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Hurricane Preparedness
Florida Department of Health - St. Johns County
- 904-506-6081
- StJohnsFeedback@flhealth.gov
-
Mailing Address
200 San Sebastian View
Saint Augustine, Florida 32084
Be Prepared This Hurricane Season
St. Johns County residents have experienced many storms throughout history . When the waves swell, the wind blows, and rain starts to pour you will ask yourself, how prepared or unprepared are you?
Hurricane Safety Messages with
American Sign Language (ASL)
Determine Your Risk
The threats from hurricanes to you and your family can vary widely depending on where you live. It is not just those along the coast that can experience significant, life-threatening impacts. Evaluate what you need to do to protect your home , family , and business NOW.
Develop An Evacuation Plan
Make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you are in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. During a hurricane evacuation order, St. Johns County mobile home residents must evacuate regardless of their zone. If you are, figure out where you would go and how you would get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who does not live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about.
As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials.
Assemble Disaster Supplies
Just having enough supplies to make it through a hurricane is not enough. You need plenty to make it through what could be a LONG recovery period too. Water and electricity could be out for a week or more. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family for a MINIMUM of one week. Also make sure you have extra cash, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and a portable crank or solar powered USB charger to charge your cell phone.
Build an Emergency Supply Kit with help from www.Ready.gov/kit.
Don't Forget Pets When Preparing
Remember, when preparing for a hurricane what is good for you is good for your pet, so get them ready today. These Pet Preparedness Tips can help you to prepare now. Pay attention to local guidance about updated plans for evacuations and shelters, including potential shelters for your pets.
Resources:
- Animal Welfare Websites
- Country Property – Disaster Planning Guidelines
- Is Your Pet Ready – Preparing Before a Disaster
- SJC Pet Shelter Brochure
Get An Insurance Checkup
Call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Remember, standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, you will need a separate Flood Insurance policy. Visit www.FloodSmart.gov to get started. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period .
Strengthen Your Home
If you plan to ride out the storm in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds. Follow these tips to prepare Before the Storm.
Help Your Neighbor
Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes . Start the conversation now with these Neighbor Helping Neighbor strategies.
Complete a Written Plan
The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know who issues evacuation orders for St. Johns County: Emergency Management, determine locations on where you will seek shelter from the storm, and start to get your supplies ready now. Prepare Your Family Disaster Plan today, visit:
- Florida Disaster.org
Preparing for the Hurricane Season - Family Communications Plan for Kids
Do you know how to get in touch with your family? - Family Communications Plan for Parents
Does your family know how to get in touch with each other? - Red Cross
Make a Disaster Preparedness Plan! - St. Johns County Emergency Management
View preparedness publications.
Print the St. Johns County
Hurricane Preparedness Guide
Remember, it only takes one storm to change your life and community. For more information on hurricane preparedness in St. Johns County, visit: St. Johns County Emergency Management – Hurricane Preparedness.
Stay Informed this Hurricane Season
Receive alerts about emergencies by signing up for the new
St. Johns County Emergency Notification System:
Alert St. Johns
The Alert St. Johns system will replace the Code Red notification System, so it is imperative that residents sign up for these critical notifications.
PLEASE NOTE: Some addresses within St. Johns County may not be immediately recognized by the Alert St. Johns system. If yours is one of them, follow the instructions to have your address added manually.
Additional Resources:
- Alert St. Johns — Emergency Notification System
- Alert St. Johns will replace Code Red notification System so it is imperative that residents sign up for these critical notifications.
- Be Prepared. Get Connected.
- Being Informed — St. Johns County
- FEMA — Mobile App
- Florida Disaster.org – Division of Emergency Management
- National Hurricane Center
- NOAA Weather Radio
- St. Johns County Emergency Management
- State Assistance Information Line (SAIL)
- Wireless Emergency Alerts
Take Care of Mental Health
Dealing with multiple disasters is difficult, but taking care of emotional health helps people think clearly and react to urgent needs.
View these additional resources about mental health:
- Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
- Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" (for English) or " Hablanos" (for Spanish) to 66746
Treatment Locator
Additional Resources
The source for portions of this content is the National Weather Service — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For more information on hurricane preparedness visit:
- Emergency Management – St. Johns County
- FloridaDisaster.org – Division of Emergency Management
- Hurricane Preparedness – American Red Cross
- Hurricane Strong – Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
- Hurricanes and Other Tropical Storms
- National Hurricane Center
- National Hurricane Preparedness
- NOAA – Weather Radio
- NWS – Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources
- Ready.gov – Hurricanes
- Special Medical Needs Shelter – St. Johns County
Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files.
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