CHARLOTTE COUNTY DISASTER GUIDE

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

DISASTER GUIDE

Prepare

NOW

Survive

DURING

Be Safe

AFTER

Inside This Guide

Prepare NOW: Put Together a Plan ...............2

Pets Safety and Checklist ..............................3

CERT and CCFLARES Amateur Radio ............5

Evacuate or Stay? ...........................................6

Shelters and Shelter Checklist ......................7

Understanding Storm Surge ..................... 8-9

Evacuation Map .......................................10 -11

Flood Zone vs. Storm Surge ........................11

How to Stay Informed .................................. 12

Family Disaster Plan ................................13-14

Disaster Supply Kit Checklist ......................15

Survive DURING ...........................................16

Be Safe AFTER ...............................................16

Disaster Safety Tips .....................................19

Important Numbers .....................................20

If a disaster struck, would your family be ready? Would your

business be ready? Follow the tips and checklists in this guide

to protect your loved ones, your home and your business.

Overview:

Prepare before hurricane season starts. Atlantic

hurricane season starts June 1.

Know what to do before, during, and after a

hurricane: prepare now, survive during, be safe

after.

Put together a disaster plan with your family and

for your business before a hurricane.

Have emergency supplies in place at home, at

work, and in the car.

Know your local community’s evacuation plan

and evacuation routes and how to receive alerts.

Listen to local ocials.

This guide was developed by the Charlotte County Emergency Management Oce to help you make your

family and business plans. It also directs you to additional resources where you can get more information and

assistance.

Government cannot do this alone. It takes the “whole community” to eectively prepare for, respond to, and

recover from a disaster. This includes our neighborhood and condo associations, faith-based, volunteer, civic

organizations, schools, business community, and residents. You can get training by joining a Community

Emergency Response Team (CERT) in your neighborhood. Visit CharlotteCountyFL.gov/CERT for information.

Get involved and spread the word at your school, work, club or place of worship. This is what it takes to make

our community safer and more resilient.

Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage because of storm surge, wind damage, and

flooding. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

Prepare NOW

• How will we receive alerts and warnings?

• Where will we go? What are the evacuation

routes? As a last resort, what shelter will we go to?

• How will we communicate with each other?

• Where will we meet if we get separated?

Plan Basics

Make sure everyone knows where to go and what

to do in an emergency by putting together a family

disaster plan and a business continuity plan.

Put Together a Plan

Choose a Contact Person: Ask someone out

of the area to be a contact if you are separated in a

disaster, to have family members report their location.

Keep Contact Information Up-To-Date:

Include contact information in your phones and make

emergency contact cards to carry with you.

Think Ahead About Evacuation: Determine

if and when you would evacuate, where you would

go and how you will get there. Have multiple options.

Stay with friends or family if they are in a safer

evacuation zone and not being asked to leave. If you

are in a safe area, invite them to stay with you.

Practice your disaster plans often with your family and oice.

Find more disaster planning information at Ready.gov and the

Charlotte County Emergency Management Oice www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/EM.

Know Your Evacuation Zone: Is your house

or business in a hurricane evacuation zone? Visit

www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/KnowYourZone to nd

out. You should also learn if your house is at risk for

ooding - check your FEMA Flood Zone (visit

msc.fema.gov).

Disaster Planning Guide

Prepare Your Home, Ofce and Belongings Ahead of Time

• Check your disaster supplies.

• Rell prescriptions. Maintain at least a two-week

supply of medication.

• Clear your yard of furniture, potted plants,

bicycles, trash cans and other objects that can

cause damage in heavy winds.

• Keep landscaping trimmed. Make sure yard waste

will be picked up before storms.

• Protect windows and glass doors with plywood or

storm shutters.

• If ooding could threaten your home, move

important items such as electronics and antiques

o the oor.

• Fill your car’s gas tank, check oil, water and tires.

• Secure your boat early. Drawbridges will be

closed to boat trac after an evacuation order is

issued.

• Get cash. Banks and ATM’s don’t work without

electricity and few stores will be able to accept

credit cards or checks.

Don’t leave your pets and don’t use your pet as an

excuse not to evacuate. Don’t put yourself, your

family and your pet at risk! You are responsible for

planning for your pet.

Take your Pet Disaster Supplies if you evacuate, go

to friends/relatives, a public shelter (Charlotte County

public shelters are pet-friendly) or a hotel. Find pet-

friendly hotels at petswelcome.com.

