Hurricane

JUNE 1-NOVEMBER 30
HURRICANE
2016
SEASON GUIDE
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
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H U R R ICANE PR EP A R ED N ESS G UI D E
HURRICANE GUIDE
2016 contents
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Hunting Hurricanes
Hurricane Readiness Checklist
Keeping Your Pets Safe
Hurricane Forecasters Uncertain
Hurricane Tracking
Hurricane Safety Checklist
Safely Store Your Boat
Monroe County Hurricane Shelters
Evacuate Means Evacuate
Keys Energy: What to Expect
Know Your Coverage
Medical Needs
Generator Safety
2016 Hurricane Guide
PUBLISHER
Paul Clarin
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Melanie Arnold
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Dannielle Larrabee
Tim Christensen
WRITER
Gena Parsons
A COOKE COMMUNICATIONS FLORIDA LLC PUBLICATION
›››
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HURRICANE HUNTER HISTORY
In 1943, on a barroom dare, Maj. Joe Duckworth and navigator Lt. Ralph O’Hair flew
a propeller-driven, single-engine North American AT-6 “Texan” trainer into the eye
of a storm off Galveston, Tex., as the first, albeit unauthorized, airborne attempt to
obtain data for use in plotting the position of a tropical cyclone as it approached
land. In 1944, the first weather reconnaissance squadron was activated at Gander,
Newfoundland, to fly weather tracks between North America and Allied Western
Europe. Following World War II, the squadron was based at numerous sites including
Bermuda, England and Saudi Arabia. The Hurricane Hunters settled in their present
location at Keesler AFB in Mississippi in 1973.
H U R R ICANE PR EP A R ED N ESS G UI D E
HUNTING
hurri
canes
T
BY GENA PARSONS
hey are the ultimate storm chasers,
the brave men and women
who dare to fly into the eye of a
hurricane so that landlubbers are
warned of impending danger.
They accomplish their daring duties in three
types of customized aircraft: a military cargo
plane, a four-engine turboprop and a sleek
Gulfstream IV.
The ten US Air Force Reserve WC130Js, commanded by the 53rd Weather
Reconnaissance Squadron, are considered
the workhorses that scientists depend
on for much of their storm data. The
crew of five, consisting of a pilot, copilot,
navigator, flight meteorologist and weather
reconnaissance loadmaster, traverses
turbulent skies at 500 to 10,000 feet
releasing sensors to help determine a
storm’s strength, speed and direction.
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
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“I’VE NEVER BEEN
SCARED,”said USAFR weather
›››
officer Maj. Nicole Mitchell. “I actually think
it’s a really awesome job as a meteorologist
because you get to be in the middle of it,
but also you can see the data going directly
into what people will find out. So that’s
really gratifying.”
THE
US AIR
FORCE
Reserve WC-130J,
one of 10 planes
commanded by
the 53rd Weather
Reconnaissance
Squadron as
Hurricane Hunters,
on display at the
Marathon airport in
May 2015 during the
East Coast Hurricane
Awareness Tour.
6•
Based at Keesler Air Force Base in
Biloxi, Miss., the Super Hercules aircraft
provide surveillance of tropical storms
and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, the
Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and
the central Pacific Ocean for the National
Hurricane Center in Miami. Once inside
the storm, meteorologists, like Maj.
Mitchell, become the mission directors
making sure the proper data is collected,
checked for quality control and sent to
the hurricane center for analysis.
“Once you actually get into the center
of the storm, we’ll be asking the pilots
to steer this way, steer that way, using
the winds to find the actual dead center.
Once there, we typically release a sonde
or take some of other measurement to
tell us what the pressure is. That’ll tell us
how strong the storm is,” she said.
H U R R ICANE PR EP A R ED N ESS G UI D E
The parachute-borne dropwindsonde
contains a GPS antenna and receiver,
atmospheric pressure and humidity
sensors, a microprocessor that digitizes
data and controls data transmission, and
a battery that lasts about an hour. A builtin radio transmitter sends temperature,
humidity, pressure and GPS data to the
plane every half second until the 16-inch
cylinder hits the water or is otherwise
disabled.
Complementing the USAFR crews is
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Corps, the nation’s
smallest uniformed service, flying highlyspecialized research and operational
aircraft – two P-3 Orion turboprop planes
and one Gulfstream IV-SP – based at
MacDill AFB in Tampa.
NOSE CONE RADAR
Lt. Cmdr. Jason Mansour explains how the
nose cone’s special C-band navigation
radar steers the Gulfstream IV through the
toughest weather conditions.
›››
G-IV Crew Chief Angel Negron
illustrates how dropwindsondes
are used at high altitudes to sense
conditions inside a tropical system.
Like the WC-130Js, the smaller
P-3s slice through blinding rain
and violent winds at low altitudes
repeatedly probing wind and
pressure changes during the
course of a ten-hour mission.
Meanwhile, the G-IV, flying at
45,000 feet with a range of 4000
nautical miles, covers thousands of
square miles around and above a
tropical cyclone.
“Our job is basically to provide
high-level meteorological data
in order to feed the models and
provide a platform to do hurricane
research and, therefore, help with
hurricane forecast improvements,”
explained NOAA G-IV pilot and
Public Affairs Officer Lt. David
B. Cowan. “We’re more the
science aspect to research and
development. We’re working in
parallel a lot of times with them.”
