If a hurricane struck Florida tomorrow, would you be ready? A new AAA survey reveals that many residents would not be.
Survey Highlights
■ 43% of Floridians do not have an emergency plan
■ 29% would not evacuate their home if they were warned to
■ 60% of Floridians who would evacuate would only leave for a Category 3 hurricane or greater
“Don’t wait until Florida is in the cone of uncertainty, get ready now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gather supplies while they’re still on the shelves, develop an evacuation plan, and prepare your home.”
Hurricane Preparation Tips
Here are some things people can do right now to prepare for the storm season.
Protecting your Home
■ Secure Your Home – Inspect your home for minor repairs needed to roof, windows, down spouts, etc. Trim trees or bushes that could cause damage to your home in case of high winds.
■ Take Inventory – Update your home inventory by walking through your home with a video camera or smart phone. Keep a record of large purchases including the cost of the item, when purchased and model and serial numbers as available. Store important documents in a portable waterproof container.
■ Stock Emergency Supplies – Plan for a week’s worth of non-perishable food and water. Be sure to have flashlights, extra batteries, battery-powered radio, medications, first aid kit, blankets, toiletries, diapers, cleaning supplies, etc. Prepare a portable kit to keep in your car should you need to evacuate.
■ Identify a Safe Room – Identify a room where family members should gather, in case of emergency. This is typically an interior room with no windows.
■ Protect your Property – Review your homeowners insurance with your licensed insurance agent to determine if you have adequate protection. Discuss your deductibles. Be aware that flood insurance is not typically covered under your homeowner’s policy. Flooding coverage for your automobile is available via an optional “comprehensive” inclusion to your auto insurance policy.
Preparing for Evacuation
■ Make a Contact Plan – Identify ways to contact your family members, alternate meeting locations, and an out-of-town contact person. Anticipate limited cell phone service.
■ Know Your Evacuation Route – Go to FloridaDisaster.org to track the recommended evacuation route for your region.
■ Choose Multiple Destinations – Identify several places you will go in an emergency, such as a friend’s home, in another town, a hotel or shelter. Choose destinations in different directions so you have options during an emergency.
■ Research Shelter Availability – Check with local officials about the availability of evacuation shelters. Your regular shelter may not open this year due to COVID-19. If you evacuate to a community shelter, follow the latest guidelines from the CDC.
■ Prepare your Pets – Identify a place to stay that will accept pets. Most public shelters allow only service animals.
■ Prepare your Vehicle for Evacuation – Have your vehicle professionally inspected so it’s ready for evacuation. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.
■ Gas Up – If an evacuation seems likely, ensure you have a full tank of gas. Fuel responsibly. Do not hoard gasoline. The pre-storm surge in gasoline demand often leads to temporary fuel outages before the storm. After the storm, be aware that gas stations may be closed or unable to pump gas due to structural damage or power outages. As a result, AAA suggests you begin looking for a refueling option after your tank drops below half full.
About the AAA Consumer Pulse Survey: The AAA Consumer Pulse Survey was conducted online among residents living in Florida from March 12 - 18, 2021. A total of 400 residents completed the survey. Survey results asked of all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 4.9% points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida.