After the storm passes, be careful with your pet

outdoors. Familiar scents and landmarks may be

altered and confuse your pet. Other dangers may be

present, such as downed power lines, animals and

insects brought in with high water, and contaminated

food or water. Nearly 80% of pets displaced by a

storm are never reunited with their owners.

Keep Your Pets Safe

• Never sweep or blow yard leaves, pine needles,

grass clippings or soil into the street or stormwater

system. This clogs up the stormwater pipes and

prevents water from draining.

• If you own a business, follow your Business

Continuity Plan. For more information on how to

create a Business Continuity Plan, go online to

disastersafety.org or ready.gov.

32 3

Pet Evacuation Supply Checklist:

 Proper ID collar and rabies tag/license

 Vaccination papers (Pet-friendly shelters

and boarding facilities may require proof of

vaccinations within the past 12 months.)

 Carrier or cage (large enough for your pet

to move around)

 Leash

 Ample food supply (at least two weeks) and

non-electric can opener if needed

 Water (minimum of 7-day supply)

 Water/food bowls

 Any necessary medications

 Specic care instructions

 Newspapers, cat litter, scoop, plastic trash

bags for handling waste

 Proper ID on all belongings (including

emergency contact information if you

evacuate)

 Photo of you with your pet

 A comfort item (favorite toy or blanket)

 Microchipping your pet is strongly

recommended

Wherever you are evacuated, in a public shelter, or

at home, follow the latest guidelines from the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect

yourself and family from any current health risks.

• What supplies will you need for protection? (Soap,

hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, face masks, etc.)

• What are the current social gathering guidelines?

Visit CDC.gov for the most current information.

Personal Safety

Persons with a Disability,

under Home Healthcare, and

Homebound Patients

People who are disabled or in poor health (either

mentally or physically) or those who are without the

support of family or friends should plan ahead for an

emergency. Please ask for help if you need it and

volunteer to help those who do.

• Identify if you may need additional help during an

emergency.

• Plan ahead for accessible transportation or

other needs based on disability. For home health

patients, tell your health agency and oxygen

company where you will be during a hurricane.

If you are homebound but not under the care of

a home health agency, contact your physician to

determine a plan of action.

• If you require respirators or other electric-

dependent medical equipment, make medical

arrangements with your physician and register

with FPL.

• If you evacuate, take medications, written

instructions regarding your care, special

equipment and bedding with you.

• If you will need assistance in an evacuation or

need to go to a special needs shelter, you must

preregister ahead of time. Preregister online at

snr.oridadisaster.org or you can download a

printable application at www.charlottecounty.gov

or contact

Emergency.Management@CharlotteCountyFL.gov

941.833.4000. Completion of an application does

not guarantee the availability of a shelter or

medical treatment during an event. Whenever

possible, alternate plans for evacuation that do

not include public shelters should be made.

• Special needs shelters do not provide hands-on

medical care, only medical monitoring. Bring one

caregiver with you.

• Certied service animals are allowed. Plan and

bring their supplies.

Understanding what is—and is not—covered in

your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy is a

necessity. Insurance needs change over time, talk

with your agent and make sure you are protected:

• Insure your home for its reconstruction cost, not

its real estate value.

• If you rent, insure your belongings.

• Standard policies do not cover damage from

oods, including storm surge. There is a 30-day

wait period for ood insurance to go into eect.

Don’t wait until a storm is threatening.

About Insurance

Get alerted about emergencies by signing up

for our Emergency Alert Program. Receive

alerts about:

Receive messages wherever you specify:

home, mobile or business phones, email

address, text messages and more. You pick

where, you pick how.

•Tornadoes

•Hurricanes

•Tropical Storms

•Severe Thunderstorms

•Freeze Warnings

•Marine Warnings

•Mosquito Spraying

CCFlares amAteur RADIO

The CERT Program educates people about disaster

preparedness for hazards that may impact their

area. CERT members learn to assist others in their

neighborhood or workplace following an event when

professional responders are not immediately available

to help. CERT members also are encouraged to

support emergency response agencies by taking a

more active role in emergency preparedness projects

in their community.

The CERT program is a hands on all-risk, all-hazard

training. This valuable 3-day course is designed to

help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors

and your neighborhood in an emergency situation.

Find training information, manuals, brochure, and

more online: CharlotteCountyFL.gov/CERT

CERT Training

Disaster preparedness: Instructs team members

how to prepare themselves and their community for

the various types of hazards that may occur.

Team organization and disaster psychology:

Learn to work well in a team setting under stressful

emergency event.

Fire safety: Covers proper techniques for preventing

and extinguishing small res.

