All 6 Weekend Picks Canceled Due to Hurricane Irma 

Make a Plan

Disasters often strike quickly and without warning. A disaster can
force you to evacuate your home or office, separate you from your family
and affect your access to every day necessities like food, water and
electricity.

Making a plan for your family or business is essential to answering questions like:

• Where do I go if I can’t find my family members?
• What do we do if we do not have water or electricity?
• How quickly can my business re-open?

To answer these questions and create your own family or business emergency plan, click here.

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Build a Kit

A disaster kit makes resources necessary to keep you and your family
or your business safe during and after a disaster easily accessible.

Your disaster kit supplies should be stored in an easy-to-carry container.

Here are some examples of great disaster kit containers:

• Large, hard-sided container (ex: plastic storage container)
• Camping backpack
• Duffle bag

Keep your kit stored in a convenient place that is known to all
family members or employees. You should also keep a smaller version of
this disaster kit in your car.

Your disaster kit should include enough supplies to last you and your family for a minimum of 3 days.

Water

Store water in plastic containers such as empty soft drink bottles or
milk jugs. Avoid containers that will decompose or break, such as milk
cartons or glass bottles. The average person needs to drink at least two
quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical
activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill
people will need more.

Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for
drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation). Store 1 1/2 to 2
gallons a day for the elderly. Keep at least a three-day supply of water
per person.

 Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select
foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little
to no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno (canned heat)
or a camping stove. Select compact and lightweight foods.

The following items make good emergency rations:

• Emergency food bars (specially designed to provide nutrients and calories)
• Military MRE rations (no cooking required)
• Dehydrated camping meals (may require cooking)
• Canned or bagged tuna, chicken and ham. Can be made into sandwiches or cooked with pasta or rice side dishes.
• Granola bars and energy bars
• Dried fruit
• Individually wrapped snacks and puddings
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Hard candy, such as peppermints
• Just-add-water side dishes to mix with canned meat and vegetables
• Can opener

When purchasing food for your emergency kit or to stock up before a
storm, remember to purchase items you would normally eat, so you will
eat the leftovers after the storm.

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and for each car. A first aid kit should include:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
• Sunscreen
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Sewing needle
• Moist towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tongue depressors (2)
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Non-prescription drugs
• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Clothing and Bedding

Keep a set of clean bedding and extra sets of clean clothes in an
easy-to-carry suitcase or duffle bag as part of your emergency kit.
During an evacuation, laundry facilities may not be available. You also
may be away from your home for an extended period of time.

• Keep a set of clean bedding and extra sets of clean clothes in an
  easy-to-carry suitcase or duffle bag as part of your emergency kit.
  During an evacuation, laundry facilities may not be available. You also
  may be away from your home for an extended period of time.
• Remember to dress for the weather and pack extra shoes and rain gear, like ponchos and umbrellas.

Tools and Supplies

• Paper cups, 
• plates and plastic utensils (mess kits) 
• Emergency preparedness manual 
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries 
• Flashlight and extra batteries 
• Non-electric can opener 
• Plastic sheeting (10′ by 10′) 
•  Duct tape 
•  Plastic storage containers 
•  Whistle 
•  A corded telephone 
• Household chlorine bleach 
•  One complete change of clothing and footwear per person. 
•  Rain gear 
• Blankets or sleeping bags 

Special Items

For Baby 

• Formula 
• Diapers 
• Bottles 
• Powdered milk 
• Medications (2 weeks supply) 

For Adults 

• Medication 
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs (2 weeks’ supply) 
• Denture needs 
• Contact lenses and supplies 
• Extra eye glasses 
• Entertainment
  Games and books 

Important Family Documents Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:

• Will
• insurance policies
• contracts
• deeds, stocks and bonds
  Passports
• social security cards
• immunization records 
• Bank account numbers 
•  Credit card account numbers and companies 
•  Inventory of valuable household goods
• important telephone numbers 
•  Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

Don’t Forget

• Keep items in airtight plastic bags. 
•  Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. 
• Replace your stored food every six months. 
•  Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. 
•  Replace batteries, update clothes, etc. 
•  Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

As of 7pm 9/8/17…HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT… *

LOCATIONS AFFECTED – Orlando – Apopka – Christmas *

WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 60-75 mph with gusts to 90 mph – Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Sunday afternoon until Monday afternoon –

CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Extreme – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – Emergency planning should include a reasonable threat for major hurricane force wind greater than 110 mph of equivalent Category 3 intensity or higher. – To be safe, aggressively prepare for the potential of devastating to catastrophic wind impacts. Efforts should now be underway to secure all properties. – Extremely dangerous and life-threatening wind is possible. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury, loss of life, or immense human suffering. –

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic – Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. – Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. – Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. – Widespread power and communications outages. * FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 8-12 inches, with locally higher amounts –

CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – Emergency planning should include a reasonable threat for moderate flooding where peak rainfall totals notably exceed amounts conducive for flash flooding and rapid inundation. Rescues and emergency evacuations are possible. – To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant flooding rain impacts. – Dangerous flooding is possible. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. If flood related watches and warnings are issued, heed recommended actions. –

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swift currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches will overflow. – Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions will become hazardous with some road and bridge closures. * TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is favorable for tornadoes –

CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate – The tornado threat has increased from the previous assessment. – Emergency planning should include a reasonable threat for tornadoes, with a few possibly strong in intensity. – To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant tornado impacts. – Listen for tornado watches and warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly if a tornado approaches. –

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – The occurrence of tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. – Several places may experience tornado damage with a few locations seeing considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. – Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: – Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency – https://www.ready.gov – Local weather conditions and forecasts – http://www.weather.gov/mlb

During a hurricane
Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Be extra careful when walking outside.
Storm damage such as downed power lines and fallen debris could injure you.

Y6 hours before arrival
Close storm shutters if possible and stay away from windows.
Flying glass from 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.

6 to 12 hours before arrival
Turn on your TV/radio, or check your local government’s website frequently.
You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Charge your phone.
You’ll have a full battery if you lose power.

12 to 36 hours before arrival
Bring in outdoor furniture and other items that could blow away.
These may become a safety hazard.
Bookmark your local government’s website.
This gives you quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.

36 to 48 hours before arrival
Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit.
Include a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power.
For example, you can use phone, text, social media, or email.
Create an evacuation plan with your family.
You may have to leave quickly.