Weather Awareness Guide for Daytona Beach
A hurricane’s high winds, storm surges and potential to prompt inland flooding can cause millions in damage. A few steps may help lessen the loss. Lower radio and television antennas Set the refrigerator on maximum cold Fill bathtubs and sinks with water; turn off main water to the house Store documents in a high place in waterproof containers Keep swimming pools filled to 12 inches below the edge; add additional chlorine Insert wedges in sliding patio doors to protect them from blowing into the house…
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has these tips for storing boats and other trailered watercraft during a storm: Park the boat/trailer in the garage or near a building. Fill boats no more than halfway with water to add weight. (Overfilling can damage the trailer.) Remove outboard motors (if possible). Let some air out of the trailer tires. Place blocks in front and back of the tires to prevent rolling. Lash the trailer down with heavy ropes or chains.
Keeping wind and water out is critical for your home’s survival in a hurricane. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, protective barriers help save your roof by preventing wind pressure from building up inside your home, reduce the chance of breaking glass and block wind-driven rain from soaking the home’s interior. Options range from impact-resistant windows and doors that look no different than standard windows and doors but provide significantly more protection from wind-borne debris, to permanently installed shutters, to removable…
Experts recommend assessing your home’s vulnerability to wind and water damage before hurricane season begins, and taking steps to reduce and insure against the risk. Have your roof inspected for loose shingles and other weaknesses and make necessary repairs.Make sure trees are well-trimmed.Check that all doors have secure hinges and deadbolts.If you have storm shutters, make sure they are in good working condition. If not, consider all your options for obtaining window protection this season. If you have an emergency generator, make sure it is…
Volusia and Flagler counties have programs to assist elderly, physically or mentally disabled, visually or hearing-impaired residents or others with hindered ability to evacuate or care for themselves in a shelter. Officials in both counties emphasize these programs work best if those who need help register in advance. Volusia County residents may download a Special Needs Shelter registration form here. If you prefer to have the form mailed you may request one by contacting: Volusia County Emergency Management, Attn: Special Needs, 49 Keyton Drive, Daytona…
The days and hours leading up to a possible hurricane strike are no time to be at the store buying necessities or scrambling to find important documents.Whether you hit the road or stay home during a storm threat, emergency management officials say you should have with you everything you’ll need to be self-sufficient for three, five or even seven days or more, possibly without basic utilities such as electricity and safe running water. Opinions vary on what specific supplies that means, but here are some…
A summer power outage is no picnic, especially in Florida. As many residents of Volusia and Flagler counties learned in 2004, the heat and humidity from a prolonged, hurricane-induced blackout can be unbearable. Another lessoned learned by those around during that summer and fall when four hurricanes hit Florida—three of them strongly affecting this area — is that generators are in short supply immediately following a hurricane. So now’s the time to evaluate your options for emergency power if you’re not already prepared on that…
It's Everyone's Challenge Emergency managers at all levels of government plan disaster response all year long, something they’d like to see most homeowners and businessesthink about as well, because, as many longtime Volusia and Flagler residents know, natural disasters aren’t confined to the official June 1- Nov. 30 hurricane season bracket. Tornadoes, sinkholes, brush fires, semitrailer explosions and train wrecks can occur at any time and prompt evacuation orders at a moment’s notice. But hurricanes receive the most preparation because of their ability to wreak…
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