The most state-of-the-art
airplane in NOAA’s fleet transports
two to three pilots, one or two
meteorologists, a data system
technician, two dropwindsonde
operators and a Tail Doppler
Radar operator who acquires 3-D
hurricane core wind field data.
“We have a specialized radar
system on the back of the aircraft
that sort of takes a cross-sectional
view of the storm, almost like
you’re cutting a cake and looking
at the different layers of the storm.
That’s really invaluable to the
folks at the National Hurricane
Center to let them gain an idea
of the structure of the storm and
whether the storm is growing and
strengthening or weakening,” Lt.
Cowan said.
The plane also deploys up to
30 dropwindsondes each flight,
one every 20 minutes, to map
steering currents that influence
storm movement. A specialized
C-band navigation radar in the
plane’s nose guides the weather
warriors through adverse weather
conditions.
“We get bumped around a little
bit every once in a while. It’s not
much worse than any airline flight
you’ve ever been on,” Lt. Cowan
commented. “We have a talented
group of individuals onboard this
aircraft that have been doing this
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
7
ORION ›››
for a very long time and they have
the resources necessary onboard
the aircraft and a great set of eyes
and ears. So they’re able to identify
the threats and keep us out of
harms’ way.”
The Hurricane Hunter aircraft
are on standby June 1 to Nov.
30. During non-hurricane season
months, NOAA’s P-3s and G-IV are
tailored for use in other severe
weather and atmospheric research
programs around the world. The
USAFR unit also flies winter storm
missions off both coasts of the
United States. ■
GONZO,KERMIT
AND MISS
PIGGYon the NOAA
Hurricane Hunter aircraft came
about because one of the P-3s had
been referred to as the “pig” due to
its unattractive appearance. Crew
members set out to improve the
plane’s look and took to calling
it Miss Piggy after the fastidious
Muppet character.
8•
H U R R ICANE PR EP A R ED N ESS G UI D E
Henson Productions approved and created
nose art logos for all three aircraft. The Aircraft
Operations Center that maintains the NOAA
planes uses the logos to pique children’s
interest in atmospheric research.
Lt. David B. Cowan pilots Gonzo, the nickname given the G-IV aircraft.
HU RRIC ANE HU NTERS: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
HURRICANE
FINANCIAL CHECKLIST

Hurricane Loans
A Mortgage, Home Equity Line of Credit, or Personal Loan can
provide peace of mind knowing that money is on hand to prepare
and, if necessary, recover quickly from a hurricane. A First State
Bank loan can help you to secure your home, purchase generators,
or make repairs after a storm. Apply for a mortgage or personal
loan online @KeysBank.com.
 Electronic Banking
Online, Mobile, and Text Banking, Mobile Deposit, Direct Deposit,
and BillPay ensure that payroll and other important banking
transactions can happen automatically or on the go. Enroll today at
KeysBank.com or with the KeysBank Mobile App to access to your
accounts 24/7, even if you have to evacuate.

Debit & ATM Cards
First State Bank Debit and ATM cards are essential for quick cash
access when banks are closed or if you have to evacuate.
Remember, your FSB Debit and ATM cards work at over 1,000 Publix
Presto! ATMs with NO fees and you can get cash back with your
Debit card purchase at many businesses. Instant issue cards are
available at our 11 Keyswide locations, get yours today!
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In the event of a power failure, electronic means of payment like
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H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
9
HURRICANE
READINESS
checklist
Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage
to property from hurricanes are responsibilities that
are shared by everyone. Any time you are asked
to evacuate, you should do so without delay. It is
important for you and your family to have a plan that
makes you as safe as possible. Preparedness includes
having the supplies on hand to weather any storm.
Finally, stay informed.
HOME PREPAREDNESS
• Board up your windows
or close storm shutters.
• Trim the trees and shrubs
around your home.
• Clear loose and clogged
downspouts and rain
gutters.
BEFORE
THE STORM
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS
THROUGH THE SEASON
• Keep your vehicle gas
tank above 1/2 full through
the season.
• Test run generators
monthly with a load to
insure proper working
order.
• Have cash on hand in
small denominations for
year-round preparedness.
• Maintain portable battery
powered AM radio.
• Register if you need
transportation assistance
to evacuate.
10 •
• Perform an inventory
of home contents
(electronics, jewelry,
appliances, clothing, etc.)
and store in a safe place.
• Take detailed photos(s)/
videos(s) of home property
and contents (internal and
external) and store in safe
place.
IF YOU PLAN TO
EVACUATE
• What is your zip code?
• Are you located in an
evacuation area in the
evacuation map?
• Where are you
evacuating?
• Who is your contact at
your destination?
• What is their contact
information?
• What is your backup
evacuation location?
• Take a copy of allimportant documents
and store in a waterproof
container and in a secure
location.
• Top off your vehicle gas
tank before hitting the
road.
• Fill the bathtub and large
containers with water
for sanitary purposes
(cleaning, flushing toilets.)
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
• Turn the refrigerator
and freezer to its coldest
setting and keep its
doors closed. Avoid using
the phone except for
emergencies.
• Stay indoors during
the storm and away from
windows and glass doors.
