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Hurricane Preparedness

Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County

904-506-6081
StJohnsFeedback@FLhealth.gov
Fax
904-825-6875
Mailing Address
200 San Sebastian View

St. Augustine, FL 32084

2024 Hurricane Preparedness Guide

St. Johns County Hurricane Preparedness Guide
Preparedness Braille Toolkit for Visually Impaired

Be Prepared for 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?

Flood Risk: What is Coastal Flooding?

Hurricane Safety Messages with
American Sign Language (ASL)

Video Link: Hurricane Safety Messages in American Sign Language

Hurricane Safety Messages
ASL with Captions

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.

Hurricane Hazards Risk

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 evacuation zone or if you are in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane.

During an evacuation order, St. Johns County mobile home residents must evacuate regardless of their zone.

If you live within an evacuation zone, have an evacuation plan in place so you know where and how you would get there. It is not always necessary to evacuate long distances. 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.

Listen to local officials for updates in your community.

Evacuation Plan

Assemble Disaster Supplies

Just having enough supplies to make it through a severe weather event is not enough. You need plenty to make it through what could potentially be a LONG recovery period. 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

Hurricane Supplies

Plan for Pets

Remember, when preparing for a hurricane what is good for you, is good for your pet. Thesepet p 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

Is Your Pet Ready – Preparing Before a Disaster

Video Link: Perparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners

Preparing for Pet Owners

Do an Insurance Check-up

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. Typically, standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding.

Whether you are a homeowner or renter, you will need a separate Flood Insurance policy. Learn more about flood insurance to get started - flood insurance usually requires a 30-day waiting period.

Learn more about Hurricane Flooding

Flood Insurance

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.

Strengthening Home

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 neighbor helping neighbors strategies.

Helping Your Neighbors

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:

Florida Emergency Management
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
Emergency Supply Checklist

Important Things to Know Before a Disaster

St. Johns County
Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Remember, it only takes one storm to change your life and community.

Visit St. Johns County Emergency Management – Hurricane Preparedness for more information on hurricane preparedness.

Storm Surge

Stay Informed

Alert St. Johns – Emergency Notification System

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.