2010S5-SBREVARDHurr

2 South BREVARDHOMETOWN NEWS Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

Letter from the American Red Cross Mid-Florida As we have seen around the world,

and in our own backyards, thepotential for a devastating disaster

lingers at every turn. What if such anemergency affected your home orbusiness? How would you handle a crisis?

Preparedness and prevention is thekey to answering these questions and itshould be at the forefront of all of ourminds as we enter another hurricaneseason. And this year, the American RedCross wants you to be calm before thestorm.

Being prepared is what this specialedition of Hometown News is all about.With the information you find here, youcan learn what steps to take before astorm approaches to ensure you, yourfamily, and your business are ready forhurricane season and any otherdisaster.

As you flip through these pages, payattention to the valuable insights of ourRed Cross volunteers, our disaster andshelter plans, and the detailed descrip-tion of the supplies you’ll need.

It is the goal of the American RedCross Mid-Florida Region, as a leader in

response andpreparednesswith more than 90years in CentralFlorida, toprovide servicesin the wake of adisaster. But theRed Cross offersso much more.We are also hereto provide healthand safetytraining and

communications for our servicemenand women every single day of the year.The work of the Red Cross is carried outby the more than 1,500 volunteerswithin the Mid-Florida Region whowork together to serve not just BrevardCounty but Citrus, Flagler, Hernando,Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange,Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, andVolusia. It’s a network of neighborshelping neighbors whether it’s downthe street, across the country or aroundthe world.

The American Red Cross works to

change lives in our communities – andthis wouldn’t be possible without you.Disaster victims are able to sleep in asafe environment and feed themselves,and their children, because of yourvaluable donations. Members of ourarmed forces and their families are ableto reach each other while experiencinga loss or celebrating a birth because ofyou. And a good Samaritan is able togive life-saving CPR to someone whosuddenly experiences cardiac arrest orother emergency because of thecommunity’s support. It still comes as asurprise to many people but theAmerican Red Cross receives no federal,state or local tax dollars.

That’s why it’s critically important foreach of you reading this publication toask yourself, “How can I help the RedCross, my neighbors and my communi-ty?”

The answer is simple. You canbecome a volunteer. How you help isyour choice. You can donate your timeor your money. No gift is too small.Even one dollar from each member ofyour family helps. Imagine if everyone

in this community gave that?You can also help yourself by better

preparing for hurricane season or anyemergency. Just follow some simplesteps:

Get a Kit. The American Red Crossrecommends everyone stock up with anemergency-preparedness kit thatcontains at least three days worth ofessential items. It should include water(one gallon per person, per day),nonperishable food, a flashlight, abattery or crank powered radio, extrabatteries, a manual can opener, cashand important medications. Store itemsin a sturdy, sealable, easy-to-carrycontainer.

Make a plan. The American RedCross recommends creating andpracticing an evacuation and commu-nications plan. Each person in yourhousehold should know how to reachother members and where to meet ifyou can’t go home.

As part of your communications plan,choose an out-of-area relative or friendas an emergency contact and make sureall your household members know how

Joel Hass

3South BREVARDHOMETOWN NEWS

Friday, May 28, 2010 HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

to contact this person.Choose two meeting places: one

right outside your home in case youneed to escape in a hurry, and oneoutside your neighborhood in case youcan’t return home.

Be informed. Being informed meansfinding out what types of disasters arelikely to occur where you live, work andplay, and how you would receiveinformation from local officials in theevent of a disaster.

Part of being informed is learningfirst aid, CPR and how to use an AED, soyou have the skills to respond to anemergency when help is delayed.

To learn more about CPR/AED and

first-aid, contact your local Red CrossChapter. You can also register for a classat www.midfloridaredcross.org

As you can see, the American RedCross takes preparedness and preven-tion very seriously. When a disasterstrikes, the Red Cross is there ready torespond providing help and assistancewhere it’s needed most. With your helpwe can continue that tradition. Contactyour local American Red Cross chaptertoday and get involved. You can helpsave the day for your neighbors!

Sincerely,

Joel W. HassChief Executive OfficerAmerican Red Cross Mid-Florida Region

LetterFrom page 2

HometownNewsOL.com

Published weekly by Hometown News, L.C., 380 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935Copyright © 2010, Hometown News , L.C.

