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Hurricane Season
The season is
June 1 through November 30. The peak of the season (most active time)
is roughly from August 15th until September 30th. Pre-planning is the key!
What To Do Before A Hurricane Threatens-
Getting ready- What to do if a Hurricane
WATCH is issued
 Stay tuned to local media for the latest alerts, warnings and
advisories.
Emergency Public Information Stations
Updated information on an emergency is as close as your television or radio,
thanks to agreements between Volusia County Government, WCEU-TV 15 public
television and radio stations WNDB-1150 AM, WNDA 1490 AM, WHOG 95.7 FM and WVYB
103.3 FM. broadcast public information and instructions from the County's
Emergency Operations Center.
Make
sure your car has gasoline.
Develop your own emergency plan.
It is recommended that you plan ahead and determine where
you will be most comfortable - whether it is at family or friends or a public
shelter.
Stock non-perishable food items and water for your family to
last one week. Once a watch is issued, these items disappear quickly from
store shelves.
Know
the storm surge history and elevation of your area.
Learn
safe routes inland...Know your evacuation zone and route.
Learn
location of official shelters
Review
needs and working condition of emergency equipment, such as flashlights,
battery-powered radios, etc.
Ensure
that enough non-perishable food and water supplies are on hand to last for at
least 2 weeks.
Make
sure medical prescriptions are filled and medicines are packed to go.
Obtain
and store materials, such as plywood and plastic, necessary to properly secure
your home.
Check
home for loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Keep
trees and shrubbery trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall or bump
against the house. When trimming, try to create a channel through the foliage to
the center of the tree to allow for air flow.
Determine
where to move your boat in an emergency.
Review
your insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage. Gather up
important papers, including identification.
Individuals
with special needs should contact their local office of emergency management.
The
Citizens Information Center provides emergency information. The latest
information on an emergency is available by calling the Volusia County Emergency
Management Services Citizen's Information Center (CIC) The Citizen's
Information center will provide a variety of information ranging from weather
conditions to shelter openings. During emergencies, operators will be
available to help callers with specific requests and concerns. The purpose
of the County's system is to provide the citizens of Volusia County with
information without typing up emergency telephone lines or causing citizens to
wait for information.
The CIC hotline numbers are:
Daytona Beach Area - (386)254-4658
DeLand/Deltona/West Volusia - (386)736-5902
New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater - (386)423-3358
TDD (Telecommunications for the deaf) - (386)254-1503
Hurricane Shelters List
and Map
What To Do When A Warning Is Issued
Monitor media reports
Move
garbage cans, awnings and other large outside objects into your house or garage
or anchor them securely.
Place
protective covering over windows and garage doors.
Garage
or store vehicles you leave behind.
Secure
boats or place inside a building.
Shut
off water, electricity and gas.
If
you have a swimming pool, cover the pump filter.
If
you live in a mobile home, check tie-downs and always get out immediately and go
to a safe place.
If You Stay
If you live in a mobile home, check the tie-downs and leave immediately.
Get away from low-lying beaches or other locations which may be
swept by high tides or storm waves. If passage to high ground is over a road
likely to be under water, leave early. Don't run the risk of being marooned. On
the coast, damage is from water, lots of it, and storm conditions may continue
for many hours.
Do you need to evacuate?
YES, if:
You live in a storm surge zone
You live in a low-lying or flood prone area
You live in a mobile or manufactured home
You require a respirator or other electronic-dependent medical equipment.
If you either live in a home or are in a hotel or motel on the
beachside.
However,
if you live in a sound structure and do not fall into one of these categories,
you can stay home.
If you decide to stay home:
Make sure your windows are
protected and your house is secure.
Check your disaster supply kit
Clean your tub and other
containers for drinking water storage (plan on 2-3 gallons per person per day).
Wait for the
"all-clear" before going outdoors
If you must evacuate:
Decide NOW where you will go.
Let friends or family know!
Plan on leaving EARLY if you
are going out of the County!
Stay with family or friends,
if possible.
Stay in a "Host
Home"
Stay in a hotel/motel that is
INLAND.
Stay in a public shelter.
REMEMBER, Shelters offer spartan
accommodations and should only be used as a last resort. Bring your own blankets
and pillows. Not all shelters will be open at once, you should
stay tuned to local news media for the latest information on which shelters will
be available.
Terms to Know
Tropical
Depression: Rotary circulation at surface, highest constant wind speed 38
miles per hour (33 knots).
Tropical Storm:
Distinct rotary circulation, constant wind speeds ranges 39-73 miles per hour
(64 knots).
Hurricane:
Pronounced rotary circulation, constant wind speed of 74 miles per hours (64
knots) or more.
Small Craft
Cautionary statements: When a tropical cyclone threatens a coastal area,
small craft operators are advised to remain in port or not to venture into the
open sea.
Gale Warnings:
may be issued when winds of 39-54 miles an hour (34-47 knots) are expected.
Storm Warnings:
may be issued when winds of 55-73 miles per hour (48-63 knots) are expected. If
a hurricane is expected to strike a coastal area, gale or storm warnings will
not usually precede hurricane warnings.
A Hurricane
Watch: is issued for coastal area when there is a threat of hurricane
conditions within 24-36 hours.
A Hurricane
Warning: is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specified
coastal area in 24 hours or less. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles
an hour (63 knots) and/ or dangerously high tides and waves. Actions for
protection of life and property should begin immediately when the warning is
issued.
Eye The
low pressure center of a tropical cyclone. Surrounded by the most intense area
of the storm and at a huge contrast inside the eye winds are normally calm and
sometimes the sky clears.
Eye wall
The ring of thunderstorms that surrounds a storm's eye. The heaviest rain,
strongest winds and worst turbulence are normally in the eye wall.
Storm Surge
The dome of water that builds up as a hurricane moves over water. As this water
comes ashore with the storm, it causes flooding that is usually a hurricane's
biggest killer.
Tornadoes spawned
by hurricanes sometimes produce severe damage and casualties. If a tornado is
reported in your area, a warning will be issued.
Flash Flood
Watch: means a flash flood is possible in the area; stay alert.
Hurricane Preparedness Guide
This is a complete preparedness guide
National Hurricane Center
Storm information and Hurricane awareness
guide
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