Medical operations: Conduct triage, establish

medical treatment areas, and provide basic rst aid

for victims.

Basic search and rescue: Learn search and rescue

planning, techniques, and rescuer safety.

Terrorism Awareness: Dene terrorism, terrorist

goals, weapons, and indicators of a terrorist attack.

CERT’s Role in the Community

The Charlotte CERT program has a role for

everyone. Members use a combination of CERT

training and community knowledge to serve their

neighbors in a time of disaster.

Charlotte County CERT members serve the

community during a disaster as shelter workers,

call center operators, and as a support role during

wildres. CERT members also participate in public

outreach events, support Fire & EMS by providing

rst aid at large events and provide lifesaving training

throughout the community.

Become a CERT Member

The three-day Basic Training is scheduled on a

quarterly basis. Training is at no cost and open to

the public. Anyone under 18 needs to ll out a parent

consent form to attend training. For more information,

email CharlotteCountyCERT@outlook.com.

Get Involved

Charlotte County CERT oers supplemental training

and opportunities to volunteer. For more information,

email CharlotteCountyCERT@outlook.com.

CCFLARES (Charlotte County Florida ARES) is

fully committed to support digital communication

modes via Amateur Radio. Winlink-Email is actively

deployed, tested and exercised throughout our

teams. We continually upgrade and test our digital

infrastructure for dependability and reliability.

Our Mission:

To partner with our community to create, maintain,

and improve a portfolio of reliable emergency

communications capabilities.

Find more information online at ccares.org.

Community Emergency

Response Team (CERT)

a!ert

CHARLOTTE

Evacuate or Stay?

76 7

What to Bring to a Shelter:

You will need to bring supplies for each family

member and pet (all Charlotte County shelters

are pet friendly).

 Sleeping bag, sleeping pad and/or blankets

 Pillow

 Personal Flashlight & Headlamps

 Disinfectant supplies, hand sanitizer, soap,

cloth face coverings

 Toothbrush/Toothpaste

 Soap – you may choose to purchase body

wipes for quick wipe downs instead of soap

 Feminine hygiene products

 Cell phones

 Chargers/ backup battery

 Extra sets of clothes suitable for the season

 Extra socks and sturdy shoes

 Food or snacks (72+ hours worth)

 Books or magazine

 Prescription Medications, Eyeglasses

 Pet Care Items (see list on page 3)

 Important Documents (see list on page 11)

 Water (1 gallon per person per day for three

days)

Charlotte County has very few buildings, public or

private, above the Red and Orange evacuation zones

and suitable for sheltering. Charlotte County has no

certied Red Cross shelters.

Shelter space is extremely limited and all other

means of evacuation and sheltering should be

considered before going to a public shelter.

In the event of a hurricane, one or more Charlotte

County-staed shelters may be opened, depending

on the size and direction of an approaching storm.

Check local media and www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov

to nd open location(s).

• Kingsway Elementary School

23300 Quasar Blvd., Port Charlotte

• Liberty Elementary School

370 Atwater St., Port Charlotte

• Neil Armstrong Elementary School

22100 Breezeswept Ave., Port Charlotte

• Harold Ave. Regional Park Recreation Center

23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte

Shelters

Special Needs Shelters

Special Needs Shelters are for individuals whose

medical conditions cannot be addressed in a general

shelter. Persons requiring the additional level of care

must pre-register so that adequate planning can take

place to open this specialized type of shelter. Pre-

printable application at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov

or Emergency.Management@CharlotteCountyFL.gov

941.833.4000. Completion of an application does not

guarantee the availability of a shelter or medical

treatment during an event. Whenever possible,

alternate plans for evacuation that do not include

public shelters should be made.

Remember to keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least

half-full during hurricane season to avoid long lines at

gas stations and gas shortages prior to a storm.

Evacuations don’t have to be hundreds of miles -

having at least half a tank of gas ensures you can

evacuate the necessary tens of miles to a safe

sheltering location when a storm threatens your

community.

Electrical Vehicle Considerations

• Evacuation routes may not oer charging stations

and there may be long trac delays, so maintain

a substantial level of charge.

• Salt water submersion can cause battery res in

electric vehicles (EVs).

• Do not interact with vehicles with signs of

damaged or overheating batteries including

leaking uids, sparks, smoke, bubbling noises, or

unusual odors.

Vehicle Considerations

If you are:

in an area prone to ooding

in a mobile home, manufactured home or RV

in an evacuation zone that is ordered to evacuate

by local authorities

you should evacuate no matter what.

