Hurricane Preparation
Published May 30th, 2012
By: Yaremi Farinas
This week we kind of felt the early start of the hurricane season with tropical storm Beryl.
As you know this Friday is the official start.
That means it's time to get prepared.
That means it's time to get prepared.
"We've got you know food put away and bottles of water and also medical supplies," said Perry Clawson.
He told us he is pretty prepared for any kind of emergency.
Whether it's a flood, a tornado or a fire.
"We have fire extinguishers in every bedroom in the house and in the kitchen, so if there is a fire in the house the kids have been shown how to use the fire extinguisher and get out of the house and make their way to safety," said Clawson.
Clawson lives in Gainesville with his wife and four kids.
He told us there is only one thing he needs to buy before the hurricane season starts in two days.
"I am looking to buy a portable generator if we need it for power," said Clawson.
The National Hurricane Center expects 15 named storms this season.
David Donnelly is the Emergency Management Director in Alachua County.
Donnelly said locals should be more prepared because you never know when a hurricane or any disaster might strike.
"Most folks are unfortunately not prepared, at least not till the level they should. That is having that plan and that kit," said Donnelly.
A family emergency plan should include everything from where to get information, installing safety features in your home and choosing an out of town contact that everyone in your family can call if needed.
"Knowing what to do when something happens. Having a disaster kit of five days of food and water for each person in your family including your pet," said Donnelly.
Batteries, flashlights and a first aid kit are just a couple items you should be have in your home, just in case.
Some locals already have plans on where they will go if something goes wrong.
"We've got plans on what we have to do if we have to leave the house. We've got condos in Hilton Head that we own so we would go up there and hope the hurricane doesn't follow us," said Clawson.
For information on current emergency situations, visit the website below to register in the code red emergency notification system.
http://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/Communications/Pages/Detail.aspx?itemID=1143
