Message from Jim Farrell The chief meteorologist for WINK News, The Weather Authority, offers his advice on how to prepare for this hurricane season.

Be Ready for the Storm Peter T. Gaynor, FEMA’s acting administrator, offers key points to keep in mind before, during and after a storm hits.

Be Proactive, Not Reactive U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R—Naples, looks at what past hurricanes can teach us about being prepared in the future.

The Hurricane Season Ahead This year Floridians could see an Atlantic hurricane season characterized by slightly below-average storm activity.

On the Clock With this hurricane prep timeline you’ll be ready for anything.

Eyeing the Storm How WINK News, The Weather Authority, predicts and tracks hurricanes.

Review Your Insurance Knowing the details of your insurance policies can be critical when dealing with the aftermath of a storm.

Evacuating to a Shelter What you need to know before you leave your home for a shelter.

Be Ready, Be Safe Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell illustrates how preparation and planning can keep you, your family and friends safe during the roughest of weather.

The Storm is Over Although a hurricane may have passed, dangers can still exist after the storm.

Preparing Your Family The essentials for getting your family ready if a hurricane is going to hit, from communication plans to supply lists.

Prepare Your Home Fortifying your home for a storm can involve taking precautions both big and small. Prepare Your Boat Boats are particularly vulnerable to damage during tropical storms. Here’s how to best protect yours.

Before and After Care Larry Antonucci, Lee Health president and CEO, examines how the proper prep work can help you to stay healthy this hurricane season.

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Protect Yourself From Scams Areas hit by hurricanes can be fertile environments for fraudsters and scammers.

THE GUIDE

The Guide for the Hurricane Season The 2019 WINK News Hurricane Guide is your essential source for storm information.

Wind and Water Storm surges, tornadoes and other hazards.

Learn These Terms These common meteorological terms may help you understand the hurricane season ahead.

This Won’t be a Party: Know Your Risks Hurricanes are not spectator events. Take them—and the dangers associated with them— seriously.

United Way’s Frequently Asked Questions When storms hit, the United Way fields all sorts of questions. These are the queries workers hear most often.

Dangers of Electricity Following a hurricane, electrical equipment, downed power lines and household wiring can all pose hazards if not dealt with properly.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale How the experts rate a storm’s intensity.

Post-Hurricane Safety Concerns Tips on everything from health care and food safety to mold and mosquitos.

Hurricane Tracking Chart This pull-out map shows you the areas of the Atlantic where hurricanes can form. Evacuation Zones Find the zone your home is in on this handy map.

Area Shelters and Refuges of Last Resort Where to find the closest shelters throughout Southwest Florida. Important Phone Numbers and Websites The numbers and sites you need to know when a hurricane is on the horizon.

Always There WINK News, The Weather Authority, stays with you wherever you go.

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PREPARATION

The Guide for the Hurricane Season

2019 WINK News Hurricane Guide Is Your Essential Source for Storm Information

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

ou’ve heard it so many times that by now it’s a universal truth: If you live in Southwest Florida, then you live in paradise. But even paradise has its price, and we pay it every hurricane season from June 1 to Nov. 30. Some years that price is low. Other years it’s devastatingly high. Those particularly destructive seasons live in our memories along with the names of the storms they bore—Irma, Michael, Matthew, Katrina, Rita, Charley and Wilma. Anyone who’s been through one or more of those hurricanes would never want to relive the experience and the overwhelming destruction that came with it. They know that a single hurricane can reduce homes into rubble, turn 30-foot trees into timber and transform towns into disaster areas. The time to prepare for a hurricane is now. Waiting until a storm is imminent is too late. This guide was put together by WINK News, The Weather Au-

thority, with the help of editors and writers from Gulfshore Life magazine, to help you make the right preparations right now for the season ahead. Please keep a copy of the 2019 WINK News Hurricane Guide handy throughout the next several months and use it to help plan for protecting your family, your home and your property. It will help you to assess the kinds of supplies you will need, to devise a communication plan, to put together an evacuation strategy and to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane. If you take away anything from this publication it should be that preventative measures are the best investments you can make when it comes to surviving another hurricane season unscathed. Remain vigilant. Stay informed. Plan wisely. And together we’ll all make it through the months ahead. •

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T PREPARATION

The Hurricane Season Ahead 10

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his year, Floridians could see an Atlantic hurricane season—the period from June 1 to Nov. 30— characterized by slightly below-average storm activity, according to an early forecast released by the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University in April. Of course, this forecast could be subject to change as the season progresses and fronts begin to form. And, scientists and meteorologists warn that even dur-

“Regardless of what the seasonal forecast says, everybody who lives in a hurricaneprone area has to be ready to be affected by a storm.” —Michael Brennan, the National Hurricane Center ing a season marked by below-average activity, all it takes is one hurricane to cause devastating damage. They recommend that residents get ready as they would

they are trying to form, he explains. The forecast, however, should 2019 Storm Names not lull anyone into a false sense These are the names that will of security and certainly shouldn’t be used for tropical storms be seen as guideline for how to that form in the Atlantic prepare for the season, experts Ocean during the 2019 Hurrisay. cane Season. “It’s an informational tool, not a Lorenzo  Andrea  preparedness tool. People want to Melissa  Barry  know how active the season is goNestor  Chantal  ing to be. We can give you some Olga  Dorian  information on that. In terms of Pablo  Erin  preparedness, you need to be preRebekah  Fernand  pared the same every hurricane Sebastien  Gabrielle  season,” Klotzbach says. Tanya  Humberto  “You can go through a season Van  Imelda  like 2005, where in certain parts Wendy Jerry  of the U.S. it was completely borKaren  ing, nothing happened to them,” he explains, and yet the Gulf was struck by hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita. sons when there aren’t as ma“Then there are other years like ny storms as there are in other 1992. That was kind of dud of a years across the whole basin, all hurricane season, we only had one that matters is if there’s a storm major hurricane,” Klotzbach adds. that affects you. Even if that is “But if you lived in Miami or Dade the only impactful storm of the County in ’92, it was a very active year, if it affects your area, then season for you. That it becomes a busy seawas Hurricane Andrew. son for you,” Brennan According to … There’s only so much explains. “So everybody CSU’s early who lives along the forecast we can we can tell you.” One of the things that coast of Florida certain- expect to see: scientists can tell you ly has to be prepared is that storm activity every season to be afpeaks in August, Sepfected. Just as we’ve named storms (the tember and October seen over the last couaverage is 12.1) and that just as every ple of years, we’ve had storm is different, so is some devastating hurricane impacts in the hurricanes (the aver- every hurricane season. While we might be state.” age is 6.4) facing a milder season So far the outlook has this year, the last two a lot to do with the impact of El Niño, warmmajor hurricanes, or seasons—marked by hurricanes Harvey, Irer than normal water in hurricanes registerma, Maria, Michael and the central and eastern ing a Category 3 or Florence—are still fresh Pacific along the equaabove on the Saffirin our collective memotor, says Phil Klotzbach, Simpson scale (the ries. a research scientist with average is 2.7) “That hurricane risk CSU’s Department of is real and it’s real every Atmospheric Science year for everybody who and one of the three aulives in a hurricane-prone area, rethors of the 35-page early foregardless of what the seasonal forecast. When the tropical Pacific is cast is or what the last season was warmer than normal, winds at uplike,” Brennan says. “The previous per levels (say, about 30,000 feet) season doesn’t have much bearing in the atmosphere in the tropical on what’s going to happen the next Atlantic are stronger than normal, year.” • which tears apart hurricanes as

13 5

for any hurricane season, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. “The main message that we always try to get across is that, regardless of what the seasonal forecast says, everybody who lives in a hurricane-prone area has to be ready to be affected by a storm every year,” says Michael Brennan, branch chief of the Hurricane Specialist Unit at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. “Even in so-called quiet sea-

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PREPARATION

Wind and Water Storm Surges, Tornadoes and Other Hazards

hen wind and water mix during a hurricane, the result can be devastating. Here are a few hazards that could arise when these elements converge. Storm Surges Storm surges occur when water is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around a hurricane. When this advancing surge combines with the normal tides, water levels may increase by 15 feet or more. Add wind-driven waves to the mix and water levels can rise to destructive heights and cause severe flooding in coastal areas. Tornadoes Tornadoes can develop as devastating by-products of hurricanes. They often spring out of the spiraling lines of thunderstorms which extend outward from a hurricane’s center and hit the shoreline well ahead of the main storm. Meteorologists have no definite way to predict whether one hurricane will produce more tornadoes 12

than the next. Tornadoes can occur even after a hurricane has moved out of the area. They can develop for several days because of the remnants of the lowpressure system associated with them. If a tornado warning is issued, move to a small, interior room away from windows, or to an interior hallway on a lower floor. If that’s not possible, you can protect yourself by getting under heavy furniture or using a mattress to shield your body.

Avoid windows. Other Hazards Tropical storm-force winds are strong enough to be dangerous to anyone caught in them. Powerful, hurricane-force winds can easily destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Any debris can become flying missiles. Damage to trees, towers, water lines, underground utility lines (from uprooted trees) and fallen utility poles can cause considerable problems. High-

rise buildings are also vulnerable to hurricaneforce winds, particularly at the upper levels. Research suggests you should stay below the 10th floor, but still higher than any floors at risk for flooding. The strongest winds usually occur in the right side of the eye wall of the hurricane. Wind speed usually decreases significantly within 12 hours after landfall. Nonetheless, winds can stay above hurricane strength well inland. •

Learn These Terms Center The vertical axis of a tropical cyclone, usually defined by the location of minimum wind or minimum pressure. Eye The relatively calm area in the center of a hurricane. It can range from 5 to more than 50 miles wide. Eye Wall A doughnutshaped zone of the highest winds and heavy rain surrounding the eye. Feeder Bands Thunderstorms that spiral into and around the center of a tropical system. A typical storm may have three or more bands, usually 40 to 80 miles apart. Hurricane Warning Issued when hurricane conditions—winds of 74 mph or greater—are expected within 36 hours. Hurricane Watch Issued when hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

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Landfall When the surface center of a tropical cyclone intersects with the coastline. Major Hurricane A storm with highest winds of 111 mph or more. Right Front Quadrant In our hemisphere, this is the most destructive part of a hurricane, usually having the strongest winds, roughest seas and highest storm surges. This section of the storm is located in the eyewall to the right of the eye, based on the direction in which the storm is traveling. Storm Surge This occurs when water is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. When this advancing surge combines with the normal tides, water levels may increase by as much as 15 feet or more. Tropical Cyclone The rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms

that originates over warm tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation. These powerful storms are characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds and heavy rain. Tropical Depression This forms when a low-pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms that produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained speeds of less than 39 mph. Tropical Disturbance An area of thunderstorms that keeps its intensity for at least 24 hours. Tropical Storm A warmcentered, low-pressure circulation with highest sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph. Wind Shear Upper level winds that can blow the tops off hurricanes, weakening or destroying them.

