Communities across the United States are still recovering from the devastation wrought by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
The 2018 season officially begins June 1 and researchers at Colorado State University and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center estimate it will once again be a near or above normal year. An active season means more storms with heavier impacts.
CSU originally predicted 14 named storms, with seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes and will continue to update its forecast throughout the season. When Irma struck Florida, residents faced major power outages, a shortage of gasoline and supplies and, in some cases, damage from the storm.
During the 2018 Hurricane Outlook News Conference Rear Admiral (RADM) Michael J. Silah, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, said NOAA put more than 500 hours to support better hurricane forecast and emergency response during last season. He led the Aircraft Operations Center from MacDill Air Force Base to its new facility in Lakeland.
“Our preparations are well underway to ensure we’re ready for the 2018 hurricane season and yours should be, too,” Silah said.
Taking steps to prepare oneself for an active season can help prevent disaster in the case of an unexpected storm. Florida residents can use the sales tax holiday from June 1 through 7 to replenish depleted hurricane supplies. The 2018 holiday is more than twice as long as it was last year.
Many essential items will be a part of the exemption including: gas tanks under $25, batteries under $30, flashlights under $20, radios under $50, portable generators under $750 and waterproof sheeting under $50.
In the days prior to Irma many local stores were facing a shortage of the in-demand items, causing several families to go without following the storm.
Portable phone chargers, batteries, canned goods, batteries, portable lanterns, batteries, coolers and, in case it is understated, batteries are essential for an effective hurricane kit. In 2017 Irma came, caused its damage and abated, leaving the state in recovery mode. In 2004, Floridians weren’t as lucky.
Four hurricanes essentially came back-to-back. Hurricane Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne all directly impacted the state in the span of two months. Many residents didn’t have time to replenish their hurricane kits before the next one struck.
Start prepping early to protect your home and property. Take a video or photos of all of your valuables and have it saved on the cloud or on a drive that you can still access in case your phones or laptops are damaged. This will prove instrumental when you need to make claims for your insurance.
Al Van Duyne, spokesman for Plant City Police Department, said it is important for people to take appropriate precautions to safeguard their home and property.
“Fortify your home's security with plywood over windows and doors, protect against flooding with sandbags,” Van Duyne said. “Familiarize yourself with the provisions of your insurance with regard to property damage. Use your phone video or a camcorder to document all of the valuables in your home. Narrate it by stating what the items are and zoom in on make, model and serial number.”
When a storm is announced, don’t wait until you’re staring down the eye to start boarding up your home. Go to the hardware store early and stock up on supplies. Make minor home repairs now, specifically targeting your gutters, trusses, roof or anything else that is easily damaged by high winds and rain.
Any important documents — birth certificate, Medicare cards, passports, car titles, etc — need to have digital copies that you can reprint if they are destroyed. You can also purchase watertight bags for those invaluable family photos and heirlooms.
No two hurricanes are alike. It’s vital to have multiple evacuation plans in place that vary depending on the severity of the storm and the likelihood of home damage. Staying informed is key and updating the plan based on the storm’s forecasted path of travel will help ensure a safe drive.
Evacuating in and of itself can be a catch-22. During evacuations, thousands of cars flock toward the major highways, causing interstates to become glorified parking lots. If you don’t live in an evacuation zone, experts recommend you shelter in place to help ease the traffic for those in danger.
Van Duyne said those who decide to shelter in place should notify law enforcement and fire rescue personnel and have enough essential supplies to last each person in the household for a minimum five days. This includes everything from baby formula to prescriptions.
One of the largest victims of any hurricane inevitably becomes the pets abandoned or not properly cared for through the storm. Following Irma, Animal Care and Control officers in Palm Beach County attempted to file felony prosecutions against those who abandoned their pets to the brunt of the storm.
Even the Florida Department of Health got involved, reminding residents that floodwaters are dangerous to both humans and pets and that they should not be left crated or chained up during the major storm.
If you have a pet, keep all of their vaccination records and microchip info in a waterproof bag, have a crate ready to take with you in case of evacuation, set aside at least a week’s worth of food and water and know which hotels welcome pets.
Microchips should not be done at the last minute. They can be purchased for $25 from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and frequent charity events offer the service for an even lower cost.
Once a hurricane is approaching the state, stay up to date on its path and official’s recommendations for your area by following local news sites, NOAA, FEMA and local government on social media. NOAA will update the 2018 Atlantic Seasonal Outlook right before the peak of the season in early August.