It’s still too soon to know what path Tropical Storm Isaac will take, but it’s never too early to be prepared.
Many things must be taken into consideration before a storm hits including stocking up on supplies, keeping important documents in a safe and accessible location, protecting your home from damage, and preparing a safety plan for you and your family.
Your Collier County Sheriff’s Office offers these basic tips to help you prepare for Isaac and throughout the 2012 hurricane season:
Before the storm
Stock up on essential supplies and secure all important documents in an accessible location.
The CCSO and Naples Police Department have implemented the Smart911 database that allows citizens to create a secure safety profile of vital personal and household information, including medications, medical conditions and even photographs of each member of the household. Information about family pets can also be entered. The safety profile will be displayed to 911 call takers immediately when that citizen places an emergency call. This safety profile provides much richer information than is currently available on incoming calls and can contain the specific details that first responders need in order to save lives.
Smart911 is free and 100 percent private and secure. Safety profiles can be created through the Smart911 website at www.smart911.com.
In addition, visit www.floridadisaster.org to develop a family disaster plan that meets the specific needs of your family. Don’t forget to also develop a pet disaster plan by micro-chipping your pet, keeping current on vaccinations and determining how to keep your pet safe during the storm. Contact Collier County Domestic Animal Services at 239.252.PETS (7387) for more information.
Click here to watch a CCSO video on hurricane preparedness.
During the storm
Keep phone numbers of local emergency responders readily available. Collier County Emergency Management can be reached at 239.252.3600 for a wide variety of public concerns including shelter, weather updates and disaster recovery information. The Sheriff’s Office nonemergency hotline can also be reached at 239.252.9300. Only call 911 if you are faced with an immediate, life-threatening emergency.
If you choose to go to a shelter, bring any prescription medications, drinking water, snacks, bedding (ex: air mattress), entertainment items to help pass the time and at least one change of clothing. Follow local media reports about shelter openings.
The CCSO will provide updates throughout the storm through its web site, www.colliersheriff.org; its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/colliersheriff; and its Twitter account, www.twitter.com/colliersheriff. CCSO will also be sending out push notifications as necessary on its iPhone app, CCSO2go, which is free and available in the iTunes App Store.
After the storm
If you evacuate, make sure to bring along photo identification (ex: driver’s license) and proof of residency (ex: copy of a utility bill) in order to re-enter your home.
Before re-entering your home after evacuation, emergency responders will have to ensure it is safe to return. Please be patient as emergency responders must take debris, flooding and other hazards into consideration.
If your property has endured significant damage requiring repair, make sure to hire licensed contractors. Unlicensed persons may try to solicit business immediately following a storm and will often ask for payments up-front and perform little to no repair work. The Federal Trade Commission works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices. To file a complaint or learn more about contractor fraud, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
