Jacksonville and Northeast Florida Brace for Hurricane Isaias

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

Hurricane Isaias packs winds of 80 mph as it moves through the Bahamas and toward the Florida Coast.

Source: FEMA

With Hurricane Isaias churning off the coast of Florida, it’s time for residents of Jacksonville, Oceanway, River City, Yulee, Fernandina Beach and other nearby towns to prepare. That means creating an emergency kit.

Having the proper supplies on hand is key to being prepared during this year’s hurricane season, which lasts through the end of November. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency-preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. 

At a minimum, you should have these basic supplies:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Flashlight.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible).
• Extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items.
• Multi-purpose tool, like a Swiss Army knife.
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies).
• Cell phone with charger.
• Family and emergency contact information.
• Extra cash (ATMs might be inoperable).
• Extra fuel for generator and car.

Depending on your family’s requirements, you may need to include: medical-care items, baby supplies, pet supplies and other things, such as extra car and house keys.

Additional supplies might include towels, plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors and work gloves. This year, you’ll also want to have plenty of facial masks and hand sanitizers for protection against the coronavirus.

Resources that offer additional information on putting together emergency kits are online at
https://www.ready.gov/ and http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/be-red-cross-ready/get-a-kit.