• Close all interior doors.
Keep curtains and blinds
closed.
• Take refuge in a small
interior room, closet, or
hallway on the lowest level
of your home.
IF YOU ARE RETURNING
FROM EVACUATION
• Return only after the all
clear is given for your area.
• Tie down small or young
trees to prevent uprooting.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Listen to the radio or TV
for information.
AFTER THE
STORM
• Secure or remove all
items outside your home
(grill, hanging plants,
potted plants, etc.).
• Store all-important
documents (insurance
papers, etc) in a
waterproof container
and in a secure location.
DURING THE
STORM
IF YOU PLAN TO STAY
• Listen to the radio or TV
for information.
• If you have gas items
you need to operate after
the storm (generator,
chainsaw, etc), fill gas
storage container(s).
• Do not venture on to
roads until you have been
advised they are passable
and safe. Be on the lookout
for downed power lines
and avoid if identified.
• If any safety issues are
present, do not enter your
home (gas smell, flood
waters, fire damage, etc.).
If any safety issues are
present, have your home
inspected by a qualified
building inspector or
engineer.
• Watch for and avoid loose
animals and poisonous
snakes.
• Avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning hazards; DO
NOT run generators, grills,
or other gas operated
appliances indoors.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
• Have a fire extinguisher
readily available in the case
of a fire.
• Watch for safety hazards
(loose boards, slippery
floors, broken glass, etc.)
• Check with local
authorities or have well
water tested before using
any water (could be
contaminated).
• Throw away any spoiled
food items or those that
have come in contact with
floodwaters. When in doubt
throw it out!
• Until cleared with
authorities or tested, all
water should be boiled for
1 minute at a rolling boil to
disinfect before drinking.
• Avoid using any toilets
until you have checked
for sewage or water line
damage. If you suspect
damage call a plumber.
Service damaged sewage
systems as soon as possible
as they present serious
health hazards (septic
tanks, pits, etc.)
• Check your smoke
and carbon monoxide
detectors to ensure they are
functioning properly. If any
damage is identified to your
home, contact your insurance
company to start a claim.
Photograph any damage.
COMMUNICATION
• Portable, battery-powered
AM/FM radio
EMERGENCY
ESSENTIALS KIT FOOD
• 7-day supply of nonperishable food that
doesn’t need cooking
• Hand-operated can opener
• Plastic plates, cups, utensils
• Water 1 gallon of drinking
water per person per day
enough for 5 days
• NOAA All Hazards
Alert Radio
• Landline phone with a
long cord
• Extra batteries for
flashlights, lanterns, radio
• Extra cell phone
battery or car charger
• Whistle
• Carefully check for
damage to the roof,
foundation, and chimney. If
the building looks unstable
do not enter. Use a stick or
other tool to sift through
debris.
• Open cabinets cautiously.
Beware of objects that can
fall off shelves.
• If you smell natural gas,
leave the structure and
contact your local gas utility
company.
• Use a battery powered
flashlight to inspect the
structure. Do not use oil
or gas lanterns or candles
inside the structure.
• If structural damage is
present, turn off utilities.
• Do not use electrical
appliances that have
been wet/damaged until
checked by a professional.
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407018 HT
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
11
FAMILY SAFETY ITEMS
BABY ITEMS
• Smoke detector with
battery for each floor
• Formula, bottles,
powdered milk
• Carbon monoxide
detector with battery
backup
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Diaper rash ointment
• Fire extinguisher
• Non-scented bleach
for sanitization
• Sunscreen
PERSONAL HYGIENE
• Insect repellant
• Hand sanitizer or
disinfectant wipes
• Shovel and other
basic tools
TRANSPORTATION ITEMS
• State & regional road maps
• Basic repair items (tools,
tire patch kit, engine oil)
• Emergency Road Safety
Triangles
• Toilet paper, paper
towels, garbage bags
• Dental care and vision
products
• Travel-size soaps and
other beauty supplies
• Change of clothes, pair
of shoes and blanket per
person
LIGHTING
• Flashlights for each
family member with extra
batteries
• Fluorescent lanterns for
each common area
• Games, books, puzzles
FIRST AID
• First aid kit
• Waterproof matches or a
utility lighter
• Backup prescriptions for
essential medications
PET NEEDS
• 7-day supply of nonperishable pet food and
water
• Cage or pet carrier and
leash
• Pet medications and pet
first-aid kit
• Current photo in case
you are separated
• Cat litter and box
PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS
CLEAN AIR ITEMS
• Nose and mouth protection
masks (N-95 rating)
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Pet bed and toys
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HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
• List all the brand name
and generic prescription
medications you currently
take.
• Doctor’s Name &
Number
• List all Nonprescription
Medications, Vitamins, and
Supplements ■
Make sure your family
has a plan in case of an
emergency. Before an
emergency happens,
sit down together and
decide how you will
get in contact with each
other, where you will go
and what you will do in
an emergency. Keep a
copy of this plan in your
emergency supply kit
or another safe place
where you can access
it in the event of a
disaster.
The Harris County
Homeland Security &
Emergency Management
office in Texas has
compiled this Hurricane
Preparedness Checklist.