Phone (321) 242-1013 • Fax (321) 242-1281Classified (800) 823-0466 • Rants & Raves (866) 242-1276

Circulation Inquiries: 1-866-913-6397 or [email protected]

Steven E. Erlanger Vernon D. Smith Tammy RaitsPublisher and C.O.O. Managing Partner Managing Editor

Voted Number 1 Community Newspaper in Americaby the Association of Free Community Papers.

4 South BREVARDHOMETOWN NEWS Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

Primary evacuation shelters

What do you have to do if you need toevacuate from an impending storm?

Locate the evacuation route for yourarea and plan your evacuation destina-tion. You are urged to shelter with fami-ly or friends, or at a hotel out of theevacuation area.

Check your disaster supplies kit.Have a full tank of gas in your car. If youare ordered to evacuate, move valu-ables to higher points in your home;turn off gas, electricity and water. Bringin loose objects and furniture. Tie downstorage sheds, boats and trailers andsecure your doors and windows.

Leave early, in daylight if possible,and proceed to your planned destina-tion. Take valuables such as insurancepolicies, official records and your per-sonal property inventory. Be sure totake cash with you, as ATMs, banks andstores may not cash checks or honorcredit cards.

Remember, you will not be asked toleave your home unless you are seri-

ously threatened. When you areordered to evacuate, go immediately.Monitor television and radio newsbroadcasts for information updates.Purchase an NOAA weather alert radioto listen for immediate severe weatherinformation year-round.

Please note: Not all shelters may beopen during a storm. Please call theBrevard County Office of EmergencyManagement at (321) 637-6670 or (321)637-6674 to see if the shelter nearestyou is open before arriving.

Below is a list of primary evacuationshelters in Brevard County:

• Mims Elementary School: 2582 U.S.1, Mims

• Apollo Elementary School: 3085Knox McRae Drive, Titusville

• Imperial Estates Elementary: 5525Kathy Drive, Titusville

• Walter Butler Community Center:4201 U.S. 1, Cocoa

• Brevard Community College:Cocoa campus, Building 3, 1519 Clear-lake Road, Cocoa

For Hometown [email protected]

See SHELTERS, 5



Preparing for a shelter stayBrevard County strongly urges that a public shelter be used only as a last

resort. You will be more comfortable sheltering with family, friends or in com-mercial lodging. If you require public sheltering, please be familiar with yourdesignated primary evacuation shelter location and your planned route to thatshelter. Shelter route signs have been posted to assist you.

Below is a list of necessities to bring with you if you must stay at an emergencypublic shelter:

• Be sure to take enough food and supplies to last several days, includingspecial diet foods, as food may not be readily available at the shelter.

• Bring bottled water (2 quarts per person per day) and other beverages, suchas juices and soft drinks.

• Bring a manual can opener, eating utensils, paper plates, cups and napkinsor paper towels.

• Infant formula, food and diapers.• Have a two-week supply of medications and a first-aid kit.• Cash or traveler’s checks.• Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, folding chairs. Bedding is not provided in

public shelters.• Personal hygiene items and changes of clothing.• Flashlight, battery-powered radio or television and spare batteries, cards,

games, books and toys.• DO NOT take pets (except guide dogs), alcoholic beverages or weapons of

any kind to public shelters.

Source: Brevard County Office of Emergency Management

For Hometown [email protected] • Manatee Elementary School: 3425

Viera Blvd., Viera• Sherwood Elementary School: 2541

Post Road, Melbourne• Eau Gallie High School: 1400 Com-

modore Blvd., Melbourne• Melbourne High School: 74 Bulldog

Blvd., Melbourne• Meadowlane Intermediate Elemen-

tary School: 2700 Wingate Blvd., West

Melbourne• Heritage High School: 2351 Malabar

Road, Palm Bay• Bayside High School: 1901

DeGroodt Road S.W., Palm Bay• Barefoot Bay Community Center:

Building A, Barefoot Boulevard (Not ashelter; meet at community center fortransportation to a shelter)

• South Mainland Community Cen-ter: 3700 Allen Ave., Micco

Source: Brevard County Office ofEmergency Management

SheltersFrom page 4

6 South BREVARD Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

EVACUATION ROUTES

IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVEIf you live near the coast or in a manufactured home or recreational vehicle,

you will almost certainly be ordered to evacuate when a storm threatens. Listento local news reports and have your emergency supplies and important paperspacked and ready to go. When the time comes, make sure your home is lockedand shuttered, and leave!

