Hurricane Resources

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Dear friends and neighbors, 

As coronavirus cases continue to spike, Floridians are also bracing for an already active 2020 hurricane season. In light of a possible crisis within a crisis, it’s important to start preparing your emergency plans now. 

Hurricanes can cause sudden challenges like knocking out power, blocking roads and disrupting the response of emergency services. COVID-19 will only add to this complexity. 

So, how do you make an emergency plan during a pandemic? First, make sure you have the most up to date information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. The more you know, the easier it’ll be to respond to a storm while following CDC recommendations. Second, plan ahead. Below you will find a compilation of resources and emergency contact information, listed county by county, that may be useful if we face a severe storm. We will be updating this page throughout hurricane season.

In case our district offices are ever closed due to a hurricane, you can always contact my D.C. office should you need any assistance: (202) 225-9889.

Lastly, a sincere thank you to all the emergency management team, first responders, police departments, healthcare workers, and thousands of volunteers that work to keep Florida safe throughout storms. Together, let’s prepare to face this year’s hurricane season.

In community, 


Darren Soto
 

PREPARING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

  • Understand that your planning may be different this year because of the need to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
  • Give yourself more time than usual to prepare your emergency food, water and medical supplies.
  • Home delivery is the safest choice for buying disaster supplies; however, that may not be an option for everyone. If in-person shopping is your only choice, take steps to protect your and others’ health when running essential errands.
  • Pay attention to local guidance about updated plans for evacuations and shelters.
  • If you may need to evacuate, prepare a “go kit” with personal items you cannot do without during an emergency. Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, including wipes and spray, or bar or liquid soap if not available and two cloth face coverings for each person.
    • Face covers should not be used by children under the age of 2.
    • They also should not be used by people having trouble breathing, or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • Below you will find information on shelters in your area. Find out if your local public shelter is open, in case you need to evacuate your home and go there. Your shelter location may be different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • If you need to go to a disaster shelter, follow CDC recommendations for staying safe and healthy in a public disaster shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • If you need to check on neighbors and friends, be sure to follow social distancing recommendations and other CDC recommendations to protect yourself and others.
  • If you will be staying with friends or family outside your household to evacuate from the storm:
    • Consider if either of your households has someone who is at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults or people of any age who have underlying medical conditions. Make sure everyone knows what they can do to keep them safe from COVID-19.
    • Know what to do if someone in your family or in the household you are staying with becomes sick with COVID-19.
  • Dealing with disasters can cause stress and strong emotions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is natural to feel anxiety, grief, and worry. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover.

MUST-HAVES

FEMA ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS and HOUSEHOLDS 

The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet the needs through other means. Assistance includes: Housing repair, replacement, and construction, and grants for uninsured, disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs.

SHELTER INFORMATION

Do not proceed to any shelter until you have confirmed that it is open and operating.

KEEP UP WITH ALERTS

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Call 911 for any emergency 
  • State of Florida Emergency Information 24-hour hotline: 1-800-342-3557

Polk County

  • Polk County Emergency Management: Phone: (863) 298-7000  
  • American Red Cross: Mid-Florida Chapter (Polk County) 863-295-5941.  Leesburg, FL:(352) 314-0883, New Port Richey, FL: (727) 848-8354 
  • Disaster Services: 24-hour phone number: 863-294-5941
  • Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) 24-hour phone number: 1-877-272-7337
  • Polk County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Numbers Polk County Emergency Management: (863) 298-7000, Polk County EMS/Fire (863) 401-2222. Polk County FIRE/EMS Administration  (863) 519-7400
  • Salvation Army Emergency Shelter and Feeding Program Lakeland, FL 33801. (863) 682-8179
  • Polk County Utilities- 863-299-4100
  • Polk County Waste- 863-284-4319
  • Lakeland Water Utilities- 863-834-8316
  • Polk County Water- 863-298-4100

Orange County

Osceola County

  • Osceola County Emergency Management  Phone: (407) 742-9000 Email:emdo@osceola.org 
  • American Red Cross: Greater Orlando Chapter (Orange, Osceola, Seminole Counties) 407-894-4141
  • Osceola Sheriff’s Office: 2586 Partin Settlement Rd Kissimmee, FL 34744 Phone: 407-348-2222 Emergency: 407-742-5911
  • Kissimmee Utility Authority- 407-933-7777
  • Toho Water Authority- 407-944-5000

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

  • Those interested in volunteering to assist in Florida, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org. Individuals looking to volunteer at shelters, should complete shelter operations training online and submit a registration form. If you are a nurse and available to volunteer, please email BPRCHDPreparedness@flhealth.gov to volunteer.
  • Anyone looking to get involved is encouraged to volunteer with local and nationally known organizations. A list of volunteer websites are available at www.nvoad.org.