For more information go
to www.hcoem.org
KEEPING YOUR
PETS SAFE:
HAVE A PLAN
HERE ARE THE ASPCA’S TOP SIX
TIPS FOR HURRICANE SEASON PREP:
1. Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or
warning of a storm or disaster.
2. Make sure all pets wear collars and ID tags
with up-to-date identification—the ASPCA also
recommends microchipping your pet as a more
permanent form of I.D.
3. Obtain a rescue alert sticker, which will let
rescuers know that pets are inside your home.
You’ll get these when you order a free ASPCA
Pet Safety Pack.
4. Keep a pet emergency kit and supplies handy
with items such as medical records, water,
pet food and medications, and pet First Aid
supplies.
5. Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event
of evacuation. Do not leave your pets behind.
6. Choose a designated caregiver who can take
care of your pet in the event you are unable to
do so. ■
Courtesy of aspca.org
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H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
13
After a Quiet Decade,
Hurricane Forecasters
Uncertain About 2016
By Gena Parsons
As forecasters bid
farewell to El Niño,
and keep watch for La Niña, they
acknowledge that the transition makes
for a less predictable hurricane season.
The current El Niño peaked in December,
making it less of an influence in the
western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean
Sea as hurricane season begins.
“If there are any impacts from
the lingering El Niño, it would
be more in the early season. It
might tend to suppress the early
part of the season, but then
probably won’t have an impact
on the height of the season,”
National Weather Service
Florida Keys Meteorologist-inCharge Matt Moreland said.
The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) issued a La Niña
Watch, meaning conditions are
favorable for cooler-than-normal
ocean water temperatures in
the Pacific near the equator. A
dry spring should give way to
the wet season by July with the
potential for La Niña appearing
in late summer or fall.
“That’s associated with
less wind shear across the
14 •
Caribbean Sea and the tropical
Atlantic, which means you lose
one of the key inhibiting factors
to making tropical cyclones,”
said Jon Rizzo, warning
coordination meteorologist at
the Key West office.
Without the shearing effects
of El Niño in the Atlantic, 2016
could see increased storm
activity, especially later in the
season if La Niña forms. La
Niñas typically follow strong El
Niños, but not always. With a
La Niña, ocean temperatures in
the Equatorial Pacific become
abnormally cold, shifting
weather patterns worldwide
and resulting in drier, warmer
weather in the Southeastern US.
Whether we will go from one
extreme to the other has yet to
be determined.
HU R R ICANE PR EP A R ED N ESS G UI D E
Another contributing factor to
an uncertain hurricane season
is a growing area of cold water
in the North Atlantic. Cooler
waters moving south would
inhibit storm formation off the
African coast, whereas warmerthan-normal waters increase the
chance of strong storms.
The 2015 Atlantic hurricane
season turned out to be slightly
below average, as predicted,
with eleven named storms and
four hurricanes, none of which
caused serious damage in the
United States. The last hurricane
to cause significant damage to
the Florida Keys was Wilma on
Oct. 19, 2005, with high storm
surge and power outages.
Three dozen people died in the
storm statewide and damage in
Florida totaled $20.6 billion.
The following ten hurricane
seasons proved calm, adding
to concerns by local weather
experts and government
officials that residents will be
reluctant to heed the next
warning.
“It doesn’t mean it’s an era
of good feeling necessarily.
We have to remain vigilant. We
preach preparedness every
season,” Rizzo cautioned.
Experts are quick to point out
that Hurricane Andrew in 1992,
Hugo in 1989, Gilbert in 1988
and Kate in 1985 occurred
during what were considered
“quiet” years.
“It can be an inactive season
and we get hit by the big one
or it can be an active season
and we don’t get anything,”
Moreland added. “Wilma was
our last major impact and we’re
going on eleven years. There’s
a lot of complacency that we’re
concerned about.”
Hospitality and tourism, the
driving economic engines in
Monroe County, draw visitors
and new residents from across
the country and around the
world who may not be familiar
with the dangers posed by
tropical storm systems. The
Florida Keys Weather Forecast
Office works closely with
Monroe County emergency
managers and governments
to provide the resources
necessary for making decisions
about shelters and evacuations.
This year, a meteorologist
will be deployed to the
Emergency Operations Center
to provide more direct support
during the most serious storm
threats. In May, a statewide
exercise allowed emergency
managers to practice a storm
scenario, and a workshop
with the Monroe County
Tourist Development Council
primed lodging managers
for what may be in store.
The unique partnership the
National Weather Service has
with government and private
business takes safety and
economy into account.
“Tourism doesn’t have to
be an adversarial element
to emergency management
and weather,” said Rizzo. “We
share what we know about the
limits of science so that they’re
comfortable making decisions
about tourist evacuation and
getting compliance from
the lodging and restaurant
“It can be an inactive
season and we get hit
by the big one or it can
be an active season and
we don’t get anything”
-Matt Moreland, National Weather Service
associations. They’re an integral
part in public safety and they
accept that.”
Residents are encouraged to
know their evacuation zones,
have a plan for relocating to
the mainland, obtain reentry
stickers from the county and
create an evacuation kit.