Just as homeowners must preparefor a hurricane to protect themselvesand their neighbors, tenants of PortCanaveral must do the same to pro-tect the port.

When the severe weather of a hurri-cane threatens, the safest place forlarge ships is out at sea. Those left inPort could potentially cause damageto themselves and port infrastructure.

Currently, four un-manned SunCruz Casino ships occupy dock spacein Port Canaveral, after their parentcompany filed bankruptcy in Decem-ber 2009.

While the ships are in auction, thereis no one to move them.

The United States Coast Guard setsthe guidelines for when ships need tobe moved out of port.

Seventy-two hours before the onsetof gale force winds, all ships arerequired to prepare to get underwaywithin 24 hours. “Dead” ship or ves-sels unable to put to sea must make

written application to the Captain ofthe Port to remain in Port.

According to the United StatesCoast Guard’s 2009 Severe WeatherSeason guide, “there are no safehavens in the Port of Canaveral area,including the Barge Canal, and thePort is safest when the inventory ofvessels is at a minimum. For planningpurposes, all vessels and barges lessthan 500 gross tons are required toput to sea if Hurricane Condition Yan-kee (a hurricane is forecasted to hitwithin 72 hours) is set.”

Rosalind Postell-Harvey, director ofcommunications for Port Canaveral,said though the decision for whenships must leave port is up to theCoast Guard, the Port has similarjurisdiction over the leaseholdersproviding berths for the ships.

“The consequence for noncompli-ance, putting the rest of the Port atrisk, could be severe,” she said.

Ships in noncompliance could alsocould also face fines from the CoastGuard, she added.



Ships in the Port may be danger in a hurricane

Andy Stefanek/staff photographerThe SunCruz Casino boat waits at the dock in Port Canaveral behind a lockedfence. Dec. 13 was the last date that the ship sailed with customers.

By Jenet [email protected]

8 South BREVARD Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010



• Space Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross: (321) 890-1002• Brevard County Emergency Management: (321) 637-6670• National Weather Service Melbourne: (321) 255-0212• Brevard County Animal Servicesand Enforcement: (321) 633-2024. For emergencies after hours, (321)633-9880

Non-emergency numbers• For all emergencies dial 911

Brevard County Sheriff’s Officenon-emergency numbers:

• South: (321) 952-6371• South: (772) 663-6269• North: (321) 264-5100• Central: (321) 633-7162• North Precinct,Titusville:(321) 264-5208• West Precinct,Viera: (321) 633-2123• East Precinct, Merritt Island: (321)454-6652• Canaveral Precinct: (321) 868-1113

• South Precinct, Melbourne: (321)253-6658

Police departments’ non-emergency numbers:

• Palm Bay Police Department: (321) 952-3456• Melbourne Police Department:(321) 409-2200 • West Melbourne Police Department: (321) 723-9673• West Melbourne Police Department Non-Emergency Dispatch: (321) 639-7532• Melbourne Beach Police Department: (321) 723-4343• Indialantic Police Department:(321) 723-7788• Indian Harbour Beach Police Department: (321) 773-3030• Satellite Beach Police Department:(321) 773-4400• Cocoa Beach Police/Fire Department: (321) 868-3251• Titusville Police Department: (321)264-7800

Fire departments’ non-emergency numbers

• Brevard County Fire Rescue: (321) 637-5550• Cape Canaveral Fire Department:(321) 783-4777• Palm Bay Fire Rescue: (321) 409-6300• Malabar Fire Department:(321) 725-1030• Melbourne Fire Department:Non-emergency line for alloffices/departments (321) 674-5866• Indialantic Fire Department: (321) 723-0366• Indian Harbour Beach Fire/Police Department: (321) 773-3030• Satellite Beach Fire Department:(321) 773-4405• Cocoa Beach Fire/Police Department: (321) 868-3251• Cocoa Fire Department: (321) 639-7613

