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<div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Planning, Preparation and Staying Informed are Keys to Hurricane Safety </span> </h3> </div> <div> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/e1331815/dms3rep/multi/hurricane-prep.jpg"/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Whether you are new to Central Florida or just want to brush up on your hurricane readiness basics, Horizon West Magazine is here for you with important information and valuable storm preparation resources. Bookmark this page for reference if, and when, hurricane resources are needed. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> Hurricanes are a concern for all Floridians, but advanced planning and preparation can help reduce your risks and your worries about protecting your family and property. The keys to hurricane safety are </span> </span> <span> planning </span> <span> <span> , </span> </span> <span> <span> preparation </span> </span> <span> <span> and </span> </span> <span> staying informed </span> <span> .  </span> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h2> <span> Planning </span> </h2> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> When is Hurricane Season? </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30 every year. The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and late October, when the waters in the equatorial Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico have warmed enough to help support the development of tropical waves. </span> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Does Horizon West Get Hurricanes? </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> <span> Although Horizon West is centrally located in Florida, hurricanes can still bring hazards in many forms. Even if the hurricane makes landfall elsewhere in the state, the impacts like heavy rains, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding can be felt hundreds of miles away. </span> </span> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h2> <span> Preparation </span> </h2> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> How Do I Prepare for Hurricane Season or an Impending Storm? </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Prepare an Emergency Kit: </span> <span> <span> </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> It is important to make sure you have an emergency kit stocked with the necessary items recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Most of the items are inexpensive and could help save a life. Be sure to also consider what unique needs additional family members might have, such as supplies for babies, pets, and seniors.New Paragraph </span> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> <span> Visit </span> </span> <a href="http://www.ready.gov/kit" target="_blank"> www.ready.gov/kit </a> <span> <span> to review all current recommended items and download a printable shopping list. Here is a basics list: </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.ready.gov/water" target="_blank"> Water </a> <span>  (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation) </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ready.gov/food" target="_blank"> Food </a> <span>  (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food) </span> </li> <li> <span> Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert </span> </li> <li> <span> Flashlight </span> </li> <li> <span> First aid kit </span> </li> <li> <span> Extra batteries </span> </li> <li> <span> Whistle (to signal for help) </span> </li> <li> <span> Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) </span> </li> <li> <span> Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to  </span> <a href="https://www.ready.gov/shelter" target="_blank"> shelter in place </a> <span> ) </span> </li> <li> <span> Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) </span> </li> <li> <span> Wrench or pliers (to  </span> <a href="https://www.ready.gov/safety-skills" target="_blank"> turn off utilities </a> <span> ) </span> </li> <li> <span> Manual can opener (for food) </span> </li> <li> <span> Local maps </span> </li> <li> <span> Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery </span> </li> </ul> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> </div> <div> <a> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/e1331815/dms3rep/multi/hurricane-build-a-kit.jpg" alt=""/> </a> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Take Advantage of Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for Supplies </span> </h3> </div> <div> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/e1331815/dms3rep/multi/Disaster+prep+2024+banner.png" alt=""/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> The Florida Legislature has passed the annual sales tax holiday for Disaster Preparedness. It runs June 1 - 14, 2024. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Tax-exempt preparedness items include flashlights, batteries, coolers, tarps, generators, pet supplies, and much more. A second disaster sales tax holiday is planned during peak hurricane season, August 24 - September 6, 2024. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> For more details about qualifying items and that are exempt from sales tax, visit </span> </span> <a href="https://floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"> Florida Department of Revenue Disaster Prep </a> <span> <span> site. </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> </div> <div> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/e1331815/dms3rep/multi/Hurricane+Disaster+Prep+poster11X17_JPG.jpg" alt=""/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> What Additional Preparations Are Needed? </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> <span> Create a Family Emergency Communication Plan: </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. Get all the instructions and details at: </span> </span> <a href="http://www.ready.gov/plan" target="_blank"> www.ready.gov/plan </a> <span> <span> </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> Protect Your Home: </span> </span> </p> <ul> <li> <span> <span> Trim trees before the start of hurricane season. </span> </span> </li> <li> <span> <span> Make sure drains and gutters are clear. </span> </span> </li> <li> <span> <span> Call Orange County 311 (407-836-3111) if street storm drains appear clogged. </span> </span> </li> <li> <span> <span> Bring in outside furniture and loose items. </span> </span> </li> <li> <span> <span> If