Government and consumer
advocacy websites also offer
assistance. For example, Ready.
gov generates personalized,
printable checklists. And a
new social media campaign
called #HurricaneStrong takes
aim at declines in hurricane
readiness due to fewer landfalling storms. The campaign
is presented by the nonprofit
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
(FLASH) in collaboration with
NOAA and other leading
organizations. ■
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
15
HURRICANE TRACKING
16 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
17
SAFELY
STORE YOUR
BOAT
STORM
AHEAD OF THE
It seems there as many “boating
experts” as there are boat owners.
But the truly experienced are
hesitant to offer hurricane tips
because no precaution, no
matter how well thought out,
is guaranteed to get the vessel
through a storm of that magnitude
or eccentricity safely. Nevertheless,
there are steps boat owners can
take to minimize the damage.
for small crafts
Small crafts that can be trailered
should be taken out of the water
and brought home or secured in
dry storage. Remove everything
of value like small electronics and
tie down the rest such as Bimini
tops. Tie the boat to the trailer
so the two can’t be separated in
rising water and tie the trailer to a
building or tree.
Leave the drain plug out. Some
boaters think the craft is more
stable if its filled or partially
filled with water; but boats are
structurally designed to hold
water out, not in.
for large vessels
One local boater said his 35-foot
boat sat on a lift behind his house
for Hurricane Wilma, and while
it floated about two feet above
the lift, it settled back in the exact
same spot. That was extremely
lucky. Another option is to secure
the boat at a marina. Some offer
hurricane haul-out programs, but
owners must pre-register with the
office. Marinas then haul the boat
as a named storm approaches
and put it on blocks in the yard.
For boat owners securing craft
in the center of a canal, they
should use somewhat slack lines
(to allow for surge) to something
that’s not going to move, like
a piling or a palm tree. Tying
off to a dock cleat isn’t secure.
18 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
While docks can fail, the pilings
are sturdier. Cleats on boats are
just as susceptible. If you have a
sailboat, tie off to the mast.
However, leaving a large or small
boat in the water at an exposed
dock should be a last resort.
Boats can be severely damaged
as they are pummeled against
the structure by high winds and
waves. In other cases, the surge
raises the boat above the height
of the piling, letting it float free.
Also, with no electricity, the
boats are dependent on batteryoperated bilge pumps that could
wear down or fail.
Many commercial fishermen
choose the mangroves to secure
their vessels. Boats are tucked
away and tied off to the root
system. While the boat is secure,
it is likely to be scratched up a bit
by flying debris.
for liveaboards
First and foremost, never try to
ride the hurricane out on a boat.
“Nobody should ever stay on
a boat during a storm. That’s
common sense,” said one
Monroe County official. Many
of the liveaboard boats in the
harbor, while still seaworthy,
aren’t capable of withstanding
a hurricane. Liveaboards are
advised to remove all their
personal belongings and shelter
on land. Boats should be secured
as best as possible.
after the storm
Removing sunken and stranded
vessels after the hurricane is a
major undertaking ... and one
that is conducted at the boat
owner’s expense. County or state
officials will hold boat owners
responsible for the removal of
wrecks. Financial assistance may
be available. ■
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To volunteer, contact Mirine Dye, MPH, coordinator
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H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
19
By Gena Parsons
FIVE
HURRICANE SHELTERS
AVA I L A B L E TO M O N R O E CO U N TY R E S I D E N T S
After a decade of calm in the
Florida Keys, complacency concerns
Monroe County Emergency
Management officials going into
the 2015 hurricane season. With
improved forecasting capabilities,
Keys residents may be even more
reluctant to leave their homes.
“I would remind them of Hurricane
Charley (2004), a storm that was
a category two hurricane when
passing the Keys and turned into a
category four hurricane in a matter
of few hours,” remarked Monroe
County Emergency Management
Director Irene Toner. “While the
weather predictions did get better,
Mother Nature is unpredictable
and we must be vigilant and ready
to leave or shelter in county when
directed. Evacuation would not
be called unless it is felt that the
residents’ safety is in jeopardy.”
The four shelters in the Florida
Keys – Key West High School,
Sugarloaf School, Stanley Switlik
Elementary in Marathon and Coral
Shores High School in Tavernier
– can hold approximately 1200
residents, but are only equipped
for Category 1 and 2 storms.
For Category 3 and above, residents
are expected to evacuate to the
mainland where Monroe County
has a shelter at the E. Darwin Fuchs
Pavilion, Miami-Dade County Fair
and Exposition. Residents with
special needs will be transported
to a shelter located at Florida
International University.
Evacuation and shelter information
will be disseminated in the
local media, TV Channel 76 and
Monroe County and Emergency
Management websites.
“They need to leave when
directed. We have a phased
evacuation out of the county,
beginning with the Lower Keys first
thing in the morning, midday for
Middle Keys and afternoon for the
Upper Keys,” Toner advised.
The evacuation plan, with the
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
and the Florida Highway Patrol
providing traffic control, takes into
account population and visitors.
“If they leave as directed, they
should not get caught in any major
traffic jam. While the traffic would
be moving slowly, it would be
moving and everyone would get
out on time,” Toner said.
Toner recommends making
lodging arrangements on the
mainland before leaving home
because hotels in the Miami area fill
quickly. Those who choose not to
evacuate could face days without
utilities and emergency services.