Important numbers RADIO STATIONS

Cocoa

• WMIE-FM 91.5• WLRQ-FM 99.3• WMMV-AM1350• WWBC-AM1510

Cocoa Beach

• WJRR-FM 101.1• WTKS-FM 104.1• WMEL-AM 1300

Melbourne

• WFIT-FM 89.5• WBVD-FM 95.1• WCIF-FM 106.3• WAOA-FM107.1

• WDMC-AM 920• WMMB-AM1240• WINT-AM 1560

Palm Bay

• WEJF-FM 90.3

Rockledge

• WHKR-FM102.7

Satellite Beach

• WSBH-FM 98.5

Titusville

• WPIO-FM 89.3• WNUE-FM 98.1• WIXC-AM 1060• WTIV-AM 1230

Source: www.FCC.gov (from theA/FMQ FM Radio Database Query)

10South BREVARDHOMETOWN NEWS Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010



AlexBonnieColin

DanielleEarl

FionaGaston

HermineIgorJuliaKarlLisa

MatthewNicole

OttoPaula

RichardSharyTomas

VirginieWalter

Hurricane names for 2010

— National Hurricane Center


Checklist of supplies you’ll needHere are supplies and tips to help you

endure hurricanes and other tropicalstorms:

• Plywood boards andfasteners or hurricane shutters• Water: A gallon per personper day,with a three-day minimum supply; freeze aheadof time• A two-week supply of nonperishable food;a manualcan opener• Beverages• Paper plates and cups,plasticutensils• Emergency cooking equipment• Ice chest filled with ice• Two-week supply of

prescription medications• Toiletries• Emergency cash• AM/FM weather radio• Battery-operated radio ortelevision• Pillows,bedding,blankets• Batteries• Matches• Cell phone• Flashlights and battery-operated lanterns• Fire extinguisher• First-aid kit• Hammer (in case you need tobreak through debris)• Paper towels, toilet tissue,facial tissue,baby wipes,sanitary napkins• Bug spray• Resealable plastic bags• Plastic sheeting• Rope, tarpaulins, tape

• Bleach or water purificationtablets• Raincoats, rain hats,umbrellas• Games,cards,puzzles,books,magazines• Baby supplies, including formula,bottles and diapers•Pet food and supplies,such as litter and pads• Written instructions on how toturn off electricity,gas and water if authorities advise you to do so• Place important papers in a watertight container• Fill bathtub and containers with water for sanitary use• Fill your vehicle’s gas tankFor more information, contact the

Space Coast Red Cross at (321) 890-1002, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.spacecoastred-cross.org.


Photo courtesy Dave KnoerAmerican Red Cross

Cocoa Florida resident Lisa Daniels isthankful and appreciative as she hugsa Red Cross volunteer in RockledgeFlorida. The communities in the areasuffered serious damage followingTropical Storm Fay in 2008.

Thanks



Pets are not allowed in public sheltersadministered by the American RedCross. Pet owners are strongly advisedto make prior arrangements for shelter-ing their pets during emergencies.

The North Animal Care and AdoptionCenter, (321) 264-5119 and the SouthAnimal Care and Adoption Center, (321)253-6608, unless evacuated, will beopen to receive pets on an emergencybasis only. Pet-friendly shelters will alsobe opened at the Port St. John Commu-nity Center, 6650 Corto Road, Port St.John and Viera Regional Park, 2300Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, for youto shelter and care for your pet. Theseshelters will be open to people and petsin mandatory evacuation areas only.

You will need:• current rabies vaccination certificate

• county animal license tags• pet food and water, as well aswatertight containers• pet medications• leash and collar• crate or cage large enough for theanimal to stand comfortably and turn around• cleaning supplies• comfort items for your petIf you are not in a mandatory evacua-

tion area and decide to leave, you mustmake arrangements for your pet to gowith you. Pets should not be left behindunattended. The Melbourne Grey-hound Park will not be used as a petevacuation shelter. For emergenciescountywide, call Brevard County Ani-mal Services and Enforcement at (321)633-2024.

For more information, visit www.bre-vardanimalservices.org.