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A Category 3 storm can propel trees and tree limbs through windows and roofs while taking down power lines and destroying smaller homes. A Category 5 monster packs enough wallop to cause complete building failure. A storm of any size has the potential to cause flooding just about anywhere. In 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall Sept. 10 on Marco Island

After every recent hurricane, the people who chose to treat storm danger lightly often found themselves waiting in long lines in the blazing sun for ice, food and water.

PREPARATION

This Won’t Be a Party: Know Your Risks 14

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urricanes are potentially deadly. Still, some people refuse to take seriously the dangers associated with them. Hurricane season is hardly the time to stock up on beer and snacks, sit back and enjoy the show. After every recent hurricane, the people who chose to treat storm danger lightly often found themselves waiting in long lines in the blazing sun for ice, food and water. Or they were left to rely on the kindness of neighbors and friends who had the good sense to properly prepare for a hurricane and its aftermath. Hurricanes are storms of awesome power that have the potential to destroy property and take lives. They should never be taken lightly. This won’t be a party. Just how bad could a landfalling hurricane be?

as a Category 3 storm. All told, 129 people were killed in the hurricane, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Hurricane Center estimated that the storm cost the United States about $50 billion in overall damage. State officials ordered 6.5 million Floridians to evacuate, with 77,000 of them finding refuge in 450 shelters, according to The Wall Street Journal. In the end, Irma was one of the the most powerful Atlantic storms in recorded history. It was followed the next year by Hurricane Michael, the strongest storm to ever hit the Florida panhandle, according to multiple news accounts. The costs of that storm could top $25 billion according to Bloomberg News and it led to about 47 deaths, local authorities say. Hardly spectator events. Know the risks. Understand the potential for death and destruction a hurricane can pose. Do what you can to get out of harm’s way, if evacuations are ordered. Remember, the better party would be the one you have after the storm to celebrate the survival of your family and friends. •

Hurricane Damage?

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PREPARATION

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale 1

980-994

965-979

945-964

920-944

Less than 920

74-95

96-110

111-129

130-156

157+

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage

Devastating damage will occur

Catastrophic damage will occur

People, Livestock and Pets

Possibility of getting struck by flying or falling debris that could injure or kill

Substantial risk of injury or death to people, livestock and pets due to flying or falling debris

High risk of injury or death to people, livestock and pets due to flying or falling debris

Very high risk of injury or death to people, livestock and pets due to flying or falling debris

Very high risk of injury or death due to flying or falling debris even if indoors

Mobile Homes

Older mobile homes (pre1994) could be destroyed, especially if they are not anchored properly

Older mobile homes (pre1994) have a very high chance of being destroyed. Newer ones are at risk

Nearly all older mobile homes (pre-1994) will be destroyed. Most newer mobile homes will sustain damage

Nearly all older and newer mobile homes will be destroyed

Almost complete destruction of mobile homes

Some poorly constructed homes can experience damage

Some poorly constructed homes have a high chance of damage

Poorly constructed homes can be destroyed by the removal of roof and exterior walls

Poorly constructed homesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; walls can collapse and roof structures can be lost

High percentage of homes will be destroyed

Some buildingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roofs and siding coverings could be removed

Unreinforced masonry walls can collapse

High percentage of roof and siding damage

High percentage of damage to top floors. Steel frames can collapse

High percentage of buildings will be destroyed

Large branches of trees will snap and shallowrooted trees can be toppled

Many shallowrooted trees will be snapped or uprooted

Most trees will snap or uproot and power poles will be downed

Nearly all trees will snap or uproot and power poles will be downed

Power and Water

Extensive damage to powerlines and poles. Power outages for a few days

Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last for days to weeks

Electricity and water will be unavailable for days to weeks after the storm

Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks

Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks to months

Example

Hurricane Dolly (2008)

Hurricane Frances (2004)

Hurricane Ivan (2004)

Hurricane Irma (2017)

Hurricane Andrew (1992)

Category Barometric Pressure (Millibars) Winds (MPH) Summary

Frame Homes

Apartments, Shopping Centers and Buildings

Trees

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale rates storms by categories 1 through 5 based on their intensity. These categories may change as a hurricane becomes stronger or weaker during the course of the storm.

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Zone A Zone B Zone C Zone D Zone E

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Southwest Florida Evacuation Zones Do you know your zone? This map charts the various evacuation zones throughout Southwest Florida. These zones mark the areas of the region vulnerable to damage from a hurricane or tropical storm according to the most susceptible to danger to the least. As you may have guessed, Zone A is the most vulnerable. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find areas of low elevation in this zone, making it liable to bear the full brunt of potentially fatal storm surges, rough water, crashing waves and very high winds. Typically this is the first zone called to evacuate. The other zones, B through E, run the gamut from very vulnerable to minimally susceptible to hurricane damage and will be called to evacuate according to that ranking.

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he best way to withstand any future storm is to be prepared now. As the acting FEMA administrator and an emergency manager for more than a decade, I want to share with you four tips to help you and your family be ready before, during and after a storm strikes your community. FEMA is committed to increasing individual and community disaster preparedness. We believe that this is a shared responsibility that involves every individual, every level of government and the private and non-profit sector. To adequately prepare yourself and your family, you need to be aware of the risks where you live, be financially prepared, have a plan in place and know how and where to get information from your local and state officials. First, be aware of where you live. This means you should know your area’s risk for hurricanes and understand if you live in an evacuation zone. You can receive important messages by signing up for your community’s warning system and watching out for emergency alerts from the Emergency Alert System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio. Also, it is important to note that evacuations are more common than people realize. Many communities, possibly yours, have designated evacuation routes and some even have evacuation zones. Understanding these routes and zones prior to a hurricane threatening your area will help ensure your

To adequately prepare yourself and your family, you need to be aware of the risks where you live, be financially prepared, have a plan in place and know how and where to get information from your local and state officials. 20

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PREPARATION

Be Ready for the Storm PETER T. GAYNOR Acting Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

family’s safety. Second, you need to be financially prepared. Obtaining insurance is one of the smartest steps you can take to prepare for disasters. For example, flood, homeowners and renters insurance are the best ways to ensure a swift financial recovery following a storm. After Hurricane Harvey, an average Individual Assistance grant from FEMA was $7,000, while an average National Flood Insurance Program claim was more than $100,000. Another way to be financially prepared is by saving a dollar a day, or whatever amount you can. Sav-

ing small amounts of money over time will add up and certainly come in handy during and after a disaster for items such as gas, food and supplies. Third, make a plan for your family or household, including your pets. Create a plan to evacuate or shelter in place, factoring in your location, your community’s emergency procedures and your own personal needs. A couple of questions to consider when developing these plans are: How will I receive local emergency alerts and warnings? What is my shelter plan? What is my evacuation route? What is my communications plan for my family or household? Remember, you may not be with your family, friends or roommates when disasters strike, so it is important to discuss how you will contact one another and reconnect if separated. You can learn more on how to make a plan at ready.gov/makea-plan. Lastly, always heed warnings from your local and state officials, as they know your community best. For example, if told to evacuate, it is important to do so immediately and only travel on designated evacuation routes. Additionally, it is important not to return home until you are told that it is safe to do so by your local officials. Following their directions could mean the difference between life and death. Whether it be through cable news, radio or social media, you need to understand the best way for you and your family to receive direction and alerts from the appropriate authorities. Floridians endured three hurricanes throughout 2017 and 2018–Nate, Irma and Michael. The past two disaster seasons were catastrophic in terms of loss of life and devastation to property. We want you to be ready for this hurricane season as well as assure you that FEMA will always be here to support your state and local officials in their efforts to keep you and your communities safe. •

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PREPARATION

On the Clock

With This Hurricane Prep Timeline You’ll Be Ready for Anything

eady.gov, the website of the Ready public service advertising campaign produced by the Ad Council and the Department of Homeland Security, offers this timeline for how and when to prepare for a hurricane on the www.ready.gov/hurricanes webpage. Here’s what they suggest:

NOW

Know your area’s risk of hurricanes. [ Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. [ If you are at risk for flash flooding, watch for warning signs such as heavy rain. [ Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds, such as a FEMA safe room or an International Code Council 500 storm shelter, the recognized standard for buildings or spaces designed as shelters from hurri[

canes. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding. [ Based on your location and community plans, make your own plans for evacuation or sheltering in place. [ Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route and shelter locations. [ Gather needed supplies for at least three days. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication.

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

Don’t forget the needs of pets. [ Keep important documents in a safe place or create password-protected digital copies. [ Protect your property. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves in plumbing to prevent backups. Consider hurricane shutters. Review insurance policies.

36 hours

When a hurricane is 36 hours from arriving [ Turn on your TV or

radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions. [ Restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash and first aid supplies. [ Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually

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reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded. [ Review your evacuation zone, evacuation route and shelter locations. Plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead. [ Keep your car in good working condition and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes. [ If you have flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program, your policy may cover up to $1,000 in loss avoidance measures, like sandbags and water pumps, to protect your insured property. You should keep copies of all receipts and a record of the time spent performing the work. They should be submitted to your insurance adjuster when you file a claim to be reimbursed.

best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior-grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.

18-6 hours

When a hurricane is 6 to 18 hours from arriving [ Turn on your TV and radio or check your city and county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency

broken windows could injure you. [ Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is restored. [ Turn on your TV and radio or check your city and county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather

AFTER

18 hours

When a hurricane is 18 to 36 hours from arriving [ Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions. [ Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (such as patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (such as propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building. [ Cover all the windows of your home. Permanent storm shutters offer the 24

highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water. [ Listen for current emergency information and instructions. [ Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors ONLY and away from windows. [ Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around. Don’t drown. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. [ Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.

instructions. Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.