“If people stay, and we are hit badly,
they will be on their own. Without
power, our sewer system is not
functional, which would pose a
health hazard. Their homes may be
flooded. They may run out of food,
water and medication. If the bridges
are damaged, it will take a while
for the FDOT to inspect them and
determine whether they are safe
to drive on or not. If not, remaining
residents will find themselves
isolated for a period of time. That
is why we are adamant for our
residents to leave,” Toner stressed.
Shelters in Monroe County are
available for short-term stays
and residents should bring
M O N R O E CO U N TY S H E LT E R S CAT E G O R Y 1 & 2 H U R R I CA N E S
Key West High School: 2100 Flagler Ave. • Sugarloaf School: 225 Crane Blvd., MM19
Stanley Switlik Elementary: 3400 O/S Hwy., Marathon
M O N R O E CO U N TY S H E LT E R F O R CAT E G O RY 3 A N D A B OV E
E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion: 10901 SW 24th St., Miami, FL (Located in The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition)
20 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
supplies including drinking water,
non-perishable foods, medicines,
clothing, bedding, toiletries,
flashlights, and important papers
including identification and contact
information for doctors and
relatives.
Residents are required to register
before entering the shelter. No
weapons, alcohol or illegal drugs
are allowed. There is no smoking
allowed in the shelter and a lightsout time will be enforced. Children
must be attended at all times.
Pets are allowed at the Monroe
County shelters, including the
shelter on the mainland. They must
be in crates or cages, and will be
kept separate from the general
population. In Marathon, pets
should be taken to the high school
before residents go to the Stanley
Switlik shelter.
Owners should fill out a preregistration form agreeing to supply
bowls, food and water. Pets must
remain in carriers and are required to
be confined with a leash, harness or
muzzle during scheduled relief times.
Pet owners should provide proof
of residency within the evacuation
zone, and provide medical and
current vaccination records for each
pet. Annual rabies vaccination and
visible Monroe County license tags
are required on dogs and cats.
The owner must also permit
qualified animal shelter personnel
and veterinarians to administer
medical care. Any damage done by
the pet is the owners’ responsibility
and pets that are unruly, aggressive,
stressed, ill or infested with
parasites may be removed. ■
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H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
21
only take what you really need with
you. This can include your cell
phone, medicines, cash and all
identification.
You also should pack a map
and have knowledge of
where emergency workers
recommend you traveling.
Some routes may be blocked,
so knowing where to travel can
help save you time and keep
you safe.
| BEFORE YOU LEAVE |
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends turning off
the gas, electricity and water to your
home. This can help reduce the risk of
gas leaks or fires taking place during or
immediately after a hurricane.
Don’t forget to tell neighbors where you will
be staying during the hurricane and leave
contact information.
WHEN
city officials in your area decide
to order an evacuation, that
usually means conditions are expected to worsen
and rapidly.
Remember that even the most well-built homes
may not hold up to a hurricane’s brute force, so
staying home to protect your structure is not worth
the risk. officials making the call.
In anticipation of a potentially deadly hurricane,
authorities will most likely direct you to leave if you
live in a high-risk area in the path of the storm. You
also may hear an order to stay home if authorities
determine that doing so makes for a safer situation.
No matter the warning, it is important to use
common sense and put your trust in public.
| WHAT TO TAKE |
Ordered evacuations sometimes come with a
few days of preparation time, but not always.
In the case of a rapid evacuation, you should
22 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
This will allow them to reach out to you
after the storm. If they get back to the area
before you, they can give you an update on
any damage to your home. Remember to
also find out where they will be staying so
you can do the same for them.
EVERYONE GETS
A RIDE OUT
Monroe County operates a special needs
evacuation program. About 400 elderly and
disabled residents register every year for a
ride to the mainland if any hurricane threatens
the Florida Keys. The service is free and it’s
easy to register. But residents must register
now and that applies to repeat customers.
Residents who register with the service are
not forced to leave when an evacuation
is called, although program coordinators
urge them to do so. Evacuees travel by
ambulance or bus depending upon their
Not everyone who registers
with the program will stay at the
shelter. Some clients are met in
Miami and taken by family to a
more comfortable spot to ride
out the storm. The Special Needs
program even has a provision for
the registered pets of registered
evacuees. The pets are collected
before the residents leave their
home and taken to a separate
facility to ride out the storm and be
reunited with their owners after.
Finally, it should be noted that
evacuees are taken to a nonsmoking facility. There is no
smoking, alcohol or illegal drugs
allowed anywhere on the property.
To register, call 305-292-4591
or go online to:
www.monroecounty-fl.gov.
| THERE’S A BUS, TOO |
The county also has a plan to
evacuate regular citizens without
transportation. If a major hurricane
threatens the Keys, buses will pick
up passengers at the side of the
road and take them to the Florida
International University shelter
on the mainland. The county
has a contract with a mainland
bus company and an informal
agreement with the City of Key
West transportation department to
make it happen.
The Office of Emergency
Management will publicize the
buses and route and hotline
telephone number if necessary. ■
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H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
23
K EY S E N E R GY S ERVICES
PRE-STORM WHAT TO EXPECT
Keys Energy Services (KEYS) is prepared
to restore service as quickly as possible.
Restoration efforts will begin as soon as
winds diminish.
KEYS has established priorities for
storm restoration that are intended to
emphasize health, safety, and essential
community services and to restore service
in a manner that will affect the greatest
number of customers first.
