08/28/2015
FL Hurricane EMERGENCY INFO.: I was a State worker and asked to work for FL Emergency Mgmt in Tallahassee, as a FL Hotline counselor (among other things) for 2 1/2 months, 14 hours a day (2005, I believe). It sounds probable that Erika will not hit FL as a hurricane, but here's some info. - in case it's needed. (1) Phone trees can be great with contacting family/ friends...1 person contacts the next. Cell-phones may not work; landlines should work. (2) (FDOT) may temporarily close bridges to traffic with 40 mph sustained winds, when winds exceed 45 mph or due to bridge dangers. When winds reach 50 mph, all fire apparatus and law enforcement vehicles and personnel may be recalled and off the roads. (3) Downed trees are the responsibility of the homeowner or the owner's insurance. Trees on public roadways are removed by the county. (4) Some insurance companies won't pay if you drive your car into standing water OR if you turn on your electricity and your home catches on fire (without having it 1st checked by your electricity provider or fire company) after a hurricane, flood, etc. (5) You may want to register your loved ones for your county's Medical Needs Shelter (need medical electricity), NOW, before the shelter is needed. Person would be accompanied by caregiver who may need to bring her/ his own sleeping/ basic needs: Pets would go to a pet shelter. (6) US COAST GUARD - Marine & Air Emergency (get you off a submerged house, etc.) 904+247+7311; (7) . FL Highway Patrol Troops - 1+800+387+1290 (Troops B & G – Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Duval, Putnam, St Johns) (8) Office of Attorney General - Price Gouging before/ after storms at myfloridalegal; (9) Florida’s American Red Cross chapters - (provides food, water, emergency supplies, family locate service). (1) Insurance claims' numbers: claimsnumbers dot com. FL Emergency info (click on EM COMMUNITY for shelter, latest emergencies, road info, etc. http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
Florida Division of Emergency Management - Ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate against their impacts.