If you are not in any of these areas, then it may be

safer for you to stay in your home.

If You Can Stay Home,

Shelter in Place

If you live in an area prone to ooding, an evacuation

area or a mobile home, manufactured home or RV,

don’t panic. Move at a steady pace and leave as soon

as possible to ensure you can get to where you will

weather the storm. Do not take chances with your life

by staying at home or waiting until it’s too late!

• Move inland away from the storm surge and

inland ooding, to a destination is not within a

zone that has been ordered to evacuate.

• It is recommended that residents evacuate tens of

miles, not hundreds, to avoid trac jams.

• Evacuate early if you can to avoid heavy trac

• Take enough supplies for your family.

• Take your pets and their

supplies.

• Take important papers,

including driver’s

licenses, special medical

information, insurance

policies, property

inventories.

• Let friends and relatives know where you are

going.

• Make sure your neighbors have a safe ride.

• Turn o your electricity, water and gas if ocials

tell you to do so.

• Protect and lock your windows and doors.

• Stay tuned to your local radio and television

station for emergency broadcasts.

If you plan to go to a hotel or motel, check for

availability and make your reservation in advance.

Make sure your destination is not in an evacuation

zone. If you have pets, petswelcome.com can help.

Hotel or Motel

If You Must Evacuate

While it is the responsibility of the homeowner to

know if their home is strong enough to withstand a

hurricane, generally homes built after 2002 include

features that make them more resilient to hurricanes.

There are also improvements you can make to your

home to strengthen it against future storms. Know your

home by visiting oridadisaster.org/planprepare/home.

If you live in a sound structure outside the evacuation

area and do not live in a mobile home, manufactured

home or RV, stay home and take these precautions:

• Protect windows, doors and garage doors.

• Clean and ll bathtubs and sinks before a storm

so you’ll have water for ushing and cleaning.

• Store enough drinking water in clean containers;

plan on minimum one gallon per person per day.

• Oer to shelter friends or relatives who live in

vulnerable areas or mobile homes.

• Check your Disaster Supplies, including at least a

seven day supply of non-perishable foods. Don’t

forget a non-electric can opener.

• Find a safe room in your home, usually an interior,

windowless reinforced room such as a closet or

bathroom on the lower oor.

• Monitor your battery-operated radio, NOAA

weather radio or TV for the latest advisories and

other emergency information.

• Wait for ocial word that the danger is over.

• If ooding threatens your home, turn o electricity

at the main breaker.

• If you lose power, turn o major appliances (air

conditioner, water heater etc.) to reduce damage

from surge when power is restored.

• Don’t travel until you are told it is safe to do so.

understanding storm surge

Storm Surge Video

Want to see what it looks like?

Watch this video on storm surge!

https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/hurricanestormsurge

Storm Surge

Along the coast, storm surge from a hurricane is

often the greatest threat to life and property.

Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated

by a storm, over and above the regular predicted

astronomical tides. Storm surge directly accounts for

about half the deaths associated with tropical storms

and hurricanes.

A storm surge can cause extreme ooding along the

coastal areas and rivers and can inundate populated

areas as the storm approaches. Storm surge also

has the potential to impact critical infrastructure

including power, communications, water, sewers, fuel,

roads and bridges. Damage severity depends on the

storm’s size, strength, forward speed and direction of

movement.

In Charlotte County, storm surge can travel for miles

inland, so it is important to evacuate if your area is

under an evacuation order.

After the storm passes, storm surge can still cause

ooding depending on the storm’s direction and other

variables. Stay informed and pay attention to the

messages from Emergency Management.

Tides

Storm surge is the rise in seawater level caused

solely by a storm. Storm tide is the combination of

storm surge and normal high tide.

Storm tide results from the combination of storm

surge and the regular astronomical tide. Tides are

caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and the

moon and have their greatest eects on seawater

level during new and full moons (when the sun, the

moon, and the Earth are in alignment). As a result,

the highest storm tides are often observed during

storms that coincide with a new or full moon.

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City of

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1. Locate where you live and work on the map

2. Determine whether you are in an evacuation area, and if so, what color and letter (ex. Orange=B).

3. If you are in an evacuation area or a mobile home/manufactured home/RV, decide where you will go if

ordered to evacuate. Your choices include:

• Home of a relative or friend outside the evacuation zone

• Hotel/motel outside the evacuation zone (make arrangements early)

• Leave the area entirely

• A public shelter (verify the shelter is open before you go).

You can also nd your evacuation zone online: www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/KnowYourZone.