BEFORE THE STORM
Line and electrical crews will be in the
field working until winds exceed 35
miles per hour. If power outages occur
after this time, KEYS will not attempt to
restore power. All restoration will take
place when the storm has passed.
Essential utility employees will be on
standby at the Service Building on the
corner of James and Grinnell streets
and at the Generating Facilities on Stock
Island to begin the restoration process
immediately after winds diminish.
LOCAL GENERATION
KEYS has about 103 megawatts of local
generation available if the tieline is severed. If the nine generating units weather
the storm without damage, the units will
be started as soon as winds die down.
24 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
KE Y S E N ERGY S ERVICE S
INFO-GRAPHIC
CUSTOMERS’ CALLS
& POWER OUTAGES
KEYS office personnel will accept phone
calls from customers reporting electrical
hazards and outages. This information will
be immediately sorted for field crews.
After reports have been prioritized,
employees from the electrical and line
sections will survey affected areas and
begin restoring power.
KEYS has a number of contracts and
agreements in place so that emergency
supplies and additional crews from other
utilities will quickly mobilize to assist in
the restoration effort, as necessary.
KEYS crews and crews from other utilities
will work as quickly as possible to restore
power. Emergency services such as the
hospital, the police and sheriff’s offices,
and radio stations will receive top priority.
The time required to restore power is
largely due to the extent of damage to
our distribution system.
CALL
(305)
295-1010
FOR POWER OUTAGES
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
25
know your coverage
A natural disaster can be a
trying time, so it’s important
to take stock of things
before an emergency.
W
hat does your insurance
cover? Do you have an
accurate list of all your belongings,
in case tragedy strikes?
CHECK YOUR INSURANCE
You know all that fine print on your
home and vehicle insurance plan?
Read it. It’s important to know what
type of insurance you have, what it
covers and how much it covers for
different types of tragedies. Make a
point to sit down with your insurance
agent to dig into all the details, to
make sure you’re comfortable with
your deductible levels, amount of
coverage and different types of
coverage. It might seem trivial now,
but these could be absolutely critical
in the event of a disaster. Know those
things beforehand, and make sure
you will be covered.
FLOOD PREP
According to the Red Cross, most
standard homeowner’s insurance
doesn’t cover flooding, so it’s
important to have protection
from the floods associated with
hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy
rains and other conditions that
impact the U.S. Even if you don’t
live in a flood plain, enough rain
and storms still could potentially
drive water toward your home and
property. Do some research to
determine which creeks or rivers
are nearby, and pay attention the
next time it rains to determine how
water flows around your property.
If water levels were to rise enough,
could they impact you? If you think
you may need coverage, check
with your insurance provider to
see what options are available.
KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE
If your home or property is
destroyed by a natural disaster,
your insurance company will almost
certainly need a running list of the
items that were in your home and
potentially lost. It’s much easier to
take stock of your belongings while
you actually have them, and it can
save time and energy to already
have a list in place and ready for use
in the event of a disaster. Keep a
hard copy backed up in a safe, and
store a digital copy in the cloud, so
you can access it from anywhere if
needed. By doing this outside of the
heat of the moment, you’re much
more likely to remember items and
have a much more accurate tracking
of what was lost. n
HOME - AUTO
This Hurricane Season-
407020 HT
26 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
404293 HT
Don’t make the same mistake this guy made....
MEDICAL NEEDS ARE
STEP NO.1
Every single hurricane preparedness
guide lists prescriptions on its list of
important supplies. What it doesn’t
say is when to get it.
“Whenever the evacuation is called,
people start calling the office
frantically, wanting refills on their
prescriptions,” said one local doctor.
“We don’t have enough time [to call
the pharmacy for every prescription],
because our office is being shuttered
and our staff is evacuating, too.”
The best thing to do is get an extra
30-day prescription on June 1. Get it
filled and keep it handy until the end
of the hurricane season.
Another important consideration for
Keys residents applies to caregivers
of those that need life-sustaining
medical equipment powered by
electricity. If the power goes out, the
machines go silent. Those residents
are urged to review their emergency
plan for back-up power or make
plans to evacuate.
If the local hospital is closed down,
one local doctor said, residents
should evacuate too. Injuries
sustained during the storm will go
untreated because EMTs can’t get to
the victims.
+
Serving Monroe, Dade, Broward and Lee Counties
After the storm passes help may still
be unavailable due to lack of medical
personnel. Statistically, that’s when
most accidents happen. Clean up
crews fall off roofs or step on a nail or
are burned by a hot generator.
Other medical problems to watch for
after a hurricane are dehydration and
post-traumatic stress disorder. n
keystropicalwindows@yahoo.com
395204 HT
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
27
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COMPLETE INSURANCE AND
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MM 54.5 Oceanside
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395242 HT
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406785 HT
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28 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
For valuable hurricane information visit our
website at www.keysinsurance.com
395209 HT
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H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
29
Lic #EC13001186
Residential/Commercial
• New Construction
• Remodel and Repair
• Aerial Bucket Truck Service
• Remodeling
• Reasonable Rates
• Free Estimates
Visit our Emergency Services website www.monroecountyem.com
MAKE A PLAN - GET A KIT - BE INFORMED
CATEGORY 1 & 2 STORMS,
shelters available are:
Key West High School
2100 Flagler Ave, Key West
Sugarloaf Elementary
US1 & Crane Blvd, MM19
Coral Shores High School
US1, MM 90, Tavernier
Marathon High School
350 Sombrero Rd, Marathon
*Pet Sheltering available for each shelter*
SHELTERING PETS
Monroe County Emergency
Management in conjunction with
Monroe County School Board have
identified areas to shelter pets in the
Keys for Category 1 & 2. Pets must be
properly caged along with up-to-date
shot records.
