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The Hurricane Cone & You
Those of us who live along the Florida Gulf Coast should track every Atlantic hurricane or tropical storm. When a storm forms, you will hear weather forecasters talk about the "forecast cone." The cone represents the probable track of the center of a storm. A "5-day cone" and "3-day cone" are created to show the forecast path of the center of the storm with as much as a 300-mile "cone of uncertainty." Because the storm could track anywhere within the cone, everyone in the cone area needs to begin storm preparations.
Don't Wait
The most important thing to remember is to do as much as you can before a hurricane warning is issued, even before a storm ever enters the Gulf of Mexico. Waiting until the warning is issued will only give you about 24 hours to complete preparations and evacuate if necessary. We must remember that hurricane forecasting is not an exact science and they don't always go where predicted.
- Actions to Take Before the Cone
- Plan to Leave If
- 5-Day Cone Actions
- 3-Day Cone Actions
- Hurricane Watch Actions
- Hurricane Warning Actions
- If You Decide to Stay
- Make a family plan. Don't forget special plans for the elderly, handicapped, children and pets.
- Make an emergency supply kit including a three to 14 day supply of nonperishable foods and water.
- Know your evacuation zone.
- Understand "Watch" and "Warning" terms.
- Purchase a NOAA weather radio.
- Trim trees and shrubs around your home.
- Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters are best. A second option is to purchase plywood and plastic sheeting. Board up windows and doors, especially patio doors, with 5/8" marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Protect your property by bracing double entry and garage doors.
- Fill your vehicle's gas tank and check oil, water and tires. Remember, gas pumps don't work without electricity.
- Identify a safe area in your home - an interior room, closet, hallway, or bathroom on the lowest floor.
- Inventory, document, and photograph items in your residence or business.
- Refill prescriptions. Maintain at least a one-month supply during hurricane season. Report blocked or overgrown stormwater ditches.
- You live in a mobile home
- You live on the coastline
- You live near a river or flood plain
- Review your family disaster plan.
- Get your survival kit and important papers ready. If you or a family member is elderly, handicapped or has special care needs, be sure you are ready to implement your special needs plan.
- Take photos of your property from all angles. It may not look the same after the storm passes.
- Begin work to prepare your home and yard. Remove anything in your yard that could become windborne. Check for, fix or remove loose items on your structures/homes.
- Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
- If you live in an evacuation zone, know where you will go and how you will get there.
Forecast Accuracy
As a storm moves closer, the accuracy of the forecast improves. If Santa Rosa County is within the 3-day cone, residents should step up their preparations.
- Double-check your disaster kit and make necessary purchases to avoid lines and traffic. Gather special supplies for infants, children, seniors and pets.
- Be sure you have all materials and tools necessary to shutter windows.
- If your plans are to evacuate, make arrangements, book reservations and pack what you can in your vehicle.
48 Forecast
About 48 hours ahead of a storm, forecasters will issue a hurricane watch for areas within the cone that can expect hurricane conditions. Again, because hurricanes can be erratic, everyone in that area must prepare as if the storm is headed directly for their home. If the storm changes path or speed, the time between a watch and a warning might be only six hours. During a watch, the focus should be on preparing for the warning.
Evacuation
If you are in an evacuation zone or a mobile / manufactured home, the goal is to be fully prepared to evacuate one or two hours ahead of the warning being issued if needed. If you live in a non-evacuation zone, the goal is to complete all preparations within one or two hours after the warning.
- Ensure your vehicle gas tank is full.
- Get cash and secure papers and valuables.
- Ensure your medications have been refilled.
- Fill containers and tubs with water, even if evacuating - you may need the water when you return.
- Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools.
- Shutter your windows
- Prepare boats
- Help neighbors with their preparations.
- If your plans are to evacuate out of the local area, make final preparations to secure your home so you can leave as soon as an evacuation order is issued.
- If you are registered for transportation to a public shelter, be sure you have everything you need for your "go bag."
36 Hour Warning
A storm will be about 36 hours from impact when the hurricane warning is issued. Santa Rosa County Emergency Management may issue official evacuation orders not long after a warning. Whenever an evacuation is ordered, all manufactured home residents should evacuate. For all others, know your zone so you can understand and follow official emergency instructions.
- Stay tuned to local news and get your weather radio ready. If loss of electricity occurs, listen on a battery powered radio.
- Complete any final preparations.
- Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep the doors closed. Turn off electricity if floodwaters threaten your property.
- Turn off major appliances if you lose power.
- If your plan is to travel out of the local area and you can leave, do so now to avoid traffic jams.
- If you are registered for transportation to a public shelter, have your "go bag" ready.
- If evacuation orders are issued, determine if your residence is affected.
- If you are evacuating locally, leave for your designated safe location. If you are utilizing a public shelter, be sure to check which public shelters are open.
- If you are not required to evacuate, prepare a safe room in your home and stay off the roads to enable evacuation traffic to clear the area.
- Notify your designated out-of-town contact and let them know where you are sheltering.
- Avoid using the phone, except for emergencies.
Tips
- Avoid rooms with windows or glass doors. Don't trust rumors. Stay tuned to local radio and TV for information.
- Consider offering your home as shelter to friends or relatives who live in vulnerable areas or mobile homes.
- Get cash. Banks may not be open and ATM's won't work without electricity.
- Identify a safe area in your home - an interior, reinforced room, closet or bathroom on the lowest floor.
Clean Up Precautions
- Call professionals to remove large uprooted trees.
- Use proper safety gear such as heavy gloves and boots, safety goggles, long-sleeve shirts and pants. Tie back long hair and wear a hat and sunscreen.
- Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and ask for help when you need it.
- Lift with your legs, not with your back. Don't burn trash.
- If you can't identify something, don't touch it.
- Be especially wary of downed electrical wires.