How to weather the storm: Volusia-Flagler do’s and don’ts for hurricane season

Welcome to hurricane season. June 1 officially began a season many experts are predicting to be incredibly active. With three named storms already in the mix just a little over two weeks into the month, and a pandemic to boot, The News-Journal spoke with Volusia and Flagler counties' emergency directors about ways to prepare for a large storm while also staying healthy.

Making sure your home is ready for whatever storm comes your way includes reviewing your insurance, said Jonathan Lord, the emergency management director for Flagler County. In a meeting on county preparedness last week, he said wind and storm insurance aren't often included in plans, even in Florida. They could just be a saving grace, and if you can afford either or both, Lord said to take the opportunity to invest.

Although it might be a regular occurrence for Floridians to deal with hurricanes, that doesn't mean it's good to let your guard down. Jim Judge, Volusia County emergency management director, said being prepared ahead of time could save lives.

"It's up to all of us right now to do our family planning," he said in a May interview. "Now is the time to make your plans on where you're going to go, where you are going to ride the storm out."

Preparing for a hurricane in the midst of a global pandemic might seem daunting. However, Lord said there's not much extra to prepare for. In an example emergency list he prepared the only extra item he included was a face mask. The list included:

Water and foodClothing, toiletries and beddingFirst aid kits and necessary medicationsFlashlights, batteries and chargersCash, car and house keys, forms of entertainmentImportant tools, pet care items and any special needs items possibly necessaryCloth face masksIf you've tested positive for coronavirus and need somewhere to go during a hurricane, both Volusia and Flagler counties are prepared. Judge said Volusia County residents who are COVID-19 positive can self-isolate in hotels partnering with the county in the event of a storm, and for Flagler County residents, they can shelter-in-place at one of the designated emergency shelters the county will have ready.

As storms come, both Judge and Lord said specific information on the shelters will be clarified.

Coronavirus cases continue to rise in the state of Florida, and for the past several days, there have been more than a thousand cases reported per day. Lord said it's important to continue social distancing from others while preparing for hurricanes, whether it be in a crowded grocery store or at a county-designated shelter, where social distancing will be much more than a suggestion.

Rather than the usual 20-square-foot allocation per evacuee, Lord said Flagler County shelters will expand that to 60-square feet to ensure safe distances. Judge said a possible figure for Volusia County is 110-square-feet per evacuee.

Shelters are open to anyone who needs them during a large storm, Judge said. But during a pandemic, if there are any other measures that can be taken, he said it's a good idea to go with those. Finding other safe places, such as staying with family or friends, or even going out of town, are all viable options.

"These shelters are a lifeboat, not a love boat," Judge said. "If they can ride out the storm in another, safe way, then they should."

"Knowing your hazards," Lord said, is essentially staying aware of your surroundings. It's important to know if you're in a flood zone, whether or not there's a possibility of falling trees around you or if your area has a possibility of being mandatorily evacuated.

As storms come and go, residents of both Volusia and Flagler counties can keep up-to-date on the information through the counties' social media sights and through News-Journal updates.

Staying ahead of the storm is something Judge said is extremely important to do. Nobody wants to be out shopping a day before the storm is supposed to hit, when essential supplies are scarce. Because June 1 signaled the beginning of hurricane season, Judge said there's no time like the present to start preparing.

"It's good to prepare for the worst and hope for the best," Judge said. "You never know what's going to be around the bend."

When is enough going to be enough? Lord said creating a proper emergency plan includes detailing at what point during a storm residents should put their plan into action. The tipping point can be proximity to a storm, the category of a hurricane or storm or even a comfort level at home.

A common trend for hurricane preparation is for residents to have a plan set in place but then fail to go through with it because they didn't designate a tipping point, Lord said. With an intense season ahead of us, he said it's imperative to know when to get moving.

"We have to be prepared," he said.

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