[

6 hours

When a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving [ If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or remain where you are. Let friends and family know your whereabouts. [ Close storm shutters and stay away from windows. Flying glass from

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

updates and emergency instructions.

0 hours

Survive During [ If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades. [ If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, ICC 500 storm shelter or a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding. [ If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the

Listen to authorities for information and special instructions. [ Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing and work with someone else. [ Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock. [ Avoid wading in flood water, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water. [ Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends. [ Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance. •

United Way’s Frequently Asked Questions When a hurricane is approaching, the State Emergency Operations Center works closely with United Way, the umbrella group for nearly 100 nonprofit agencies throughout Southwest Florida, to communicate urgent information and the proper course of action for the sorts of situations residents may face during a storm. Under normal circumstances, United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties operates United Way 211, a confidential, non-emergency hotline that refers callers to various social service agencies. But when a hurricane is expected to make landfall, United Way not only operates the 211 program, it also activates a storm line for area residents with any hurricane-related questions to call in and immediately receive information on hurricane preparedness and survival. Callers would still dial 2-1-1 and be automatically directed to the storm line. United Way President Cliff Smith refers to it as the “official storm hotline.” Frequently Asked Questions from the Storm Hotline During Hurricane Irma The types of questions callers ask vary according to the proximity of the hurricane. According to Smith, many people called in during the different stages of Hurricane Irma to get the latest updates on storm development and preparation procedures. AS THE STORM APPROACHES Where can I find sandbags? Sandbags are available at most fire stations. What evacuation zone am I in? For evacuation zones, see pages 18 and 19. They can also be located by county on FloridaDisaster.org, or on a local news channel.

BEFORE LANDFALL Which shelters are open, and which ones take pets? Emergency management officials will announce the available shelters when the hurricane is approaching landfall. Only certain shelters will make arrangements to accommodate pets and those with special needs, so these factors must be taken into consideration. For more about shelters, see pages 60 and 61. Do I need to evacuate? This depends on the power of the

storm. If local officials release an evacuation order, you should evacuate. Once it was clear that Irma was going to impact the state, the most common questions asked were about evacuation and shelters. “In Irma, that was a majority of the calls for quite a while,” Smith says. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM Where can I find food and water? Direct assistance agencies will typically be out in the community giving out these items. Smith explained that there are usually direct assistance agencies that help provide food and water following a hurricane. These agen-

cies include the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Harry Chapin Food Bank, who set up mobile food stations in Lehigh and Bonita Springs after Irma. United Way contacts these organizations first to ensure what supplies they have on hand. DAYS AND WEEKS AFTER THE STORM Where and how do I apply for aid from FEMA? Contact the United Way 211 line. They refer to FEMA and receive frequent updates on procedures. Questions still trickled in after the full impact of the storm had been felt, and these were often the most difficult to receive. The 211 line would be contacted by those who were now searching for work or wanting to apply to FEMA for disaster assistance. For questions like these, Smith says that the United Way team “encouraged all the agencies to keep us updated.” United Way remained proactive throughout the entirety of the Irma experience. They consistently reached out to different agencies like FEMA to gather necessary information that would enable the community to take steps forward. They sought details like eligibility criteria and availability of supplies before sending people anywhere, ensuring that their information was accurate and helpful. Based on all the questions and concerns that United Way’s 211 storm line program received during Irma, Smith was left with one conclusion: “You really have to have a plan. You can’t wait until you hear on the news that it’s a day out.” Thankfully, dozens of agencies are available through United Way to assist hurricane victims in recovering their livelihood. “We have a team of people who make sure that if you need help,” Smith says, “you get the help that you need.” •

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urricanes are one of nature’s most powerful forces and remain largely unpredictable. Thankfully WINK News, The Weather Authority, helps take some of the guesswork out of what to expect.

Pinpointing the Perfect Hurricane Ingredients Even before the hurricane season officially begins on June 1, the members of the WINK News Weather Authority team are already keeping their eyes peeled for activity in the Atlantic. When it comes to predicting and tracking hurricanes, keen observation and

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

PREPARATION

Eyeing the Storm

How WINK News, The Weather Authority, Predicts and Tracks Hurricanes

advanced software are essential during every phase of the storm. “Viewers don’t care until there’s a threat,” says Jim Farrell, WINK News chief meteorologist with more than 39 years of experience in his field. “So if I’m doing all this about some clouds and they don’t really care, they’re not paying attention or they’re going to flip away, I think. But if Irma is coming and the global models show that it’s coming to South Florida, well then now they’re really tuned in.” Several components must come together to generate the early stages of a hurricane. The most

important are warm water, low wind shear and tropical moisture. The Weather Authority will take a hard look at each to try to determine what might be on the way. “You first look, sometimes even weeks and months in advance, at a lot of ingredients that produce tropical systems. First of which is the water temperatures—it’s basically the power in the fuel for them to grow and thrive and if the water temperatures are cooler, that’s less power. If it’s warmer, that’s more power for them to grow and possibly become a hurricane,” WINK News meteorologist Matt

Devitt explains. The second factor indicating a potential hurricane is wind shear. Wind shear is marked by a change in wind speed or direction in a small space of time, and it can occur at high or low levels. Think of it as a sudden sharp and powerful burst of air in any given direction. Devitt defines wind shear in simple terms: “It basically is winds that, as you go high up in the atmosphere, start to increase and they get faster and faster and faster.” The higher the wind shear, the better. The power and speed of high wind shear can allow it to rip through the hurricane and break it apart. “If there is wind shear, then that’s really a big hurdle,” says WINK News meteorologist Scott Zedeker. Devitt adds that once a hurricane moves into a high-windshear environment, “they actually start to weaken and in some cases they get completely shredded apart.” The last important factor is tropical moisture. All tropical systems thrive off humidity. This level of moisture is largely dependent on … well, whatever is happening in Africa. “Africa can blow a lot of dry, dusty air to the west in the Atlantic,” Devitt says. The right amount of this dry, dusty air can “choke off storm development,” he adds. Heavy tropical moisture, combined with low wind shear and warm waters, are the catalysts for hurricane development. “It’s almost like a recipe,” Devitt notes. But all these factors must come together at just the right time, in just the right amount. “It’s a lot harder for a hurricane to form and get stronger than one to dissipate,” Zedeker observes. Should a storm still appear, efficient preparation is key. There won’t be time to dawdle because then you’ll be running on a timeline, determined by the forecast cone. That’s the probable track of the center of a tropical cyclone, formed by enclosing the area swept out by a set of circles along a forecast track, according to the National Hurricane Center. The re-

”If it impacts your livelihood, life of your family or where you live, that’s our goal, is to keep you safe and protected from all weather elements.” —Matt Devitt sulting track forms a cone. “Once it becomes a tropical storm, there will be a forecast cone, the five-day cone,” Farrell says. “That’s when it starts to become interesting.” Software and Technology at Work Advanced forecasting technology is used to spot any potential storms that develop in the Atlantic. If a storm is located and continues to gain speed and strength, a sequential lineup of software is used to monitor its intensity as it travels. These models run off a computer algorithm that uses raw data, such as temperature and speed, to predict the storm’s next steps. The WINK News Meteorologists Refer First to Global Models. “The global models are super important and indispensable for longer-range predictions,” Farrell says. They can register a potential storm 10 days out, which allows the team to form an accurate prediction of the system’s path of travel, based on the trends and patterns the storm is exhibiting. There are several types of global models internationally, but the American and European models are the two most commonly used by WINK. Each of these models is developed under their respective governments and then continuously monitored through different weather agencies. The American model, for instance, is managed under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Scientists working for each weather agency develop equations to plug into a supercomputer, that WINK THE WEATHER AUTHORITY

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will then generate a model showing the projected path. Devitt likes to look to the European model, created by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, for information on hurricane activity. “The European model is statistically the most accurate in the world, but it’s not always correct,” he says. “You have to look at some of the other models to see what they have to say on it.” Nonetheless, the European model predicted Irma’s path with near-perfect precision. “The main way it was accurate was in the track. I would say for about 80 percent of Irma’s life, the European model was the one that was most accurate, that won, at least when compared to the American,” Devitt says. He notes that the European model also anticipated Irma increasing in strength as it traveled. When a hurricane is two or three days out, the team turns to the Rapid Precision Mesoscale (RPM) model for closer look. The RPM model is produced for WINK News by The Weather Company, which provides satellite images and national radar. “It is a blend of a couple of models and some other algorithms that tries to predict wind direction, speed, fog—if there’s going to be any—rainfall and rainfall intensity,” Farrell explains. “It analyzes the atmosphere every three hours … it’s constantly updating,” Devitt adds. Once the hurricane is preparing to make landfall, the meteorology team consult their Doppler radar. “The effective range of the radar is about 200 to 250 miles. But once the hurricane, like Irma, gets within 250 miles of the radar, we’re going to see the rain. We’re going to see the eye,” Farrell says. “That’s the best, the truest way to track a hurricane: once they get into the range of Doppler radar,” says Zedeker. “Once you get a radar range, you can lock in to see where the eye itself is actually moving, and where the strongest part of the storms or hurricanes are. That’s usually a day or two out.” 28

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

The Doppler radar’s precision is especially helpful when reporting the storm’s latest updates quickly is crucial. Until Doppler radar can take effect, “you have to depend on the hurricane hunters that drop the tubes of instrumentation into the eye and the eye wall to get a fix on where it really is,” Farrell explains. “And the satellite will have an eye, but if you’re going to try and pinpoint to the degree, longitude and latitude, where that eye is, you’re not going to be as accurate as Doppler radar.” A Day In The (Hurricane) Life of a WINK News Meteorologist As the storm prepares to make

“I try to hit on the latest information first, because the National Hurricane Center will put out advisories every three to six hours, or, as it gets closer, every hour.” —Jim Farrell landfall, the WINK News meteorologists must work quickly to provide viewers with the latest updates. Each Weather Authority member has developed a checklist of things to do when they first walk in. For Zedeker, this means referring to a chart where all hurricane data has been plotted. “I like to go back for the last couple of advisories to see if it’s strengthening, weakening, if it’s moved, how fast … So, I like to get a little history of the hurricane, because as you walk in, you’re fresh.” Farrell follows a similar method: “I try to hit on the latest information first, because the National Hurricane Center will put out advisories every three to six hours, or, as it gets closer, every hour.” “I look at those global long-range models, and I see what’s new, what’s different. …” Devitt says. “What are their maximums, as far as rainfall, wind?”