Note: All persons living in mobile homes/manufactured homes/RVs should evacuate before the onset

of Tropical Storm force winds, regardless of where you are located in the county.

Using The County Evacuation Map

Charlotte County Evacuation Map

The evacuation zones (colored areas) on the map are

vulnerable to storm surge. Storm surge is produced

by water being pushed towards the shore by the force

of the winds moving around the storm. Storm surge

is historically the leading cause of hurricane-

related deaths in the United States.

Storm surge creates a path of destruction, wiping

out structures as it rapidly surges inland and then

recedes. This is a life threatening situation for anyone

who ignores mandatory evacuation orders and stays

in vulnerable areas.

Storm Surge is a Deadly Threat

RED

ORANGE GREEN

Evacuation Routes

LEGEND

Non-Evac. Zone

2 0 1 2 Miles

Evacuation Zones

PURPLE

YELLOW

C E

Category

Sustained Winds

Safr-Simpson

Hurricane Wind Scale

74 - 95 mph

96 - 110 mph

111 - 129 mph

(major)

130 - 156 mph

(major)

156 mph or more

(major)

Flood Zone vs. Storm Surge

Flood Zones

Flood zones are geographic areas dened by

FEMA as having varying levels of ooding risk.

Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water pushed

onto shore by hurricanes or tropical storms.

Storm surge evacuation zones are areas

vulnerable to storm surge. They are broken

down into ve color-coded zones. This is how we

communicate who needs to evacuate.

Evacuation Zones

ORANGE B

GREEN

RED

YELLOW

PURPLE

1312

How to stay informed

Batteries

If your radio requires batteries, be sure to have a

supply on hand to keep your radio on through a

power outage of several days.

Social Media

• @OEMCharlotteCounty on Facebook

• @charlotteeoc on Instagram

• @CCOEM on Twitter

• Nextdoor.com

• Sign up for AlertCharlotte .com

Websites

Charlotte County Emergency Management -

CharlotteCountyFL.gov/EM

FEMA -

fema.gov

Florida Division of Emergency Management -

oridadisaster.org

Florida Highway Patrol Trac -

hsmv.gov/orida-highway-patrol/trac-incidents

National Hurricane Center -

nhc.noaa.gov

National Weather Service -

weather.gov

Disaster Planning Guide (this publication online) -

CharlotteCountyFL.gov/disasterguide

National Weather Radio

A weather radio can save your life by alerting you of

approaching hazardous weather. They can be bought

locally and programmed for Charlotte County alerts

only if you chose. Charlotte County FIPS code is

012015.

This service is provided by the National Weather

Service. The alert is tested every Wednesday. Find

more online: www.weather.gov/nwr/

National Weather Service

National FEMA Alerts (Wireless Emergency Alerts)

for Smartphones are short text messages to alert you

of imminent threats, amber alerts, and presidential

alerts. You will be alerted no matter where you are in

the nation. If you are near a cell tower that is being

alerted, you will get it on your cell.

Local Radio Stations

• WCCF AM 1580

• WENG AM 1530, FM 98.1, FM 107.5

• WBCG FM 98.9

• WCKT FM 100.9

• WCVU FM 104.9

• WGCU FM 90.1

• WIKX FM 92.9

• WINK FM 96.9

• WMKO FM 91.7

Go to www.ontheradio.net for more information.

Local TV Stations

Charlotte County TV (CC-TV) on Comcast channels

20 & 97 or stream: CharlotteCountyFL.gov/CCTV

Over the air (antenna)

• WINK CBS 11.1

• WBBH NBC 20.1

• WZVN ABC 26.1

• WWSB ABC 40.1

• WFTX FOX 36.1

FAMILY Disaster PLAN

Family Last Name(s) Date:

Household Address

Family Members Contact Info

Name DOB Phone Email

1. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

2. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

3. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

4. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

5. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

Stay Informed Using Alert Charlotte!

Get alerted about emergencies by signing up for

Alert Charlotte. This system enables us to provide

you with critical information quickly in a variety of

situations, such as severe

weather, unexpected road

closures, missing persons

and evacuations of buildings

or neighborhoods.

www.AlertCharlotte.com

You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever

you specify, such as your home, mobile or business

phones, email address, text messages and more.

