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Local emergency management agencies notify communities if an evacuation order is issued and whether it is voluntary, phased, or mandatory.  Residents in Dorian’s path in Florida can learn if an evacuation order has been issued by visiting https://www.floridadisaster.org/info/. If an evacuation order has been issued for your county, follow the guidance of local public safety officials and consider these helpful tips below:

• Fill your car with fuel and be prepared for slow moving traffic throughout the evacuation
• Carry cash, if any is left at local ATMs
• Bring your pets and animals and do not leave them behind
• Prepare your home
• Pack your hurricane evacuation supplies with you, you may need them at a shelter
• Select an evacuation route based on local public safety guidance
• Maintain a means of receiving emergency alerts and warnings, like the AccuWeather app
• If you have small children, bring books or puzzles to keep them entertained during the long drive

If you are evacuating and have a service animal, you will be able to bring it into any public emergency shelter. If your pet is not a service animal, you will need to locate a pet-friendly emergency shelter. A list of pet-friendly shelters can be found here https://www.bringfido.com/emergency/hurricane/.

Sheltering-in-Place?

If there is no evacuation order issued for your community and you feel safe remaining at home during the storm, prepare for seven* days of power outages and utility interruption. This can be done by following the steps below:

• Fill your family vehicles with fuel
• Carry cash, if any is left at local ATMs
• Bring outdoor furniture and appliances indoors so that it does not become airborne debris
• Prepare your hurricane evacuation supplies and keep them in an easy-to-access centralized location
• Maintain a means of receiving emergency alerts and warnings, like the AccuWeather app
• Make sure that you keep non-digital means of entertainment if the power goes out, especially if you have children or young teenagers
• Do not light candles or any open fires if utilities fail! They may spark a fire that a fire department cannot respond to until conditions are safe.

Hurricane Evacuation Supplies

Whether you’re sheltering-in-place, evacuating, or just preparing for the next storm, consider the following guidance found on FEMA’s Ready.gov website as you build your kit:

• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least seven* days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food – at least a seven-day* supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

For a complete list of supplies that you should pack in your kit, visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

Prepare for Seven Days of Disruption

During Wednesday afternoon’s press conference, Florida governor Ron DeSantis recommended that Floridians have “seven days of supplies, including food, water and medicine.” Although communities and households are normally guided towards preparing for three days of disruption, the severity of Hurricane Dorian has prompted state officials to encourage all persons to prepare for seven days of potential disruption.

Hurricane or Tropical Storm? Know the Difference!

• Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch: Hurricane watches are triggered 48 hours before the onset of 39 mph winds. Stay tuned into alerts and look over evacuation route. Double-check emergency preparedness kit.
• Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning: Hurricane warnings are triggered within 36 hours before the onset of 39 mph winds.
• If you are in the evacuation zone, visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/info/ to see if it is time to evacuate to a public emergency shelter with your family and pets. Stay in contact with family and friends using phones or social media to let them know you’re safe.