there is construction near your home, ensure job sites are secured and call 311 to report any concerns. </span> </span> </li> <li> <span> <span> Gather important documents like insurance policies and agent contact information. </span> </span> </li> <li> <span> Consider buying a generator. Review generator safety and always run generators outdoors. </span> </li> </ul> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> Review Orange County Resources: </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> For more information on emergency information from Orange County Government and how to prepare for a hurricane, visit </span> </span> <a href="http://www.ocfl.net/storm" target="_blank"> www.ocfl.net/storm </a> <span> <span> and </span> </span> <a href="https://www.orangecountyfl.net/emergencysafety/hurricanesafetyguide.aspx" target="_blank"> https://www.orangecountyfl.net/emergencysafety/hurricanesafetyguide.aspx </a> <span> <span> </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Don’t Forget to Look Out for Your Neighbors: </span> </p> <p> <span> Check with neighbors,  </span> <a href="https://www.ready.gov/seniors" target="_blank"> senior adults </a> <span> , or those  </span> <a href="https://www.ready.gov/disability" target="_blank"> who may need additional help </a> <span>  securing hurricane plans to see how you can be of assistance to others. Your HOA may need volunteers to help secure common grounds, pool furniture or other items, too. If you have the means, it’s a great idea to remember your neighbors and immediate community by offering help. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> </div> <div> <a> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/e1331815/dms3rep/multi/hurricane-neighbor-check.jpg" alt=""/> </a> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> What if We Have to Leave Our Home? </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> <span> In some cases, you may have a day or two to prepare while a storm approaches, but other situations might call for an immediate evacuation —for example, if your home becomes unexpectedly damaged during the storm. Planning is vital to making sure that you can evacuate quickly and safely no matter what the circumstances. Instructions on planning and what to do during and after an evacuation are available at: </span> </span> <a href="https://www.ready.gov/evacuation" target="_blank"> https://www.ready.gov/evacuation </a> </p> <p> <br/> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h2> <span> Staying Informed </span> </h2> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Which Weather Sources are Best? </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> When it comes to weather coverage, follow local Central Florida news stations for the most accurate coverage on storms that may impact our area. National news outlets may not have the best coverage or experience in dealing with Florida weather and storm patterns. Find a station with a “no hype” policy to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> We recommend WESH, specifically </span> </span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/MeteorologistEricBurris/" target="_blank"> meteorologist Eric Burris </a> <span> . Eric does live streaming sessions on social media where he gives extended and detailed weather analysis every day, and often multiple times per day, when storms are approaching. He vows to set expectations accurately and appropriately for any approaching storms. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> As mentioned above in the emergency kit list, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert are important to have on hand in case of a power outage. </span> </span> <span> NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) </span> <span> <span> is a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service office based on your physical location. The </span> </span> <a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/stations?State=FL" target="_blank"> frequency for the Orlando area </a> <span> <span> is 162.475. </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Which Apps are most Important? </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <a href="https://www.orangecountyfl.net/Home/NewslettersAlerts/OCFLAlert.aspx#.YSlI-ohKiUk" target="_blank"> OCFL Alert </a> <span> <span> is an Orange County app that provides life-saving information about open shelter locations, water and ice distribution centers, evacuation routes and public service announcements. </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> OC ALERT is not an app, but it is an alert system that allows Orange County Government to contact you via email or cell phone text message during an emergency affecting Orange County. </span> </span> <a href="https://member.everbridge.net/892807736724792/login" target="_blank"> Register free-of-charge for OCAlert </a> <span> . </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> Social Media sites like Twitter are also valuable tools for communication during storm events. Make sure to follow official sources like: </span> </p> <ul> <li> <span> <span> Orange County Government: </span> </span> <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeCoFL" target="_blank"> @OrangeCoFL </a> </li> <li> <span> <span> Orange County Mayor: </span> </span> <a href="https://twitter.com/OCFLMayor" target="_blank"> @OCFLMayor </a> </li> <li> <span> <span> Orange County Fire Rescue: </span> </span> <a href="https://twitter.com/OCFireRescue"> @OCFireRescue </a> </li> <li> <span> <span> Orange County Sheriff’s Dept: </span> </span> <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeCoSheriff" target="_blank"> @OrangeCoSheriff </a> </li> </ul> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> For a full list of Orange County social media sites, visit </span> </span> <a href="https://www.orangecountyfl.net/Home/SocialMedia.aspx " target="_blank"> https://www.orangecountyfl.net/Home/SocialMedia.aspx </a> <span> <span> </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> The </span> </span> <a href="https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-app-text-messages"> FEMA App </a> <span> <span> offers the ability to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. You can also learn emergency safety tips for over 20 types of disasters and locate open emergency shelters and disaster recovery centers in your area, and more. </span> </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Stay safe out there, Horizon West!  </span> </h3> </div>