For more information on
Pet Sheltering refer to our website
www.monroecountyem.com
• Licensed-Insured-Bonded
GENERATOR INSTALLATION
Call Nearshore Electric
and receive your free estimate today!
5680 1st Ave, Suite 5 / Key West
305-294-3991
Email: nearshore@bellsouth.net
406747HT
or call 305-289-6012.
CATEGORY 3, 4 OR 5 STORMS,
REGISTRY OF PERSONS
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Monroe County Social Services has a
“Special Needs Registry Program” that
will offer assistance to persons with
special needs living in the Keys during
evacuation and sheltering. To be part
of this program you must pre-register.
Call 305-292-4591,
or visit our website.
MONROE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION HOTLINE:
30 •
1-800-955-5504
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E
395211 HT
406763 HT
there are NO shelters in Monroe
County that would be safe.
Evacuation becomes MANDATORY
for everyone and you will then be
directed to the appropriate shelter
on the mainland. Sheltering options
may include, Florida International
University, the E. Darwin Fuchs
Pavilion at the Miami-Dade County
Fair and Exposition, 10901 SW 24th
St., Miami, FL 33165 (which will
allow residents to shelter with their
pets), and other facilities within
Miami Dade County, based on their
availability on a per storm basis
Plug appliances directly into the
THE PRIMARY HAZARDS TO
generator. Or, use a heavy duty,
AVOID when using a generator are
outdoor-rated extension cord that
carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
is rated (in watts or amps) at least
from the toxic engine exhaust,
equal to the sum of the connected
electric shock or electrocution,
appliance loads. Check that the
and fire. Follow the directions
entire cord is free of cuts or tears and
supplied with the generator. Every
that the plug has all three prongs,
year, people die in incidents
especially a grounding pin.
related to portable
generator use. Under no
Never try to power the
circumstances should
house wiring by plugging
portable generators be
the generator into a wall
used indoors, including inside
a garage, carport, basement,
E X H A U S T, S H O C K A N D F I R E outlet, a practice known as
“backfeeding.” This is an
crawlspace, or other enclosed
Use the type of fuel recommended in
extremely dangerous practice that
or partially-enclosed area, even
the instructions or on the label on the
presents an electrocution risk to
with ventilation. Opening doors
generator. Store fuel for the generator
utility workers and neighbors served
and windows or using fans will
in an approved safety can. Do not store
by the same utility transformer. It
not prevent CO buildup in the
it near a fuel-burning appliance, such as
also bypasses some of the built-in
home. The CO from generators can
a natural gas water heater in a garage. If
household protection devices. n
rapidly lead to full incapacitation
the fuel is spilled or the container is not
and death, but CO can’t be seen
sealed properly, invisible vapors from
or smelled. Even if you cannot
Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control and
the fuel can travel along the ground and
Prevention, the National Fire Protection
smell exhaust fumes, you may still
can
be
ignited
by
the
appliance’s
pilot
Association and the U. S. Consumer Product
be exposed to CO. If you start to
Safety Commission.
light
or
by
arcs
from
electric
switches
in
feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using
the
appliance.
a generator, get to fresh air right
away — do not delay.
GENERATOR safety
It is a good idea to install batteryoperated CO alarms or plug-in
CO alarms with battery backup in your home, according to
the manufacturer’s installation
instructions.
Also, be sure to turn the generator
off and let it cool down before
refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot
engine parts could ignite.
What You Should Know
Before the Power Goes Out
Make sure FKEC has your current phone numbers
FKEC’s phone system automatically matches your phone
number(s) to your electrical equipment for faster restoration.
Make sure FKEC can access your meter equipment
To make repairs FKEC must have 24 hour access to your meter.
If your power goes out, check your breakers first
Approximately 33% of all power outages are caused by breaker
issues, which are the responsibility of the member to resolve.
Report the outage by calling or texting
Call 305-852-2431 or Text 451-83 to report your outage. Note, your
mobile number must be pre-registered with FKEC to report via text.
Track the status of a power outage online
Visit www.FKEC.com and click the Live Outage Viewer to check
the restoration status of an outage.
395205 HT
Because you may have windows
open to get fresh air while the power
is out, be sure to place the generator
away from windows, doors, and
vents that could allow CO to come
indoors. To avoid electrocution,
keep the generator dry and do not
use in rain or wet conditions. To
protect the generator from moisture,
operate it on a dry surface under an
open canopy-like structure, such as
under a tarp held up on poles. Dry
your hands if wet before touching
the generator.
305-852-2431 • 800-858-8845 • www.FKEC.com
H U R R I CA N E P R E P A R E D N E S S GUIDE •
31
403597 HT
32 •
HU R R ICANE PR E P A R ED N ESS G UI D E