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Hurricane Preparedness
Refugee and migrant families resettling in the Tampa Bay Area often have no previous experiences with hurricanes. Here at RAMWI, we offer hurricane preparedness training through our Women Empowerment and Leadership (WEL) Institute's Hurricane Emergency Action Response Training (HEART) Initiative. Training community members and leaders how to develop a disaster relief plan, respond to crisis and medical emergencies, hands-on CPR and stop-the-bleed skills, we are helping families be better prepared for the hurricane season. In addition to this, with the help of our donors, we equip refugee families with hurricane preparedness supplies like flashlights, first-aid kits, and non-perishable foods. Want to help? Shop for supplies on our Amazon Wishlist.
What is a hurricane?
Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms with strong winds (74+ mph), heavy rain, and storm surges (flooding from the ocean). Florida is especially vulnerable because it’s surrounded by warm ocean waters that fuel hurricanes.
When is hurricane season in Florida?
Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak from August to October.
What do the categories mean?
All hurricanes are dangerous and should be taken seriously. Scientists use categories to label hurricanes based on wind speed; The higher the category, the higher the wind speed which in turn can mean greater possibility for more serious damage.
Category 1 (74–95 mph): Minimal damage
Category 2 (96–110 mph): Moderate damage
Category 3 (111–129 mph): Major damage
Category 4 (130–156 mph): Severe damage
Category 5 (157+ mph): Catastrophic damage
How should I prepare for the hurricane season?
To prepare for hurricane season it is good to:
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Make a hurricane preparedness kit. Include water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, medications, important documents, power stations, and first-aid supplies, among other family specific needs.
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Make an emergency plan. Decide what you and your family will do in case of worsening weather conditions. Where will you evacuate to? What will you take with you? What will you do with pets? Having a plan can help reduce stress and increase safety for your family, especially if you get separated during a storm. Here is a sample Family Communication Plan you may use as a guide: https://www.floridadisaster.org/globalassets/family-communication-plan-1.pdf
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Find out your evacuation zone. Visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone/ to find out if your home is in an evacuation zone. If it is, make sure to follow evacuation instructions as relevant and look up nearby shelters that fit your family's needs.
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Secure your home. Depending on where you live, you may be able to board up windows or put up storm shutters, bring in any outdoor furniture, fix potential roof leaks and place sandbags on doorways to prevent water from entering the home.
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Stay up-to-date on the latest storm updates. Pay attention to local emergency alerts and National Hurricane Center updates.
What should I do during a hurricane?
During a hurricane it is important to stay inside away from windows and glass doors as much as possible, keep emergency supplies nearby, and remain informed by listening to weather reports.