Once they’ve reviewed the storm’s recent activity and absorbed the new data, they can begin forecasting. Farrell likes to let viewers know the most important new information first, which, for WINK News, The Weather Authority, is anything threatening your family or property. “If it impacts your livelihood, life of your family or where you live, that’s our goal, is to keep you safe and protected from all weather elements,” Devitt says. Depending on the severity of storm, Farrell will show models that indicate new data and depict the anticipated path. He tries to be as precise as possible when choosing what models to show. He reiterates what he often says on air: “We only show you the most reliable ones. And there’s still going to be a spread in those. Sometimes they’re pretty tight, sometimes they’re not. It depends on what the weather pattern is.” Devitt likes to cover all news platforms after he gets updated weather conditions. In order to spread the word, he “first starts with TV, doing (updates) every 10 minutes for five to even 12 hours. Once that is done, I do it on Facebook, I do it on Twitter, and I do it on radio,” he says, thumping the table as he lists each platform. During the hurricane crunch time, the team breaks off into 12-hour shifts, with two or three meteorologists stacked from noon to midnight, and the others comprising the slot from midnight to noon. The team members take turns on-air, giving analysis on the storm, along with any new information from in-house radar or the National Hurricane Center. WINK News, The Weather Authority, is confident the team can get Southwest Florida through any hurricane. If there is one message the meterologists want to get across to viewers, it’s this: “As long as you very carefully and methodically—with your friends and your family—develop a plan and watch us,” Devitt says, “we’ll get you through it step by step.” •

WINK

PREPARATION

Be Proactive, Not Reactive U.S. REP. FRANCIS ROONEY R-Naples

n Sept. 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall on Marco Island and proceeded to rip through Collier and Lee counties, destroying homes and leaving flooding and power outages that lasted weeks. While Irma was the most recent example of a hurricane shaking our community, those who were not shaken by the storm were our region’s first responders: the police and sheriff’s offices, utility crews, shelter volunteers and city officials who worked tirelessly to ensure residents were prepared and informed and to also initiate recovery efforts right after the storm. With the hurricane season upon us, we should all heed the advice of local officials when stocking up on

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

supplies and making our hurricane plans. It is always best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. No two hurricanes, and the paths they follow, are ever the same. Even in the best-case scenario there is much to do in the days leading up to a storm. This is why it’s critical to plan ahead. Be proactive by stocking up on nonperishable food, bottled water and first-aid supplies. Have phone numbers of emergency contacts, a battery-powered radio, flashlights and any prescription medications on hand. Visit Ready.gov to make a plan for you and your family; it is a great federal resource. During Hurricane Irma, we had mandatory evacuations and needs for shelter due to the fast approaching nature of the storm and the sudden change of direction from the East Coast to the West Coast of Florida. When the emergency management operations for Lee and Collier counties are activated, it is imperative to listen to warnings and pay attention to their messages. This is for you and your family’s safety first and foremost. Do not place yourself, family or first responders in jeopardy by waiting until a storm is bearing down to seek help. We hope for the best, but we

Property Damage? If you are affected by a storm, document damage to your property immediately. There are a number of organizations you can turn to for help: Call (800) 621-FEMA to apply for federal disaster assistance. Reach out to Operation Blue Roof, at (888) ROOF-BLU, which provides temporary repairs of damaged roofs. Turn to the State of Florida Emergency Information 24-hour hotline, at (800) 3423557. Get in touch with the Department of Financial Services Storm Hotline, at (800) 2278676 If needed, contact the State of Florida’s Attorney General fraud office, at (866) 9-NOSCAM.

can never be too prepared for what lies ahead. Talk with your family and loved ones, plan ahead for any disaster and stay tuned to local news, emergency management and law enforcement for updates. •

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PREPARATION

Preparing Your Family Make a Family Communication Plan Some disasters strike without any warning, and family members may not all be in the same place. How will you get in touch with each other? Where will you meet? What if your neighborhood is being evacuated? It’s important to make a plan now so that you will know what to do, how to find each other and how to communicate in an emergency. [ Pick the same person for each family member to call or email, so you all have a single point of contact. It might be easier to reach someone who’s out of town or outside the state. [ Program that contact as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your cell phone. If you’re hurt, emergency per-

sonnel often will check your ICE listings to reach someone you know. Alert that person that you’ve listed him or her as an emergency contact. [ Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. [ Text, don’t talk, unless it’s an emergency. It may be easier to text and you won’t tie up phone lines for emergency workers. Text messages often can get around network disruptions when phone calls can’t. [ Keep your family’s contact info and meeting spot location in your backpack, wallet, cell phone or taped inside your school notebook. [ Designate someone from outside the area to be the primary contact for out-oftown relatives and friends to check with to see how you fared. This could be the same person as your ICE contact. Following a hurricane, land lines and cell phones may be out of service for some time. Be Prepared and Stay Aware When faced with hazardous weather conditions, it’s important to be prepared and stay aware. A communication plan is only part of what you’ll need to outline with your family when faced with a hurricane. Please get everybody together today so that you can map out a plan for how to respond

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

able emergency supplies and food. [ Prepare a disaster supply kit.

to a natural disaster. Here are some ideas: [ Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. [ Know your home’s vulnerability to storm dangers. [ Decide your evacuation route and destination. Plan to go to family or friends who live in safer areas. Use county evacuation shelters only as a last resort. [ Outline an alternate plan in case your friends are out of town, your evacuation route is flooded or other unforeseen circumstances arise. [ Put together a family communication plan as outlined above. [ Plan what you will do with your pets if you need to evacuate. [ Review your homeowners and flood insurance policies and keep them with you in a secure, waterproof place. When a storm hits is the wrong time to check if you have the right insurance. [ Register individuals with special needs with your county’s Emergency Management Office. [ Make a list of prescription medicines that you will need to refill and take with you. [ Stock non-perish-

Prepare Your Pets There needs to be a plan for your pets too. Consider two different pet emergency kits: [ In one, put everything your pets will need to stay where you are. [ The other should be a lightweight smaller version to use if you and your pets have to get away. [ For more information, and a detailed list of disaster preparedness tips, go to aspca. org. Get Your Supplies Now: Follow These Checklists Supplies are a critical part of every family’s health and safety. They should be gathered well in advance of hurricane season each year. It pays to be prepared.

Once a storm is imminent, time to shop will be limited. If supplies are even available, you will have to search for them. Many Southwest Florida residents experienced shortages of plywood, batteries, flashlights, water, generators and other storm necessities during the more

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active recent hurricane seasons. Each time a storm was predicted to make landfall near Southwest Florida, lines were long, shelves were bare and stress levels were high. Supplies can be divided into several categories, but the essentials should be gathered and kept easily accessible throughout the hurricane season. The Essentials These are the supplies you should always have on hand. Be sure to place the items that you will most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-tocarry container. [ One gallon of water per person per day. [ Additional water for food preparation and sanitation. [ Bags of ice. [ Partially fill plastic one-liter or larger soft drink bottles with water and place in the freezer. The bottles will freeze without cracking. If the power goes out, the frozen water will help keep the

freezer cool. When the ice melts, the water will be drinkable. [ Fill up your car’s gas tank, as well as portable gas cannisters. Make sure those cannisters are stored 36

cross.org. First-aid kit for your car [ Insulin [ Denture needs [ Prescription drugs (minimum two-week supply) [ A supply of aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever [ Contact lenses and supplies [ Eyeglasses, along with a spare pair. [ Heart and high blood pressure medicine [ Insect repellent [ Itch-relief cream [

safely. Keep cash handy. Banks may not be open. ATMs may not be accessible. Debit cards and credit cards may not be accepted if power is lost.

[

Special Needs If you have family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons, remember to include items and supplies that may be unique to their special situation. That may mean setting aside anything from extra diapers and baby formula to special medications and a spare walker. Groceries [ Baby formula [ Bread [ Crackers [ Canned fruits [ Canned juice [ Canned meats [ Canned vegetables [ Dry cereal [ Instant coffee and tea [ Peanut butter [ Quick-energy snacks [ Ready-to-eat soups Medical Supplies [ First-aid kit for your home. For how to stock your kit, consult the American Red Cross at www.red-

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Documents [ Important telephone numbers [ Record of bank account numbers [ Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) [ Record of credit card account numbers and companies [ Inventory of valuable household goods—with pictures, if possible [ Copy of will, insurance policies, deeds, stocks and bonds [ Copy of passports, social security cards and immunization records Sanitation [ Disinfectant [ Toilet paper, towelettes and paper towels [ Soap and liquid detergent [ Personal hygiene items [ Household chlorine bleach [ Large bucket or trash can with lid for storing water to flush toilets

Tools & Supplies [ Battery-operated radio or TV [ Flashlight and lanterns [ Extra batteries and extra bulbs [ Lighter or matches for your grill [ Antenna for your TV [ Extension cords (heavy duty and threepronged) [ Manual can opener/utility knife [ Plastic sheeting/ tarps [ Duct tape [ Generator [ Gas cans [ Old towels for clean up [ Paper cups, plates and utensils [ Plastic trash bags [ Full propane tank [ Charcoal and lighter fluid [ Camp stove [ Sterno

Thermos for hot food [ Coolers with ice for cold food [ Tree saw for cutting fallen limbs [ Hand tools: knife, axe, pliers, screwdrivers and wrench [ Hammer and nails [ Fire extinguisher [ Fix-a-flat [ Mops, buckets and cleaning supplies • [

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PREPARATION

Prepare Your Home

reparing your home for a hurricane can involve taking precautions both big and small. Ultimately, it may mean making changes to your home and property that can vary in cost and complexity. A professional contractor licensed to work in Florida should carry out complicated or

large-scale changes that affect the structure of your house, its electrical wiring or plumbing. There are several precautions, however, that you can take on your own to protect your home . Know Your Home’s Vulnerablilities There are a few areas of the average home that are particularly susceptible to damage during a hurricane. But there also are preparations you can make ahead of time that will leave these areas better protected. Windows Installing storm shutters over all exposed windows and other glass surfaces is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your home

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from a host of potential problems. Don’t skip this precaution. Cover all windows, French doors, glass doors and skylights. There are many types of manufactured storm shutters available, made from a variety of materials from steel or aluminium to heavy-duty plastic. Even homemade plywood shutters, if properly constructed and installed, can offer a great deal of protection from flying debris during a hurricane. If you need your shutters installed by a professional, get the work done well before a storm threatens. If there’s a hurricane on the horizon, you may find that contractors have little time and few resources to help.

