It's Hurricane Season!

If you live anywhere along Florida's Atlantic coast, you are probably well aware that the first major hurricane of the season is heading your way.  Here are some things to do to be prepared before the hurricane hits:

• Obliviously preparedness for a hurricane should have begun weeks ago, however if you are new to all of this, here are the basics of hurricane preparedness.
• If you are in the path of a hurricane, consider boarding up your windows (note that getting the supplies ready to do this should have been done a while back, as it is, hardware stores have been inundated by those who are unprepared which makes for material shortages if you are trying to find plywood now).
• Keep an eye on your local news.
• Also keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center's website for up-to-the-minute information.
• Break out your weather radio for news and advisories as well.
• If you have a HAM radio, this may be one of your main forms of communication once power and cell service goes out.
• Be sure to charge up your cell phones, laptops, battery banks, etc. before the power goes out.
• Check the website for your local Emergency Management department.
• Be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice should a mandatory evacuation order for your area be issued.
• Put together a Bug Out Bag NOW.  Just in case.
• Use social media to share and receive information about the hurricane (examples: Facebook, reddit, Twitter).
• The Florida Governor's office has issued the following statement with information about the hurricane.
• Google for your local hurricane evacuation resources and shelters.  Note that after a mandatory evacuation order is given, more information on evacuation bus service and shelter services will be given, usually through your local news or Emergency Management website/Facebook page.
• Be prepared to take care of yourself after a hurricane until emergency resources can be deployed (this can take hours or even days after a hurricane depending on road conditions and the severity of the storm).
• If you need emergency help (for a real medical emergency, not just calling to tell someone a hurricane hit) call 911 (if it isn't a life or death emergency, don't make calls so phone lines can be open for those who need them).  If phone calls won't go through, some 911 services have text capabilities.  If that doesn't work, call or text a family or friend in a different area and have them try to call for help for you (sometimes calls from out of the area can get through when local calls can't).
• If a hurricane hits your area, know how to clean up afterwards in a safe and efficient manner.
• After a hurricane, mark yourself safe on services such as Red Cross and Facebook so that even if your family can't contact you, they will know that you are OK.
• More info on Hurricane Dorian preparedness here, here, and here.