- Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
- Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
- If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
- Make a family emergency communication plan.
- Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
| HURRICANE CONTACT NUMBERS | |
| HOTLINES | |
| FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE/REGISTRATION | 800-621-3362
TTY: 800-462-7585 |
| U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | 800-659-2955
TTY: 800-877-8339 |
| FEMA FRAUD HOTLINE | 866-720-5721 |
| REPORT FALSE CLAIMS | 800-323-8603 |
| STATE OF FLORIDA EMERGENCY INFO 24-HOUR HOTLINE | 800-342-3557 |
| SAFE & WELLNESS HELPLINE TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE OK OR IN A SHELTER | 844-221-4160 |
| FINANCIAL SERVICES HURRICANE HELP LINE | 800-227-8676 |
| RED CROSS FOOD, SHELTER AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | 866-438-4636 |
| DCF INFORMATION | 866-762-2237 |
| ELDER HELPLINE | 800-963-5337 |
| ATTORNEY GENERAL'S PRICE GOUGING HOTLINE | 866-966-7226 |
| REPORT UNLICENSED ACTIVITY | 866-532-1440 |
| AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER SERVICES | 800-435-7352 |
| DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES | 239-533-7387 - LEE COUNTY
239-252-7387 - COLLIER |
|
EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS | |
| LEE | 239-533-0622 |
| COLLIER | 239-2523600 |
| CHARLOTTE | 941-833-4000 |
| DESOTO | 863-993-4831 |
| GLADES | 863-946-6020 |
| HENDRY | 863-674-5400 |
|
CONTRACTOR INFORMATION | |
| DIVISION OF WORKERS' COPENSATION | 800-742-2214 |
| FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS | 407-260-1511 |
| FLORIDA WALL AND CEIILING CONTRACTORS | 407-260-1313 |
| ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF FLORIDA | 813-879-8064 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFICES | |
| LEE, HEDRY, GLADES AND COLLIER | 239-596-6868 |
| CHARLOTTE & DESOTO | 941-629-4345 |
|
POWER COMPANIES | |
| FPL | 800-468-8243 |
| LCEC | 800-599-2356 |
| GLADES ELECTRIC CO-OP | 800-226-4024 |
| SCHOOL DISTRICT | 863-674-4555 OR 863-674-4622 IN CLEWISTON |
| EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT | 863-675-5255 OR 863-983-1594 IN CLEWISTON |
| COUNTY UTILITIES | 863-675-5376 |
| HEALTH DEPARTMENT | 863-674-4041 OR 863-983-1408 IN CLEWISTON |
| BUILDING & ZONING | 836-675-5245 OR 863-983-1463 |
ONLINE RESOURCES | |
| NHC.NOAA.GOV | |
| FEMA.GOV | |
| REDCROSS.ORG | |
| MYFLORIDACFO.COM | |
| FLASH.ORG | |
| FMO1.ORG |
- Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, so before hurricane season trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.
- Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.
- Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors.
- Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
- Consider building a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter designed for protection from high-winds and in locations above flooding levels.
Emergency Operations Center 239-533-0622
Bonita Springs YMCA - Bonita Springs
Island Coast High School - Cape Coral
Estero Recreation Center - Estero
Germain Arena - Estero
South Fort Myers High School (Pet Friendly) - Fort Myers
E. Lee County High School (Pet Friendly) - Lehigh Acres
Harns Marsh Elementary School - Lehigh Acres
Harns Marsh Middle School - Lehigh Acres
Mirror Lakes Elementary School - Lehigh Acres
Varsity Lakes Middle School - Lehigh Acres
Veterans Park Recreation Center - Lehigh Acres
Emergency Operations Center: 239-252-3600
Highlands Elementary School - Immokalee
Immokalee Friendship House - Immokalee
Immokalee High School - Immokalee
Immokalee Middle School - Immokalee
Pinecrest Elementary School - Immokalee
Village Oaks Elementary - Immokalee
Barron Collier High School - Naples
Big Cypress Elementary - Naples
Corkscrew Elem/Middle School - Naples
Cypress Palm Middle School - Naples
Golden Gate Intermediate School - Naples
Golden Gate Middle School - Naples
Golden Gate High School - Naples
Golden Terrace Intermediate School - Naples
Gulf Coast Intermediate School - Naples
Gulf Coast High School - Naples
Laurel Oak Elementary School - Naples
Lely High School - Naples
Mike Davis Elementary School
Naples High School
North collier Regional Park (Pet Friendly) - Pre-registration is required
North Naples Middle School
Oakridge Middle School
Palmetto Ridge High School - Special Needs
Pelican Marsh Elementary
Sable Palm Elementary School
St. Matthews House
Veterans Community Park
Vineyards Elementary School
Emergency Operations Center: 941-833-4000
*All Charlotte County shelters are now Pet Friendly
Lemon Bay High School - Englewood
Myakka River Elementary School - Englewood
Kingsway Elementary School - Port Charlotte
Liberty Elementary School - Port Charlotte
Meadow Park Elementary School - Port Charlotte
Murdock Middle School - Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte High School - Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte Middle School - Port Charlotte
Sallie Jones Elementary School -Punta Gorda
South County Regional Park -Punta Gorda
L.A. Ainger MIddle School - Rotonda
Vineland Elementary School - Rotonda
Emergency Operations Center: 863-674-5400
Central Elementary School - Clewiston
Clewiston High School - Clewiston
Clewiston Middle School (Primary Shelter) - Clewiston
Eastside Elementary School - Clewiston
Westside Elementary School - Clewiston
Country Oaks Elementary School - LaBelle
LaBelle Elementary School - LaBelle
LaBelle High School - LaBelle
LaBelle Middle School (Primary Shelter) - LaBelle
Emergency Operations Center: 863-946-6020
Buckhead Ridge VFW - Buckhead Ridge
Maple Grove Baptist Church - Lakeport
Glades County Health Department (Special Needs) - Moore Haven
Moore Haven High School - Moore Haven
Muse Community Assn. - Muse
West Glades Elementary (Special Needs) - Muse
Emergency Operations Center - 863-993-4831
Desoto Middle School -Arcadia
South Florida State College (Special Needs) -Arcadia
Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.
Steps to take:
- Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.
- Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets.
Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.
Steps to take:
- Follow evacuation orders from local officials, if given.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.
- Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
- Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
- Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
- Turn on your TV or radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
- Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
- Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.
- Review your evacuation plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead.
- Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.
- Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
- Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.
- Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.
- Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.