Roof The roof of your house is most vulnerable to damage from high winds. Proper roof construction is essential. A small investment made before a storm hits can save thousands of dollars in future damage. Have a qualified building professional inspect your roof to determine whether it needs reinforcement. Doors Homes with double-entry doors usually have one door that is active and one that is inactive. The bolts or pins that secure most doors typically are not strong enough to withstand hurricane force winds. Check with your local building supplies retailer or hardware store to determine the

type of bolt system that will work best for your door. Garage Doors Double-wide doors for two-car garages can present a particular problem during hurricanes. Some garage doors can be strengthened with retrofit kits. Check with your local building supplies dealer or hardware store. Mobile Homes Require Special Precautions Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to hurricane-force winds. Anchor the mobile home with over-the-top, or frame ties. When a storm threatens, do what you can to secure your home, then take refuge with friends or relatives or go to a public shelter. Do not try to ride out a hurricane in a mobile home under any circumstance. Always follow mandatory evacuation orders if they are issued. Once you’ve anchored your mobile home, make sure to take the following precautions before you leave: [ Pack breakables in boxes. [ Remove mirrors. [ Wrap mirrors and lamps in blankets and place them in the bathtub or shower. [ Install hurricane shutters or apply precut plywood on all windows. [ Shut off utilities and disconnect electricity, sewer and water lines. [ Shut off propane tanks and leave them outside after anchoring them securely. [ Store awnings,

folding furniture, trash cans and other loose outdoor objects. Do-It-Yourself Home Prep Checklist [ Windows, Doors and Roof: Protect all windows, doors, garage doors and roofs with storm shutters or the proper reinforcements. [ Electricity: Unplug

appliances–especially television sets–and turn off electricity (except for your refrigerator), as well as the main water valve. Your refrigerator and freezer should be turned to the coldest settings. [ Outdoors: Store inside all outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, toys, garden tools, grills

and tractors. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside, but that could be carried or tossed by strong winds. Remove outdoor antennas. [ Sheds: Securely anchor all storage sheds and other outbuildings to either a permanent foundation or the ground. •

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do before a storm hits.

PREPARATION

Prepare Your Boat

n Southwest Florida, with its inland waterways and land only slightly above sea level, boats are particularly vulnerable to damage during tropical storms and hurricanes. Each boat owner needs a plan that’s unique to the type of boat in question, the local boating environment and the best available storage options. But if you follow these precautions and checklists as guidelines, you should get a good idea of the sort of planning and prep work you’ll need to

General Precautions for Your Boat [ Check that your boat is in sound condition. This includes the hull, deck hardware, rigging, ground tackle, machinery and electronics. [ Make sure that the batteries are charged, bilge pumps are operable, fuel tanks are full, fuel filters are clean, cockpit drains are free and clear, fire-fighting equipment is in good working order and lifesaving equipment is accessible and in good condition. [ Enhance the watertight integrity of your boat, both above and below the water line. Seal windows, doors and hatches with duct tape. [ Secure all items on your boat. Remove and/or secure all deck gear, portable gear, ra-

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

dio antennas, outriggers, chairs, deck boxes, cushions, Bimini tops and side canvas/ curtains, sails, boom, canister rafts and dinghies. [ Put together a hurricane action plan for your vessel. If you plan to move your vessel, and you have sufficient notice, do it at least 48 to 72 hours before the hurricane is due to hit the area. Rehearse your planned boat movement, including an actual visit to the alternate dock or hurricane mooring/anchoring location. [ Inspect the boat’s deck hardware in light of planned mooring arrangements. Assess the size and structural attachment of the primary chocks, cleats, bitts, bollards and winches. These highload/high-stress points should have substantial backing plates and

be secured with bolts of adequate size. [ Provide special attention to avoid chafing of mooring lines. Chafing gear that has been proven successful is a double neoprene hose arrangement. [ Storm moorings, whether at dockside or otherwise, should have doubled lines. The second set of lines should be a size larger than the normal lines including spring lines at a dock. [ Make a list of important phone numbers. These numbers include your insurance agent, harbor master, marina facility, Coast Guard and National Weather Service. [ Purchase necessary materials ahead of time such as additional lengths of mooring lines, screw anchors, fenders, fender boards, chafing gear and anchors. [ Make an Inventory list of all boat equipment. Note items to be removed from your vessel. Keep a copy of equipment inventory both on board and ashore. Take photos of the current condition of your boat—inside and out—to keep with all records. [ Make sure your insurance policy is current. Read the policy thoroughly. There is quite a bit of helpful and advisory information in the policy about what the boat owner should—and should not—do if there is a storm or hurricane-related loss or damage to the vessel. •

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I PREPARATION

nsurance policy details are critical. As hurricane season approaches, it is vital to review your policy. Remember, if Florida is under a hurricane watch or warning, it is likely too late to purchase insurance.

Review Your Insurance

Some Details to Review About Your Insurance: [ Windstorm insur-

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ance typically carries a much higher deductible than other coverage. [ Take your insurance documents with you if you leave the area because of the storm. [ Scan your insurance documents into your computer and then send those files

to an email account. [ New or increased coverage cannot be issued when a tropical storm, hurricane watch or hurricane warning is in place for any part of Florida. [ Consider purchasing flood insurance, which is usually written separately from homeowners insur-

ance. Make certain the amount of your coverage matches the value of your home. List any steps you have taken to protect your home, such as installing storm shutters. [ Understand in the event of a loss, whether you would receive the cash value of your [

New or increased insurance coverage cannot be issued when a tropical storm, hurricane watch or hurricane warning is in place for any part of Florida. belongings or your policy specifies replacement. [ Understand what is covered—and what is not. [ Check to see if your insurance requires you to use only contractors for home repairs that the insurance company provides—leaving you with little or no choice in the matter. Not all policies include this provision, but you should be sure of the clauses included in yours before getting any repair work initiated. While a provisions like this will assure you that you are dealing with a trusted professional, it could also lead to delays in repairs if that contractor is particularly busy post-storm. [ When hurricane warnings are issued, the Florida Department of Financial Services is mobilized to assist with insurance and banking questions. The toll-free hot line is (800) 22STORM. [ Everyone lives in

a flood zone in Southwest Florida. You don’t simply need to live near the water to be flooded. Many flooded areas are caused by overloaded drainage systems. [ Flood damage is not covered by your homeowners policy. [ You can purchase flood insurance no matter what your flood risk is, as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. A maximum of $250,000 of building coverage is available for single-family residential buildings and per unit in a condominium. Commercial structures can be insured to a limit of $500,000. [ Call your insurance agent for details about how to get flood insurance. [ Plan ahead because there is usually at least a 30-day waiting period before any flood insurance goes into effect. [ Content coverage is separate. Up to $100,000 contents coverage is available. [ Make a written inventory of the contents of your house, with pictures of each room and the exterior. Keep it with you during the storm. [ Federal disaster assistance is only available if the president declares a disaster. A rule of thumb: About 90 percent of all disasters in the United States are not declared disasters by the president. •

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n law enforcement, we frequently train for emergency scenarios so we are better prepared to respond to them in real life. Applying this same mindset of preparation to your hurricaneseason planning can lessen the panic and stress frequently faced when trying to make decisions about family and other loved ones during a crisis. In addition to helping to avoid weather dangers, early preparation and planning can thwart the efforts of criminals who seize these opportunities to prey on areas affected by the storm. It is never too early to begin developing a safety plan for you and your household. Becoming familiar with your evacuation zone is key to understanding messages from your local emergency management team as a storm hits. During Hurricane Irma, sheltering in place was recommended for much of Charlotte County. Sheltering in your home requires having a supply of food, water and, most importantly, medications needed by members of your household throughout the storm. If you are instructed to evacuate your residence, please do so. When it becomes unsafe to respond during the storm, emer-

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PREPARATION

Be Ready, Be Safe

Plan Ahead for Emergencies and Pay Attention to Warnings BILL PRUMMELL Charlotte County Sheriff gency vehicles will be unable to reach you until after the storm has passed. As you plan for the possibility of evacuation, consider how you will secure your home during the storm. Using shutters that lock can prevent thieves from entering your residence before you return. Secure belongings inside a shed or garage, not an outdoor carport or patio. Following Hurricane Irma, a countywide curfew was issued until power was restored to enough of the county to ensure neighborhoods would not fall vic-

tim to looters. While the curfew helps prevent some crimes of opportunity, residents who did not evacuate should call law enforcement to report any suspicious activity or people in their neighborhood. Communication is an important piece of surviving a storm. Take some time during your storm preparation to make sure you can receive communications from your local emergency operations center and sheriff’s office. Several of our sheriff’s offices in Southwest Florida now have mobile applications, allowing you to receive notifications via Wi-Fi if there is a lack of cellular service in the area. In Charlotte County, you can sign up for Alert Charlotte for text and phone call notifications from the EOC (other counties use similar services). If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you. I encourage you to take time to review this publication and use it as a reference during your storm preparation. While we hope for a mild season, we must prepare for all possibilities. Remember to start early, create a plan and maintain open lines of communication with emergency personnel. Be safe. •

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PREPARATION

Evacuating to a Shelter

f an evacuation order has been issued, officials stress that you make every effort to leave the area. Evacuation options that may be better than going to a public shelter include: [ Staying put if you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in an area under an evacuation order, or if you do not live in a mobile or manufactured home. [ Going to the home of a friend or family member who lives outside the evacuation zones. [ Checking into a hotel or motel. [ Traveling to a part of Florida not under an evacuation order.