You pick where, you pick how.

a!ert

CHARLOTTE

Pet Information

Name Type Color Chip #

1. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

2. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

3. _________________ ______________ __________________ ____________________________

Disaster Supply Kit Checklist

1514

General:

 At least two weeks supply of medication, medical

supplies used regularly and a list of allergies

 List of the style, serial number, and manufacturer

information of required medical devices

 Flashlight (Do not use candles and be sure to

have enough batteries)

 Radio (Battery operated or hand cranked radio, a

NOAA weather radio)

 Cash (Banks and ATMs may not be available

after a storm)

Pet Care:

 Pet food and water (at least two weeks worth)

 Proper identication

 Medical records/ microchip info/ Vaccination

papers

 A carrier or cage

 Muzzle and leash

 Bowls for water and food

 Medications

 Supplies for your service animal

First Aid:

 First Aid Manual

 Sterile adhesive bandages and gauze pads of

dierent sizes

 Hypoallergenic adhesive, tape

 Triangular bandages

 Scissors, tweezers, sewing needle

 Moistened towelettes

 Antiseptic

 Thermometer

 Tube of petroleum jelly

 Safety pins

 Soap

 Non-latex gloves

 Sunscreen

 Aspirin or other pain reliever

 Anti-diarrheal medicine, antacid, laxative

 Cotton balls, cotton swabs

Special Needs:

 Be sure to include specialty items for

infants,small children, the elderly, and those

family members with a disability.

Important Documents:

(Items should be kept in a water proof container)

 Insurance cards

 Medical records

 Bank numbers

 Credit card numbers

 Copy of social security card

 Copies of birth and/or marriage certicates

 Other personal documents

 Set of car, house, and oce keys

 Service animal I.D., veterinary records, and proof

of ownership

 Information about where you receive medication,

the name of the drug, and dosage

 Copy of will

Food and Water:

 Nonperishable food (enough for at least

seven (7) days, packaged or canned food and

beverages, snack foods, juices, baby food, and

any special dietary items)

 Non-electric can opener

 Disposable plates, napkins, cups and utensils

 Water (1 gallon per person per day for at least

seven (7) days)

Clothing:

 Include seasonal or rain gear and sturdy shoes

or boots.

Vehicle:

 Keep your motor vehicle tanks lled with gas

Phone Numbers:

Maintain a list of important phone numbers including:

 Evacuation sites

 Doctors and Veterinarians

 Banks

 Schools

Public Health Supplies:

 Face masks

 Disinfectant wipes

 Hand sanitizer

 An out of town contact

 Friends & family

FAMILY DISASTER PLAN CONTINUED....

Home Prole

Year of Construction Building Code Year Flood Zone Handicap Accessibility

___________________ __________________ ___________ Y/N

Evacuation Zone (Storm Surge) (circle one): Red-A Orange-B Yellow-C Green-D Purple-E

Site Built or Manufactured (circle one): Site Manufactured

Insurance Provider & Policy # ___________________________________________________________

Other Notes ______________________________________________________________________________

Information can be found at:

Property Appraiser Know Your Zone

www.ccappraiser.com www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/KnowYourZone

Family Evacuation Options Evacuation Routes

____________________________________________ __________________________________________

If separated during an emergency, what is your meeting place near your home?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

If you cannot return home or have evacuated, what is your meeting place outside

your neighborhood?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

If you cannot communicate, your emergency contacts outside your immediate area

are:

Name Relationship Phone Number 1 Phone Number 2

1. _____________________ ____________ _______________________ _______________________

2. _____________________ ____________ _______________________ _______________________

Additional tips, checklists, important phone numbers, pre-season preparedness activities, considerations

for vulnerable populations and shelter sites can be found in the Charlotte County Disaster Guide at

www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/disasterguide.

It is important to understand your risk and to plan, prepare, and stay informed before, during, and after

every disaster situation. Please contact the Charlotte County Oce of Emergency Management with any

questions you may have: 941.833.4000 or emergency.management@charlottecounty.gov.

Stay informed: listen for emergency information,

alerts, and weather updates on local radio and TV

stations, websites, and on NOAA Weather Radio.

Tune in to the latest information and listen to local

ocials. See page 10 for more ways to stay informed.

If you choose not to evacuate, you may become

trapped in a building due to rising ood water. If

waters continue to rise, go to the highest level of the

building, but do not climb into a closed attic.

First responders cease operations and cannot

respond when sustained winds reach 39 MPH.

Take refuge in a safe room in your home, usually an

interior, windowless reinforced room such as a closet

or bathroom on the lower oor.

Survive DURING

Be Safe AFTER

Listen to local ocials for information and special

instructions. BE PATIENT. You might not be able to

return to your home or business until search and

rescue operations are complete and hazards are

cleared. Crews work to clear the main roads as

quickly as possible to make it safe for emergency

vehicles and other crews to pass. Give them time to

clear major debris and make the roads safe to pass.