What to do with your petsduring a hurricaneFor Hometown [email protected]

Volunteer at work

Photo courtesy Dave Knoer/American Red CrossRed Cross volunteer Richard Gallaher assesses damage in the community ofCocoa. The area suffered extensive damage following Tropical Storm Fay inAugust 2008.

14South BREVARD Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010



Disaster Services seeks greatest need: volunteers

The Disaster Services arm of theSpace Coast Chapter of the AmericanRed Cross is probably the departmentmost people are familiar with.

They’re the ones who show upimmediately after a disaster, such as ahouse fire, tornado or hurricane, toprovide basic needs to victims.

They provide shelter, clothing andfood to those who have lost it all, butthey couldn’t continue to do theirgood works without one of their ownbasic needs, said Melissa Perez, emer-gency services manager for the SpaceCoast Chapter of the American RedCross.

“We need people,” she said. “TheNo. 1 thing we do during somethinglike a hurricane is provide food andshelter. (However), this is the areawhere it’s hardest to retain volun-teers, because they feel like they’renot being utilized.”

These volunteers are usually onlycalled to service during a large-scaledisaster, which, thankfully, are fewand far between, she said.

Ms. Perez said she currently hasabout 300 volunteers on the booksthat are trained to help people duringa disaster. But often, only three out of10 of them are available to help in alocal disaster because they have totake care of their own families andhomes first.

That leaves Disaster Services short-handed at a time when they needtheir volunteers the most, Ms. Perezsaid.

“(But) then we have spontaneousvolunteers who show up after a disas-ter to help,” she said. “The problem is,we put our volunteers through a rig-orous training program. So we’ll havepeople, just not trained people.”

Ms. Perez said that if spontaneousvolunteers show up, the Red Crossdoes put them to work; however,these untrained volunteers are oftenpaired up with those who have suc-cessfully completed training or givena task that requires little or no train-ing, such as unloading a supply truck.

“And it is a huge help because theyare contributing in a big way,” Ms.Perez said.

Also, if too many spontaneous vol-unteers show up, Disaster Services

will refer them to an organizationcalled Voluntary Organizations Activein Disaster, or VOAD. Officials withthis agency match volunteers’ skillswith the needs of other organizationsworking to help victims of disaster.

Ideally, Ms. Perez said she’d like tohave double the workforce on call.That means recruiting an additional300 volunteers.

Becoming a volunteer is easy, Ms.Perez said. Those interested shouldvisit the Space Coast chapter’s Website at www.spacecoastredcross.org todownload a volunteer applicationand complete the organization’s ori-entation. Once the application iscompleted, applicants are asked tosubmit to a background check, whichis done to ensure the safety of clientsand volunteers.

Volunteers are then put through afree training program provided by theRed Cross. There, they learn how toeffectively manage a shelter and aretaught how to get communityresources for victims, Ms. Perez said.

“For example, if I’m having troublegetting someone to repair my roof,the volunteers know other organiza-tions whose volunteers can put a tarpon the roof, board up windows andmake other minor, temporaryrepairs,” Ms. Perez said. “They also(are taught and informed of ) whereFEMA is, when it’s coming and whatto do with pets (during and after astorm).”

Anna Vega, office manager for theSpace Coast chapter, also works as avolunteer. Most recently, sheresponded to The Colony mobilehome park in Merritt Island afterrough winds damaged several homesthere in mid-April.

“We drove around the area, wentover to see people who had suffered alot of damage, asked after their needsand checked their appearance andstate of mind,” she said. “At thatpoint, you can see what they experi-enced.”

After going through the training,Ms. Vega said she no longer panicsduring a disaster.

“Now I just get into a higher gear,”she said. “Being trained and knowingyou can pick up the phone and helpmotivates you.”

Ms. Vega added that she volunteersbecause she loves the feeling she gets

knowing that she was able to helpsomeone.

“I’m a Red Cross junkie,” she said.“The way that you feel when you’rehelping people is something you can’tdescribe. It invigorates you. Knowing

that you’re there and are helping peo-ple is extremely rewarding.”

To become a volunteer, visitwww.spacecoastredcross.org or callthe Space Coast Chapter of the Ameri-can Red Cross at (321) 806-1002.