What You Need To Know About Shelters If you have no safe place to go, head for a shelter. They will be open. If you must go to a shelter, here are some things for you to consider: [ There are a shortage of evacuation shelters. If you have a safe place to evacuate to, plan to use that alternate location rather than a public shelter. [ Shelters are not hotels. They cannot provide any conve46

niences or luxuries. Bring your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disaster supply kit to ensure proper provisions. [ Not all shelters are open for every storm. Only those shelters that are safe from the direction and intensity of each storm will open. Stay tuned to WINK News, The Weather Authority, for

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

up-to-the-minute disaster information. [ Food and water should be available, but there may be a slight delay initially. [ Cots are not provided in general-population shelters. [ No weapons, smoking or alcoholic beverages. Weapons and liquor are not al-

lowed in shelters under any circumstances and could get you arrested. [ Service animals are allowed at all shelters, but family pets are not allowed in public shelters. They are permitted only in shelters designated as pet-friendly. All service animals must have vaccination records

agement. Here’s what you should know about special needs shelters: [ You must register every year. Your application is good for one calendar year only. [ You must have a companion or caregiver accompany you during your time at the shelter. Typically, there are a limited number of staff on hand. [ You will receive a confirmation letter and instructions advising you that you’re on the registry for a special needs shelter, and what to expect if those shelters are opening. [ Although special needs shelters provide more care than a general shelter, they do not provide the level of care found in a medical facility. About Pet-Friendly Shelters Prepare a pet supply kit that includes: [ Non-perishable food [ Water [ Medications [ Sturdy cage or carrier [ Collar and leash [ Up-to-date vaccination records

and be caged. You must also provide their food, water, leash and litter box. Items to Bring to a Shelter: [ Drinking water [ Snacks or special foods [ Lawn chair [ Bed roll [ Pillows and blankets

Books, magazines or electronics with headphones [ Medications [ Change of clothing [ Personal hygiene items [

About Special Needs Shelters A special needs shelter is a temporary emergency facility capable of pro-

viding care to residents whose medical condition may require the use of electrical equipment, oxygen or dialysis, as well as to individuals with physical or cognitive conditions requiring assistance from medical professionals. Those eligible to go to a special needs shelter should pre-register with Emergency Man-

Also consider: [ Keeping several photos of your pet with you to help with identification if you’re separated. [ Placing I.D. on your pet’s collar. [ Using a microchip to identify your pet. Check with your county to see if your local animal services department offers a microchipping program. •

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hile Southwest Florida was lucky during last year’s hurricane season, Hurricane Irma is still fresh on our minds after the storm devastated our region in 2017. Irma taught us valuable lessons in patient safety, and even resulted in new laws aimed at keeping highrisk patients safe as major storms approach. It is important to not become complacent after a quiet storm season, and there are things that we can begin doing now to ensure health and safety before, during and after a hurricane makes landfall. These early preparation steps could save your life during times when heavy wind and rain make it impossible for first responders to get to you. Before hurricane season starts, you should check your first-aid kit to make sure it is fully stocked.

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PREPARATION

Before and After Care

Proper Prep Work Can Keep You Healthy This Hurricane Season BY LARRY ANTONUCCI, M.D, MBA Lee Health President & CEO This includes having plenty of sunscreen and insect repellant. Since we live in a sub-tropical climate,

our homes will become hot and muggy in the event of prolonged power outages. Remember to test flashlights and make sure you have plenty of batteries. These are items that can keep you safe and will be in short supply as a storm nears. It is also extremely important to make sure all of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications are filled and up-to-date. Pharmacies will close as evacuation orders are issued. But as storms approach, Florida law allows patients to refill prescriptions early to ensure they have enough medicine to make it through the storm. I can’t stress enough the importance of this. Filling your prescriptions early could save your life and alleviate the stress of navigating potentially dangerous roads. Every family should have an evacuation plan ready. If you’re staying in the area and need to leave your home, plan ahead of time and map the best route to your local shelter. It is important to remember that the hospital is not a hurricane shelter. In my area, if you have special needs you must pre-register with the Lee County Emergency Operations Center, which will assign you to a special needs shelter. Your county most likely has a similar procedure. After Hurricane Irma, we opened our command center and worked closely with the local EOC to safely transport discharged patients to public shelters. Surviving a hurricane is a true community effort, and health care providers and hospitals are here to support first responders and care for patients in the aftermath of the storm. Every year we hope not to endure another Irma or Charley, but we must stay vigilant and prepare for when the next big one hits. Preparation will help keep you safe during the storm, and you can rest easy knowing we have a community of caring people who will come together in the aftermath to serve those in need. •

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PREPARATION

The Storm Is Over

lthough the storm has passed, there are many dangers that still exist. Take the proper precautions to prevent further crises. Play it safe and focus on yourself, family, neighbors and emergency workers during clean-up and repair. If you have any doubts about safety, err on the side of caution. Relief supplies and other aid will be arriving as quickly as possible following a major hurricane. Insurance companies will send special disaster teams, as will the state and federal governments and a host of private organizations. It is very important to understand, however, that it may take several days for them to arrive at the disaster site. Not only does it take time to gather and load the unique supplies that this area may require, but roadways may be blocked by debris and may be unsafe for travel. This is why it is so very important to have enough ice, water and food to sustain your family for at least three days. What to Expect Debris is scattered across roads, parking lots and yards. The nice, neat neighborhoods that existed prior to the hurricane

will be covered with fallen trees and limbs, gutters and other wreckage. In many cases, there will be no water, sewer, electrical or telephone service and no air conditioning or refrigeration. Roadways may be blocked for days or weeks. Hurricanes are traumatic experiencesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;both physically and emotionally. The recovery process can be the hardest part. Everyone is affected; weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all in this together. Often the most devastating time of a disaster occurs during recovery. Having to return to your home or business, assess damage and perform clean up can be very difficult tasks. Be calm, patient and understanding and you can help ensure that this time is safe and productive. Here are some poststorm procedures and considerations, information on disaster assistance and generator safety. First Things First [ Return home only after authorities say it is safe to do so. Follow any specific reentry procedures in place. Stay tuned to WINK News, The Weather Authority, and winknews.com for recovery information. [ Help injured or trapped persons. Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help. Give first aid where appropriate. [ Avoid loose or dangling power lines. Report them immediately to the power company,

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

police or fire department. [ Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Allow emergency crews to remove fallen power lines and other hazards. [ Enter your home with caution. Open doors and windows to ventilate or dry your home. Beware of snakes, insects and animals driven to higher ground by flood water. [ Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve and if you can, call the gas company. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional. [ Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. [ Check for sewage and water line damage. If you think sewage lines are damaged, avoid using toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, call the water company and avoid tap water. [ Check refrigerated foods for spoilage. Discard any spoiled foods. Keep your refrigerator closed as much as possible to protect food from additional spoiling. [ Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents,

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for insurance claims. Save receipts for reimbursementâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including temporary lodging and food. Keep a record of all receipts, cancelled checks, bills and other documents received for repair work or temporary living. WHAT THE STORM LEAVES BEHIND

Storm Debris It will be necessary to separate your curb-side trash. Clean-up debris will be accepted by priority. [ As soon as roads are cleared, raw garbage such as animal, fruit or vegetable waste will be collected. [ The second priority will be normal household garbage including food waste. [ The third priority is yard waste. Place trees, branches and the like in piles that can be easily managed by collection personnel. [ And finally, the last priority will be construction debris such as lumber, roofing, concrete and similar materials. [ Your county may accept food waste at the Waste Management facility. Contact the facility for drop-off hours. [ Do not block your road with garbage. Debris Removal Information [ Charlotte: (941) 575-3600 [ Collier: (239) 2522380 [ DeSoto: (863) 993-4831 [ Glades: (863) 52

946-6020 Hendry: (863) 675-5222 [ Unincorporated Lee: (239) 533-8000 [

Household Priorities [ Pump or bail water out of the house as soon as possible. [ Open the windows to let the house air out and give the walls and floors a chance to dry. [ Shovel mud out before it can dry, then scrub floors and walls with a brush and mild soap and water. [ Make sure all appliances are unplugged as a general safety precaution. CLEANING UP AROUND AND ABOUT THE HOUSE

Stoves and Ovens [ Clean the outside with a grease cutter, then with detergent and water. [ Clean the inside with conventional oven cleaner. Refrigerators and Freezers [ To remove odors, wash the inside and the plastic door gasket with detergent and water. [ Rinse with a cloth and clear water. Wipe dry. Washers and Dryers [ Pour a disinfectant into the empty washer. Run a 15-minute cycle using the hot water setting. [ Unplug the dryer and wipe the drum and dryer door with a cloth dipped in disinfectant solution. [ Rinse with a cloth dipped in clear water.

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Leave the dryer door open until all parts are dry, preferably overnight. [ Leave the dishwasher door open until all parts are dry. [

Books and Papers [ Place books on end with leaves separated. When they are partially dry, pile and press books. Alternate drying and pressing until thoroughly dry.

If books and papers are very damp, sprinkle some corn starch between the pages to absorb moisture. Leave on for several hours, then brush off. [ When papers and books are almost dry, try using an electric iron set on low heat to flatten the pages. [ Separate the pages to prevent odors. [ When books are completely dry, close [

them and clamp them closed to help them retain their shape. [ Photocopy important papers because they may quickly disintegrate, even if they have dried out. Swimming Pools [ Remove as much debris by hand as possible and lower the water level to normal. [ Add a chlorinator, as in the form of the 10

percent hypochlorite granules commonly known as shock. [ Super chlorinate again and clean the filter frequently until the pool is back to normal. [ Have the gas company reconnect the heater line. If your pool needs structural repairs, choose a contractor carefully. Looting/Curfew As soon as the hurri-

cane ends, looting may begin. With walls and more blown away–and since many homes belong to snowbirds summering up north–residences become easy targets. The fear of looting is widespread within the community and many residents stay in their damaged homes to protect their valuables. However, it is important to note that incidences of crime are actually

statistically lower after a disaster. A curfew may be enacted for several nights to combat theft and vandalism. Avoiding Generator Hazards Between 2005 and 2017, 880 generatorrelated carbon monoxide deaths were reported throughout the United States, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Here’s how you can avoid becoming a statistic. [ Be sure to read the owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. [ Do not use a generator until it is properly grounded. [ Plug devices directly into the generator. Never backfeed your house circuits or connect your generator to your house wiring. Do not overload the generator capacity. [ Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a generator indoors, outside under a window, on a covered patio or in any space without adequate ventilation. [ Keep flammable items away. The generator exhaust system is very hot. [ Never refuel your generator inside your home or while it is hot. A serious fire could result. [ Prevent electric shock. Do not use in wet areas. [ Check all electrical cords to be sure the insulation is in good condition and check the oil and fuel level before starting motor. •

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[ If you spot a

downed power line, report it to the utility company. Otherwise keep utility telephone lines clear for emergency calls.