Do not walk, swim, or drive through ood waters.

Turn Around. Don’t Drown!

Until power is restored, many trac signals will not

work. Treat any intersection where trac signals are

out as a four-way stop.

Powerlines may be down and roads and bridges may

be closed. There may also be localized ooding,

uncleared debris and standing water. Proceed with

caution when you do venture out.

At your house, walk around your home or business

rst to survey damage and enter with caution.

• If you suspect a gas leak, leave immediately then

call 911 or your natural gas provider from a safe

location.

• If your building has been ooded, have a licensed

electrician inspect the electrical system and

appliances before turning the power back on.

• Be extremely careful with re.

• Let your out-of-town contact know you are safe.

Post-Storm Safety Precautions

• Use grills outdoors and away from windows.

• Avoid candles; use battery-operated lights.

• Stay tuned to your local media for up-to-date

emergency information.

• Always supervise children - DO NOT WADE IN

FLOOD WATERS.

• Be aware of snakes, insects, and other animals

driven to higher ground by oods.

• Drink plenty of uids, rest and ask for help when

you need it.

• Don’t burn trash.

Staying Informed Without Power

In the aftermath of a large storm event which results

in widespread power outages, Charlotte County

libraries and recreation centers that are safe to

access will serve as xed locations for basic daily

information, usually in the form of printed yers,

some locations may have charging stations and more

amenities. All locations will be based on accessibility

and road conditions and information may not be at all

locations:

• Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park

6961 San Casa Drive

Englewood, FL 34224

• Harold Avenue Regional Park

23400 Harold Avenue

Port Charlotte, FL 33980

• Centennial Park

1120 Centennial Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33953

• Port Charlotte Beach Park

4500 Harbor Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

• South County Regional Park

670 Cooper Street

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

• Tringali Park

3460 North Access Road

Englewood, FL 34224

• Englewood Charlotte Public Library

3450 North Access Rd.

Englewood, FL 34224

• Port Charlotte Public Library

2280 Aaron St.

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

• Punta Gorda Charlotte Library

401 Shreve St.

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

• Mid-County Regional Library

2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

Information will also be available at emergency food

and water points of distribution.

Keeping a battery-powered radio and batteries can

also help you stay informed. See page 10 for more

information.

Portable Generator Safety

• NEVER connect a portable generator to building

wiring. Plug appliances directly into the generator.

• Place generators outdoors and away from doors,

windows, and vents that could allow deadly

exhaust fumes to come indoors.

• Before refueling your generator, turn it o and let

it cool down. Don’t forget to check the oil.

• Keep the generator dry.

• Store fuel outside in labeled, approved containers.

1716

What to Expect After a Disaster

After a disaster, you may be without power and many of the other services you rely on

(water, sewer, phone, cell phone, and businesses) for days.

Immediate response may not be possible, so you must be self-reliant.

Disaster Safety Tips

1918 19

Tornado

Safety Tips

• Have a NOAA Weather Radio and/or a

commercial radio and extra batteries.

• Many mobile phones are capable of receiving

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). These alerts

can inform you about life-threatening weather

conditions in your immediate area.

• Seek shelter in a small, windowless interior room

or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building.

• Mobile homes and RVs are not safe during

tornadoes. Abandon mobile homes/RVs and go to

the nearest sturdy building immediately.

• If you cannot quickly walk to a sturdy building,

immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat

belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy building.

• If ying debris occurs while you are driving, pull

over and park. If you can safely get noticeably

lower than the level of the roadway, lie in that area,

covering your head with your hands. Otherwise,

stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. Put your

head down below the windows, covering with your

hands and a blanket if possible.

Know the terms used to describe tornado threats:

Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are possible. Remain

alert for approaching storms.

Tornado Warning - A tornado has been sighted or

indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately

if a Tornado Warning is issued for your area.

Fire

Ahead of time, create an evacuation plan, including

where you will go and how you will get there. Unlike

a hurricane, with re you may only have a moment’s

notice. Have two escape routes out of your home or

business and out of your neighborhood. Have a plan

for evacuating your pets.

Fire drills help you practice your evacuation plan.

Make sure everyone knows at least two escape

routes from your home and business.

Smoke detectors are essential for every home. The

average time to safely exit a home lling with smoke

is two minutes. Smoke detectors will help alert you

to the danger, providing a valuable early warning for

you to get out of your home and call 911. Check your

smoke detectors and replace the batteries regularly.

Disease Outbreak

Follow the latest guidelines from the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov) to protect

yourself, your family and your business from any

current health risks or outbreaks.