Provide basic needs to victims following a disasterBy Jennifer [email protected] How to prepare a

disaster supplies kitThe Space Coast Chapter of the

American Red Cross recommendspreparing for a disaster by assem-bling a disaster supplies kit. The fol-lowing list contains suggested items:

Food items

• Water – at least one gallon per person per day for three to fivedays• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables• Canned juices and soups• Salt, pepper and sugar• Peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and nuts• Vitamins• Special foods for infants and the elderly

First-aid kit

• Pre-packaged first-aid kit, suchas though available through theAmerican Red Cross• Aspirin or non-aspirin painreliever• Anti-diarrhea medicine• Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal• Laxative

Clothing and bedding

• Sturdy work shoes or boots• At least one complete change of clothes per person• Raincoat• Hat and gloves• Sunglasses• Blankets and sleeping bags

Tools and supplies

• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries• Flashlights (one per person) andextra batteries• Manual can opener• Assorted screwdrivers, screws and nails• Pliers, hammer and shovel• Plastic sheeting• Shut-off tool for gas lines and water• Matches in waterproof container• Whistle• Map of your area• Soap• Toilet paper and personal hygiene items• Disinfectant and bleach• Plastic garbage bags• Cell phone, cell phone batteriesand extra charges

Miscellaneous

• Baby items, such as formula, bottles, diapers, medications and toys• Prescription medicines for all family members, at least a two-week supply• Books, games and other items for entertainment• Important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, identification (driver’s license, credit card, Social Security cards) and household inventory

Source: Space Coast Chapter of theAmerican Red Cross pamphlet,“Preparing for the Unexpected”


Helping handsRed Cross volunteer Bob Carlson ofthe Space Coast Chapter, in Rockledge, along with his wife,Marabeth, are all smiles as theydeliver clean-up kits to residents oftheir community following TropicalStorm Fay in 2008.

Photo courtesy Dave KnoerAmerican Red Cross



Special needs shelters available to disabled residents

The Brevard County Special NeedsProgram is a space-limited programfor which people with specifichealth and medical conditions canregister, providing sheltering andtransportation with the resourcesavailable in Brevard County.

The Special Needs Registry is aconfidential listing of those peoplewho meet program criteria, and isupdated on an annual basis.Patients with colostomy assistanceneeds, nebulizers, oxygen, feedingtubes or Alzheimer’s disease areexamples of medical criteria that areeligible for the registry.

While the Office of EmergencyManagement recommends shelter-ing with friends or family members,public shelters are available forthose who do not have other alter-natives.

Individuals who elect to use a spe-cial needs or other public sheltershould bring with them items suchas cots, bedding, medicine, medicalsupplies and food supplies, prepar-ing to be self-sufficient for 72 hours.The community pages of the tele-phone book provide lists of recom-mended items to take to a shelter.Special needs registrants shouldalso be accompanied by at least onecaregiver.

Most shelters are located in publicschools, and offer neither privacynor luxuries. Occupants’ comfortwill be determined by their pre-paredness.

The special needs registrationrequest form is available at theOffice of Emergency Management’sWeb site, www.embrevard.com or bycalling (321) 637-6670.



Preparation is key

When a natural disaster strikes,experts agree that residents who areunprepared fare far worse than thosewith a thought-out plan of action.

“If you wait until the last minute,you never have enough time to doanything properly,” said Bob Lay,director of Brevard County Emer-gency Management.

But disaster preparation is morethan just packing a bag and filling upyour vehicle with gas – it includes anextensive, but significant, list of tasksthat will save you time, stress andworry.

Whether it’s a hurricane, fire orother disaster, the county’s Office ofEmergency Management advises resi-dents to take steps well in advance toprotect their families, homes andbusinesses.

“Florida experiences a variety ofhazardous weather, and residentsshould know how to act or react whenthese incidents occur,” said KimberlyProsser, Brevard County communica-tions director.

When it comes to protecting yourhome, Ms. Prosser said to first identi-fy whether your home is in an areathat is likely to be, or has been previ-ously, flooded.

“Purchase flood insurance,” shesaid. “It is available whether or notyou reside in an officially designatedflood zone, and is less costly if youpurchase it before the area is desig-nated.”

