Buzz
Hurricane Ian is a powerful category 3 storm with winds reaching 125 mph, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding as it moves along Florida's Gulf Coast. Below are the important actions and items you'll need to secure in advance to be ready for a hurricane or tropical storm.
Develop a Strategy for Hurricane Ian
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that you create a plan for what to do with your family in case of a hurricane or tropical storm. Ensure that all critical emergency contacts are saved on your phone and written down elsewhere. This includes the phone numbers of family members, doctors, pharmacists, teachers, and others you might need to reach in an emergency.
Find the closest shelter to your home and take the time to visit it. Plan out multiple routes to get there in case your usual route becomes blocked. Have a conversation with your family, especially your children, about how to reach the shelter, what to do if they can't contact you, and where you'll reunite if separated.
Essential Supplies to Gather Before a Hurricane
According to the CDC, these are the supplies you should gather before a major storm approaches:
Non-perishable food and water (enough to last at least three days)
Any required medications
Backup power sources
Flashlights (plus extra batteries)
Personal hygiene items
Copies of important documents (such as medical records, wills, identification, etc.)
A fire extinguisher
The state of Florida provides additional recommendations for what to include in your emergency kit:
A portable radio that runs on batteries
A waterproof case to protect your essential documents and money
A manual can opener
Matches or a lighter
Books, magazines, or entertainment games
Ice packs
Collect necessary items such as aspirin, extra supplies of regular medications for you and your family, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal care products. Think of it as packing for a vacation. Store them in a bag that your family can easily access. Be sure to review the kit at the start of each hurricane season—around mid-May—to ensure that any food, medicine, or specific items haven’t expired.
Also, consider purchasing a few extra portable chargers so that your phones and other devices don't run out of battery during an emergency. Ensure they are fully charged and stored securely in your kit.
Don’t forget your vehicle
Make sure to have a backup emergency kit in your car as well, and always keep your vehicle's gas tank sufficiently filled (this is a good habit to maintain at all times, not just before a storm).
If you don't own a vehicle, ensure that your emergency plan includes discussions with neighbors or family members who have one, to arrange whether you can evacuate with them if the need arises.
Your pets require special attention
Check in advance if any local shelters allow pets. If not, make arrangements for your animals before an emergency strikes. You may want to ask neighbors or friends if you and your pets can stay with them during a major storm. Be sure to keep some dry pet food in your emergency kit as well.
