FLORIDA — From Gov. Ron DeSantis to the TV weather forecaster, Floridians from Miami to Tampa Bay are being urged to prepare before what is now Tropical Storm Ian morphs into a powerful hurricane.
FloridaDisaster.org is a website that walks Floridians through the process of setting up a family or business plan.
It starts by asking you to fill out your name, address and county of residence. It then asks you how many family members you have in your household broken down by adults, infants and toddlers, children, the elderly and any special needs.
Next, it asks you how many dogs, cats or other pets you have in your residence and then it asks you to list an out-of-town contact who your household members can check in with if you become separated.
It also asks you to select a common meeting location in case your home is inaccessible.
That's it. You can now download the plan or go back and edit it as necessary.
Related: Tropical Storm Ian: DeSantis Orders State Of Emergency For 24 Counties
Residents should complete these safety precautions before a storm arrives:
To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
Include face coverings, hand sanitizer, and disinfectants in a go-bag to prevent the spread of the coronavirus if you are evacuated. Also, make sure you include:
The American Veterinary Medical Association has published "Pets and Disasters," a resource for pet owners that includes tips on how to create a pet evacuation kit, what to do if your pet is lost and what to do after a disaster.
Be prepared for a disaster with a pet evacuation kit. Assemble the kit well in advance of any emergency and store in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container close to an exit.
Food and Medicine To Have For Your Pets:
In addition to these tips, you might also want to make sure your pet is chipped and that you have a recent photo of your pet with you in case they get lost.
Find more tips and advice on the federal government's Ready.gov website.
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