Residents who live on a barrierisland or in a mobile or manufacturedhome should make plans beforehandto evacuate in the event of a disaster.

Emergency management recom-mends staying with a friend or rela-

When it comes to potential disasters, expertsadvise residents to always stay a step aheadBy Tammy [email protected]

See PREPARATION, 18


tive or in a hotel, but shelters are alsoavailable at various locationsthroughout the mainland – somewhich cater to pets or people withspecial needs.

Whatever your decision, be sure totell a friend or neighbor where you’reheaded, Ms. Prosser said.

It is also important for residents totake steps to protect their homes,whether it’s boarding windows ordampening their roofs and yards dur-ing a fire threat.

With hurricane season right aroundthe corner, residents should alreadybe putting together supply kits thatwill be ready to go in the event of adisaster.

These kits should include every-thing from food, water, a two-week’ssupply of medication, first aid and petsupplies to important documents,baby needs, bedding, toys, books andgames.

It’s important to check last year’s

hurricane supplies for expired orrecalled foods and current medica-tions, Ms. Prosser said.

“You don’t want to try and runaround and gather all those thingswhen a storm is approaching,” shesaid. “Also remember to keep somecash on hand, so you won’t have tojoin the crowd at the ATM at the lastminute.”

Making the decision to evacuate isanother task that should be donepromptly, and based on the currentrecommendations of emergencymanagement, Ms. Prosser said.

Throughout the year, the officeworks closely with the NationalWeather Service to provide up-to-date information to Brevard residentsand visitors on storm progress andthe necessary protective actions.

“Know your evacuation routes, andif evacuations are called for, do so asquickly as possible,” she said. “Don’twait until the roads are clogged withpeople driving up from South Flori-da.”

When deciding to stay at a shelter,residents should keep in mind that

conditions may be crowded and noisyand many things will not be providedat the facility.

“In the past, we’ve found that themajority of people turned up at ourshelters without the right stuff,” saidJane Bowden, public relations chair ofthe Space Coast Chapter of the Amer-ican Red Cross. “Set these thingsaside beforehand, so you can justgrab it and go if necessary.”

In addition to a disaster supply kit,the Red Cross recommends bringingthe following items to a shelter:

• two blankets and a pillow foreach person

• lawn chairs, cots or sleeping bags• two or three changes of clothing per person• dietary needs and non-perishable snacks• battery-operated radio,flashlights and batteries• copies of important documents,including identification, proof of residency, medical histories,insurance policies, account

information, emergency contacts and tax documents• personal hygiene items, such as soap, towels and toothbrushes

Items not to bring are:• coolers• furniture• candles• alcoholic drinks• illegal drugs or weapons• pets other than service animals• mattresses• items that require electrical power

For additional information abouthome protection, evacuation plans,out-of-area contacts, supplies andsafeguarding paperwork, visitwww.floridadisaster.org.

To register ahead of time for a spe-cial needs shelter, call (321) 637-6670or visit www.brevardcounty.us/EOC

For information about the RedCross, visitwww.midfloridaredcross.org

PreparationFrom page 17



Volunteers are desperately needed in a variety ofareas for hurricane season. Mobile FeedingTeam, shelter volunteers/managers, licensedmental Health professionals and nurses, driversand many other volunteers are needed. Red Cross willprovide free training for disaster services volunteers.

Volunteer today!

Yes, I want to help my friends and neighbors prepare for, survive andrecover from a hurricane.Please contact me:

Name ___________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

Telephone ________________________________________________

My donation tro help in a disaster is enclosed. Mail to: American Red Cross,Space Coast Chapter, 1700 Cedar St., Rockledge, FL 32955

(321) 890-1002 www.midfloridaredcross.org

Donation mail-in form I am making a gift of $____________

Fill in your name and address to ensure correct preparation of your receiptfor tax puposes.

Name _____________________________________________________

Employer __________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________________________

State _____________________________________________________

ZIP or postal code _____________ Country _____________________

E-mail address _____________________________________________

Telephone number __________________________________________

Please make checks payable to: American Red Cross, SpaceCoast Chapter, 1700 Cedar St., Rockledge, FL 32955

Thank you!

20South BREVARD Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

2010S5-SBREVARDHurr

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