PREPARATION

Dangers of Electricity

ollowing a hurricane, electrical equipment, downed power lines and household wiring can all pose potential hazards if not dealt with properly. Here’s how to safely contend with such problems. [ If your electrical equipment is wet or near water, switch off the main breaker. If you must enter water to reach the main 54

switch, call an electrician to turn it off. [ Do not turn electrical equipment back on until it has been professionally inspected. [ Stay clear of downed power lines— they may still be energized and dangerous. Beware of water contacting downed lines. [ Do not trim trees or remove debris near downed power lines. [ If you must remove debris that’s in, or near your home, do not pile it under or near electrical lines or equipment. [ If appliances were on when power was lost, make sure all appliances are turned off. If left on, they could pose fire hazards. [ Refrain from using candles. Use a flashlight instead.

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How is Power Restored After a Storm? [ After a storm has passed, your electric provider quickly begins to assess the damage to the electric system. [ Your electric provider then begins restoring power to essential services such as hospitals, traffic signals, shelters, communication centers and law enforcement. [ Next, power is restored to the greatest number of customers in the shortest time. [ Finally, individual services are restored, or those that need reconnection after repairs to damaged electrical systems. What If My Neighbor Has Power But I Don’t? First, check all circuit breakers by resetting them. If your breakers aren’t the problem, then: [ You may be on another power feeder line or power transformer. [ The transformer serving your location may be damaged. These are the last things to be repaired while resources are focused on restoring the greatest number of customers first. [ Your weather head conduit (the pipe and wire extending above your roof) may be damaged or bent. An electrician must repair it and it must be in-

spected before restoring power. [ You own your own underground service and it may be damaged. If so, it must be repaired by an electrician and inspected before power is restored. [ If none of this is the case, and your neighbor’s power is on while yours is still out, call your utility. About Electronics [ Never open an electronic appliance to dry it inside. A tube television is especially dangerous, retaining very high electric voltages for quite a while. [ Unplug items and let them dry thoroughly. Don’t assume that because the outside is dry, the inside has dried. Continue drying for a few more days. [ Place the equipment in the sun but monitor it closely. Bright sunlight can damage LCD displays. [ After you’re sure the item is completely dry, plug it in. If it won’t work right away, give it another day to dry. [ If the power indicator lights come on, leave the equipment on for about 10 minutes, then turn it off for about 30 minutes. Repeat, leaving the appliance on for an extra five minutes each try. [ If an appliance power indicator does not come on, and the outlet works, take it to be repaired. [ If you see smoke or hear crackling sounds, unplug it immediately and take it to a repair shop. •

www.lcec.net WINK THE WEATHER AUTHORITY

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PREPARATION

Protect Yourself From Scams

nfortunately, areas hit by hurricanes can prove to be fertile environments for fraudsters and scammers looking to victimize for a second time unsuspecting residents who were caught in the storm’s wake. Following a hurricane, homeowners should be on guard for all sorts of schemes calculated to separate them from their money, from simple price-gouging ploys to more sophisticated insurance rip-offs. “I tell people all the time, the storms bring out the absolute worst in our citizens. But they bring out some of the best in people,” says Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s chief financial officer and director of the state’s Department of Financial Services. “I’ve seen giving and helping like I never believed could happen in our state. Thank goodness both extremes can exist, because, definitely, the good outweighs the bad. And there’s a lot of goodness that takes place.” Of course, you can do your part to ensure that the good outweighs the bad by reporting cases of 56

suspected fraud to a variety of local, state and federal authorities. Aside from your area’s police or sheriff’s department, you also can notify these agencies of possible hurricane-related scams: [ The Florida Attorney General’s office: (866) 966-7226 [ The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Consumer Services: (877) 693-5236 [ The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: (866) 720-5721 [ The Federal Emergency Management Agency: (800) 6213362 Don’t hesitate to notify authorities of a problem; cases of disaster-related scams are taken seriously by these agencies. For example, state Attorney General Ashley Moody has made cracking down on all sorts of fraud one of her office’s signature initiatives. And the NCDF was formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to serve as a clearinghouse to help investigate, prosecute and deter the sorts of fraud that emerged in the wake of that disaster. The center works with the National Association of Attorneys General, along with more than 30 other federal, state and local agencies, to help fight scammers. “We want to serve as the front line for reporting cases of disaster fraud,” explains Brandon J. Fremin, the NCDF’s executive director and the U.S. Attorney for the

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Middle District of Louisiana. “If anyone has a complaint or what they suspect to be any type of fraud after any type of natural disaster, we strongly encourage them to contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud.” Here are the most common types of hurricane-related scams that you might encounter: [ Contractors—or scammers posing as contractors—who solicit door-to-door, offer discounted repairs, come from out-of-

Never pay for contracting work in advance, or in cash, after a storm. Also don’t wire money into an account or pay with reloadable debit or gift cards. town or ask for payment upfront for work not yet done, especially if they want that payment in cash. They may take your money and never do the work for which you paid them. [ Disreputable contractors who ask you to sign paperwork assigning your insurance benefits to them in what they will tell you is a process that will save time and money, then never complete— or even begin—the work promised, pock-

eting insurance money meant for you. [ Fraudsters posing as inspectors from FEMA, or some other disaster-related agency, who ask for bank account and social security information, then steal your identity and drain your accounts. Or, more simply, these imposters might demand cash payment upfront to inspect your premises for damage after a storm. [ Scammers who claim to represent charities collecting funds for disaster relief, only to keep the proceeds for themselves. [ Con artists who will try to get you to invest in disaster relief and rebuilding efforts for a quick, profitable return only to disappear with your money. [ Basic price-gouging on everything from gasoline to generators. These are just a few of the methods you can use to keep yourself from being taken: [ Never pay for contracting work in advance, or in cash, after a storm. Also, don’t wire money into an account or pay with reloadable debit or gift cards. [ Before any work is done on your home, contact your insurance company to evaluate any damage and verify that it is covered by your policy. [ Use local contractors whom you find yourself or are recommended by your insur-

ance company. Take your time and do your research. Check out contractors with your city’s Better Business Bureau or the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Comparison shop and get at least three estimates in writing. Ask for references from previous customers. “If it just doesn’t feel right,” Fremin warns, “don’t hesitate to tell that contractor you’d be happy to give your business to somebody else.” [ Get an agreement in writing. Don’t agree to have work performed without a contract. Read it carefully, even the fine print, and never sign a contract with blanks spaces to be filled in later. Be wary of contractors who seem too eager to have you assign your insurance benefits over to them to pay for repairs that have yet to be started. “In 2006, we had 400 assignment of benefitsrelated lawsuits in the state,” Patronis says. “This year, we’re probably going to break 32,000. It’s being perverted.” [ Verify that any contractor doing work on your house is licensed, bonded and insured properly. [ Beware of anyone calling himself a “FEMA-certified” contractor. “There is no such thing,” Abigail Dennis, a FEMA spokesperson, says. [ Do not make a final payment for repairs

on your home unless all work is done to your satisfaction. [ Don’t give into high-pressure tactics or feel as if you need to make a decision before you are ready— whether you are confronted by a would-be contractor or supposed charity worker. “If somebody is using high-pressure sales tactics and is going door-to-door,” Fremin says, “get his or her license plate number and report it.” [ Give directly only to local charities or ones with which you are familiar. [ Be skeptical of people who say they represent charities, especially those who ask for donations via unsolicited emails or socialnetworking sites, the Department of Justice recommends. Do not respond to unsolicit-

ed emails and never click on any links or attachments in them—they may contain viruses. Also, be wary of those collecting door-to-door. “They should have credentials and it’s always a good idea to ask that person for them. What people need to understand is that they’re not under any obligation to pay someone who requests money for a charity on the spot,” Fermin explains. “Take down their information, tell them you’ll give them a call later and then take that opportunity to verify the veracity of the statements given by the person holding themselves out to be a representative of the organization.” [ Never give out bank account or personal information to someone going doorto-door or contacting you out of the blue. Be sure of whom you are dealing with. Offering this information could

make you susceptible to identity theft. “As technology advances, we’re seeing more technology-driven crime,” says Fremin. [ Beware of organizations with copy-cat names that are similar, but not the same as, legitimate charities, the DOJ offers. [ Avoid cash donations. Pay with check or credit card. And, the DOJ warns that legitimate charities don’t solicit donations using money transfers. [ Genuine government inspectors will not solicit on-the-spot payments from you following a disaster. What they will do—or, at least, should do—is show you proper identification. Ask for it. A shirt or jacket with an agency’s name on it should not be considered sufficient identification. [ In general, if someone offers you an arrangement that seems too good to be true, it usually isn’t. Beware of supposed investment opportunities following hurricanes or natural disasters. “I think you have to allow some common sense to kick in,” Patronis advises. [ Report cases of suspected pricegouging to local authorities or the state attorney general’s office. Since 1992, it has been illegal in Florida to price gouge on essential commodities or services after the governor has declared a state of emergency. •

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PostHurricane Safety Concerns

ust because you’ve survived a hurricane, doesn’t mean all the health and safety concerns have passed. Here are some important points to keep in mind. Health Care Due to structural damage, the operations of medical facilities and hospitals may be limited. A mobile health unit may be available to provide services to residents with cuts, scrapes, bruises and mild illnesses. Stay tuned to WINK News, the Weather Authority, for more medical information. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless poison that can be easily avoided. Do not burn charcoal, gas grills or gas-powered generators inside houses, garages, vehicles or tents. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include fatigue, weakness, chest pains, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of

Never assume that public water in hurricane-affected areas is safe to drink. Use bottled water for cooking, eating and drinking until there are public announcements about water safety. 58