Cleanup & Repairs

• Know what your insurance policy covers and

what you will need to submit a claim. Take

photographs of all damage before repairs and

keep all receipts.

• Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective

clothing and work with someone else.

• Avoid downed or dangling power lines.

• Be careful when clearing fallen trees; call

professionals to remove large, uprooted trees.

• Use proper safety equipment such as heavy

gloves, safety goggles, heavy boots, long-sleeve

shirts and long pants. Tie back long hair.

• Permits may be required for demolition or repairs,

reconstruction, roong, or lling. Contact the

Charlotte County Community Development:

www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov or call 941.743.1201.

Chain Saw Safety

Chain saws are inherently dangerous. Follow all

safety precautions when using a chain saw:

• Always read the operating manual thoroughly

prior to operating a saw.

• Follow all manufacturer safety guidelines for

starting, cutting, and fueling.

• Wear protective equipment: chaps, gloves,

earplugs, and a hard hat (in case of kickback or

falling debris).

• Ensure rm footing, remove loose material from

underfoot; spread feet in a wide, balanced stance.

• Keep the work area clear to avoid tripping hazards.

• Always maintain control and a rm grip on the saw.

• Always be alert to saw kickback.

• Never cut above chest height, control is dicult.

• Use a pole saw for cuts above your head.

• Do not over-reach or under-reach when cutting;

you will be o balance.

• Estimate what the reaction of what you’re cutting

will be; will it whip up, down, or toward you.

• Identify and keep an escape route clear.

• Remember, even the smallest injury with a

chain saw usually requires professional medical

attention.

Protect Against Contractor Fraud

• Hire only licensed contractors. Unlicensed

contracting during a State of Emergency is a

felony.

• Be cautious of anyone coming to your home

uninvited and oering to do home repairs or

asking you to pull the permits. These may be

indications they are not properly licensed.

• Report possible unlicensed activity in

Charlotte County by contacting the Community

Development Department at 941.743.1201 or

BuildingConstruction@CharlotteCountyFL.gov

• Obtain a written estimate or contract. Insist on

start/completion dates and payment terms in the

contract. Do not pay in full before work begins or

pay the nal balance until work is completed to

your satisfaction. NEVER pay with cash.

Important Numbers

Police, Fire, EMS Emergencies .......................... 911

Charlotte County Sheri’s Oce ........ 941.639.2101

–Englewood ................................ 941.474.3233

Emergency Management ...................941.833.4000

Charlotte County Government ............. 941.743.1200

Charlotte County Health Dept. ........... 941.624.7200

Charlotte County Public Works ...........941.575.3600

Charlotte County Animal Control ........941.833.5690

Charlotte County Solid Waste ............941.764.4360

–Englewood ................................ 941.697.4000

Charlotte County Utilities .................... 941.764.4300

Charlotte County School District ........941.255.0808

Punta Gorda Public Safety ..................9 41.639.4111

Punta Gorda Public Works .................941.575.5050

Punta Gorda Utilities ...........................941.575.3339

Florida Power and Light ...................1.800.468.8243

Salvation Army ................................... 941.629.3170

American Red Cross .......................1.800.733.2767

Flood

If ooding threatens, get to higher ground. Take dry

clothing, a ashlight and a portable radio with you.

Do not walk, swim, or drive through ood waters.

Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-

moving water can knock you down, and one foot of

moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Do not allow children or pets near high water, storm

drains or ditches. Flood waters may be contaminated.

Hazardous Materials Incident

Follow the directions given by public ocials quickly.

If told to evacuate:

• Move to the location designated by public ocials.

• Stay calm. Quickly gather what you will need,

unless you are told to leave immediately.

• Keep car windows/air vents closed. Do not

use the air conditioner until you are out of the

evacuation area.

If told to stay indoors & shelter-in-place:

• Stay inside until local ocials say you can leave

safely. Bring pets indoors.

• Close all doors and windows. Seal gaps under

doorways and windows with damp towels and

duct tape. Turn o heating, cooling or ventilation

systems.

• If you are told to protect your breathing, cover

your nose and mouth with a cloth or towel.

Terrorism/Violent Crime

See Something - Say Something. Call Charlotte

County Sheri’s Oce 941.639.2101 (Englewood

941.474.3233) or call Florida’s toll-free hotline

1.855.352.7233 (1.855.FLA.SAFE) to report any

suspicious activity. If it is an emergency, CALL 911!

Call Center – Ofcial Information

During Disasters 941.833.4000

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