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

coordination and impaired vision. Food Safety Food that has not been refrigerated for two hours or more, has an unusual odor, color or texture and is no longer cool to the touch is unsafe. Avoid it. Officials say, “When in doubt, throw it out.” Drinking Water Never assume that public water in hurricane-affected areas is safe to drink. Use bottled water for cooking, eating and drinking until there are public announcements about water safety. If bottled water is not available, boil tap water vigorously for at least one minute. Hand Washing and Sanitization Wash hands often with soap and clean water. If you’re unsure about the water source, use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer to decrease the risk of illness, infection or contact with disease-causing bacteria. Mold Molds are fungi that can be toxic and cause severe reactions

in many people. Don’t underestimate the health hazards that mold presents. You should replace baseboards and wallboards that have been damaged by water because mold and mildew will form inside walls. A phenol compound such as Pine-Sol or Lysol is best for pressed wood. It is also necessary to replace insulation, carpet and furniture that have been damaged by water. Mosquitos Heavy rains and flooding lead to an increase in the mosquitos. Public health authorities recommend following the “five D’s of prevention” to avoid mosquito bites. [ Dusk and Dawn–avoid the outdoors from sunset to sunrise. [ Dress–wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. [ DEET–use repellents with DEET, usually 30 percent solutions. Do not use DEET on children younger than 2 months old. [ Drainage–check your home and neighborhood, and dump standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs. •

Area Shelters and Refuges of Last Resort CHARLOTTE COUNTY Emergency Operations Center (941) 833-4000 charlottecountyfl.gov/services/emergencymgmt/ Pages/default.aspx PLEASE NOTE: Do not depend on a particular shelter/refuge site being open. Shelter/refuge sites may, or may not, be opened depending on the size of the storm and the predicted landfall area. *All Charlotte County Shelters are now Pet-Friendly

PORT CHARLOTTE • Kingsway Elementary School, 23300 Quasar Blvd. • Liberty Elementary School, 370 Atwater St. • Neil Armstrong Elementary, 22100 Breezeswept Ave.

COLLIER COUNTY Emergency Operations Center (239) 252-3600 | colliergov. net/em *Pets are accepted at all of the below middle schools.

IMMOKALEE • Immokalee High School, 701 Immokalee Drive • Immokalee Middle School, 401 N. Ninth St. NAPLES • Corkscrew Middle School, 1165 Oil Well Road (County Road 858) • Cypress Palm Middle School, 4255 18th Ave. • Golden Gate High School, 2925 Titan Way • Gulf Coast High School, 7878 Shark Way • Lely High School, 1 Lely

High School Blvd. • Oakridge Middle School, 14975 Collier Blvd. • Palmetto Ridge High School, 1655 Victory Lane— Special Needs Only* and Pet-Friendly • Sabal Palm Elementary School, 4095 18th Ave. N.E.—County Staff; No General Public; Pet-Friendly

DESOTO COUNTY Emergency Operations Center (863) 993-4831 | desotobocc.com ARCADIA • Desoto County Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 N.E. Roan St. • South Florida State College, 600 W. College Drive— Special Needs

GLADES COUNTY Emergency Operations Center (863) 946-6020 | myglades. com BUCKHEAD RIDGE • Buckhead Ridge VFW, 29012 E. State Road 78 LAKEPORT Maple Grove Baptist Church, 12777 State Road 78 MOORE HAVEN • Glades County Health Department, 2221 E. State Road 78—Special Needs • Moore Haven MiddleHigh School, 700 Terrier Pride Road • Ortona Community Center, 2130 Ortona Locks Rd MUSE • Muse Community Center, 3897 Loblolly Bay Road • West Glades Elementary,

2586 State Highway 731— Special Needs

HENDRY COUNTY Emergency Operations Center (863) 674-5400 hendryfla.net/emergency_ management.php CLEWISTON • Central Elementary School, 1000 S. Deane Duff Ave. • Clewiston High School, 1501 Francisco St. • Clewiston Middle School, 601 W. Pasadena Ave.—Primary Shelter • Eastside Elementary School, 201 Arroyo Ave. • Pioneer Community Center, 910 Panama Ave. • Westside Elementary School, 205 Arroyo Ave. LABELLE • Country Oaks Elementary School, 2052 N.W. Eucalyptus Blvd. • LaBelle Elementary School, 150 W. Cowboy Way • LaBelle High School, 4050 E. Cowboy Way • LaBelle Middle School, 8000 E. Cowboy Way—Primary Shelter

LEE COUNTY Emergency Operations Center (239) 533-0622 | leeeoc.com BE ADVISED: Lee County will NOT open all of these shelters during any single event. The opening of shelters is dependent upon the nature of each specific event. Pet and special needs shelters will be available in every storm; locations will be announced prior.

BONITA SPRINGS • Bonita Springs YMCA, 27200 Kent Road

CAPE CORAL • Island Coast High School, 2125 De Navarra Parkway ESTERO • Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. • Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway FORT MYERS • Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School, 4600 Challenger Blvd.—Special Needs • South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Rd LEHIGH ACRES • E. Lee County High School, 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave. • Harns Marsh Elementary School, 1800 Unice Ave. N. • Harns Marsh Middle School, 1820 Unice Ave. N. • Mirror Lakes Elementary School, 525 Charwood Ave. S. • Varsity Lakes Middle School, 801 Gunnery Rd N. • Veterans Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S. NORTH FORT MYERS • N. Fort Myers Academy of the Arts, 1856 Arts Way • North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way SAN CARLOS • Alico Arena, 12181 FGCU Lake Parkway E. TICE • Oak Hammock Middle School, 5321 Tice St.

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Kingsway Elementary School

Liberty Elementary School

Neil Armstrong Elementary School

Port Charlotte Punta Gorda

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Island Coast High School N. Fort Myers Academy for the Arts

Oak Hammock Middle School

N. Fort Myers Recreation Center

Varsity Lakes Middle School

Fort Myers Cape Coral

Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School S. Fort Myers High School

Sanibel Island

Harns Marsh Middle School Harns Marsh Elementary School

Veterans Park Recreation Center

LEE COUNTY

Alico Arena Hertz Arena Estero Recreation Center

Mirror Lakes Elementary School E. Lee County High School Immokalee Middle School

Immokalee

Bonita Springs YMCA Palmetto Ridge High School Gulf Coast High School

Corkscrew Middle School

Oakridge Middle School Golden Gate High School

Naples Lely High School

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Sabal Palm Elementary School Cypress Palm Middle School

Area Shelters & Refuges of Last Resort

Immokalee High School

COLLIER COUNTY

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Area Phone Numbers and Websites Emergency Operations Centers

southflorida

• Lee: (239) 533-0622 • Collier: (239) 252-3600 • Charlotte: (941) 833-4000 • DeSoto: (863) 993-4831 • Glades: (863) 946-6020 • Hendry: (863) 674-5400

• FPL: (800) 468-8243 • LCEC: (800) 599-2356 • Glades Electric Co-Op: (800) 226-4024

Power Companies

After a Disaster

Hotlines • Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Assistance/Registration: (800) 621-3362, TTY: (800) 462-7585 • United States Small Business Administration: (800) 659-2955, TTY: (800) 877-8339 • National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: (866) 720-5721 • Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Hotline: (800) 323-8603 • State of Florida Emergency Info 24-Hour Hotline: (800) 342-3557 • Safe & Wellness Helpline (to check on those evacuated to a shelter): (844) 2214160 • Florida Department of Financial Services Disaster Assistance Helpline: (800) 227-8676 • Red Cross Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance: (866) 438-4636 • Department of Children and Families Information: (866) 762-2237 • Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida Elder Helpline: (800) 9635337 • Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline: (866) 966-7226 • Florida Department of Business and Profession-

al Regulation Unlicensed Activities Hotline: (866) 532-1440 • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (to verify contractor licenses): (850) 487-1395 • Agricultural and Consumer Services: (800) 4357352 • Domestic Animal Services: (239) 533-7387 – Lee (239) 252-7387 – Collier

Online Resources • www.nhc.noaa.gov: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration experts at the National Hurricane Center are leading authorities on Atlantic Basin hurricanes and tropical storms. • floridadisaster.org: This is the state’s Emergency Operations Center’s website for up-to-date, statewide information, news alerts and contact information about storms, evacuations, storm surge and shelter information.

WINK HURRICANE GUIDE 2019

• hotels.petswelcome.com for pet friendly lodging in Florida.

Contractor Information • Division of Workers’ Compensation: (800) 7422214 • Florida Association of Electrical Contractors: (407) 260-1511 • Florida Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association: (407) 260-1313 • Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida: (813) 879-8064

American Red Cross Offices • Lee, Hendry, Glades and Collier: (239) 596-6868 • Charlotte & DeSoto: (941) 629-4345 • Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee counties and Tampa: redcross.org/local/florida/ central-florida/about-us/ locations/southwest-florida.html • Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades: redcross.org/

You can donate food, water and money: The Harry Chapin Food Bank, 3760 Fowler St., Fort Myers. (239) 334-7007 or harrychapinfoodbank.org to volunteer and donate. • Salvation Army Donation Hotline: (800) 7252769 • American Red Cross: (800) 435-7669

Agency Help • fema.gov: This is the Federal Emergency Management Agency website. It offers detailed instructions to prepare for natural disasters, including action plans, safe rooms and the National Flood Insurance Program. • redcross.org: The American Red Cross keeps residents informed about response and recovery operations. • myfloridacfo.com: In the event of a storm, the Florida Department of Financial Services can assist with banking and insurance concerns. • flash.org: The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. • fmo1.org: The Federation of Manufactured Home Owners is a consumeradvocacy group that promotes hurricane safety.

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HURRICANE PROOF

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Always There

WINK News, The Weather Authority, Stays With You In a Hurricane

hen a hurricane hits, you may have to evacuate your home, but you can always take WINK News, The Weather Authority, with you. Even if you can’t watch TV, you can still stay informed with the sort of up-to-the-minute storm coverage Southwest Florida relies on from WINK. Reports from WINK News Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell, Meteorologists Matt Devitt and Scott

Zedecker, and the entire Weather Authority team, are available over radio, online or on your smartphone. You can also follow storm coverage on 96.9 WINK-FM, 97.7FM Latino or watch live reports at WINKnews.com or on the WINK

News app. Whenever severe weather strikes, you can always trust WINK News, The Weather Authority, to keep you informed with the latest, most accurate updates available anytime, anyplace. •

FOR ADVERTISING I N F O R M AT I O N C O N TA C T Rob Wardlaw Associate Publisher (239) 449-4145 rwardlaw@gulfshorebusiness.com

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