2015 Storm Guide Gainesville Sun

ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEEDFOR THE UPCOMING SEASON

A PUBLICATION OF THE GAINESVILLE SUN SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015

TRACKING GUIDE, PAGE 10 • IMPORTANT NUMBERS, PAGE 3 • DISASTER PLAN CHECKLIST, PAGE 5

(352) 334-2871to report power outages

and downed wires

(352) 334-2550for natural gasemergencies

MAKE A

PLANCHECK YOUR

SUPPLIESFOLLOW OFFICIAL

INSTRUCTIONSGet prepared at gru.com/stormcentral

and follow us on Twitterfor the latest outage updates.

@GRUStormCentral

STAY SAFE

at GRU STORM CENTRAL

2 | SUNDAY , MAY 31 , 2015 STORM GUIDE THE GAINESVILLE SUN | www.gainesville.com

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property damage of that $12 million, $7.4 million was roofing related.Don’t wait until it’s too late take action now and give us a call at352-327-7663 or visit our website at www.roofthishouse.com.

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When the StormHitsWe’ve Got You Covered.

5DISASTER PLAN CHECKLIST:

A listing of things you will need to weather a storm.

9YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS: Tips to protect family pets during storm

preparations

13PROTECTING YOUR HOME: Tips on protecting your home from storm damage.

14KNOW WHAT TO DO: Things to do

before, during and aft er a storm hits.

15STAY CONNECTED: Things to do to keep your cellphone alive aft er a storm and ways to fi nd service when yours is

disconnected.

16EAT WELL AFTER A STORM: Foods to stock in your pantry that will keep you

well fed aft er a hurricane hits.

17TREE TIPS: Chain-saw safety and ways to make your home safe from tree damage

and how to deal with damage aft er it occurs.

COVER DESIGN:Rob Mack, Photo from NOAA

GREG HAMILTONEditor

ROB MACKDesigner

INSIDE The Associated Press

Miami

Scientists are plan-ning to send more drones fl ying into hurricanes that de-

velop during the Atlantic storm season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-istration fi rst launched the 13-pound winged drones into Hurricane Edouard in September. This year, the unmanned aircraft have more sophisticated sensors that will allow them to fl y farther from the “hurricane hunter” aircraft that relay storm data to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

A spokeswoman for NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division tells the Sun Sentinel that one possible fl ight plan for the

“Coyote” drones this year would be to fi nd out how far the strongest winds stretch from a hurricane’s eye.

The drones can fl y into

the lowest levels of a hurricane where larger aircraft can’t go to measure barometric pressure, temperature and wind speeds.

Scientists plan to send in the drones

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joe Cione holds a drone at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationís Hurricane Research Division in Miami in 2014.

CLIP & SAVEIMPORTANT NUMBERSGAINESVILLE REGIONAL UTILITIES:

To report power outages or ■

downed lines, call 334-2871.Natural gas emergencies: 334- ■

2550Water/wastewater emergencies: ■

334-2711Customer service: 334-3434 ■

You also can follow GRU on ■

Twitter @GRUStormCentral and online at http://gru.com/Storm-Central.aspx

CLAY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE:To report a power outage or ■

downed lines, call 1-888-434-9844.

An outage map that is updated ■

every fi ve minutes is available at www.clayelectric.com/outagemap.aspx

DUKE ENERGY:To report a power outage or ■

downed line, call 800-228-8485.

RUMOR CONTROLIf warranted during a tropical ■

storm or other disaster, Alachua County will activate a rumor control line at 311.

ALACHUA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

264-6500

HELPFUL WEB SITES

Emergency Management

website: http://alachuacounty.

us/EmSvcs/Pages/

EmergencyServices.aspx.

Alachua County Emergency

Management’s Facebook

page: http://tinyurl.com/l9e6dlq,

and its Twitter page: https://

twitter.com/Alachua_Co_EM

Advisories also will be

posted at: http://tinyurl.com/

mr69f8n

National Weather Service:

http://weather.gov

www.gainesville.com | THE GAINESVILLE SUN STORM GUIDE SUNDAY , MAY 31 , 2015 | 3

El Nino could mean below average seasonBy Joe CallahanStaff writer

All eyes are on El Nino, a weather phenomenon that periodically stifl es tropical development across the Atlan-tic basin during

hurricane season.El Nino occurs when the

eastern Pacifi c Ocean is a few degrees warmer than normal near the equator, which causes strong winds aloft. Those winds move to the east across the Atlantic’s tropical basin, often sheering off cloud tops that hinder tropical development.

Most all weather agen-cies agree that 2015 will feature a moderate El Nino. In turn, all agencies are predicting a below average hurricane season, which begins Monday and ends Nov. 30.

The average hurricane season features 12 named storms, including six hurricanes — three of which are considered major, which means Category 3 or stronger.

The predictions of four weather agencies around the country predict seven to 10 named storms and three to six hurricanes, with one to two being major.

Dennis Feltgen, a Nation-al Hurricane Center spokesman, said Florida residents should not pay attention to those overall hurricane season out-looks. Residents should always prepare as if they know they are guaranteed to be hit.

Feltgen pointed to 1992, when El Nino throttled all tropical development well into August. Then, Hurricane Andrew — one of the strongest storms to ever hit the United States — slammed South Florida.

There were only a handful of storms that year.

He also pointed to 2010, when 12 hurricanes formed in the Atlantic, double the average of six, and none made landfall in the United States.

“Everyone needs to take a step back and realize the hurricane outlooks are useless,” Feltgen said. “I always prepare every year the same, as if I will get hit by a hurricane.”

Offi cials do fear that people are getting compla-cent, considering it has been a decade since Florida has been hit by a hurricane and 11 years since hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, both minimal

tropical storms by the time they passed over north-central Florida.

Until this stretch, the longest inactive period in Florida was fi ve years, from 1980-84. The last year Florida was affected by hurricanes was 2005, when four struck. The last hurricane to hit was Wilma in October 2005.

Al Sandrik, the National Weather Service warning coordination meteorolo-gist in Jacksonville, said people should always think in terms they will be hit by a hurricane.

Sandrik noted that just minimal tropical storms, with only winds of 45 mph, can topple thousands of

trees and knock power out. That’s what happened in 2004.

Hurricane experts with Colorado State University are calling for a below-normal hurricane season, predicting only seven named storms, three of which hurricanes.

The CSU outlook, headed by Dr. Phil Klotzbach in consultation with longtime hurricane expert Dr. William Gray, is based on a combination of 30 years of statistical predictors.

The Weather Channel predicts nine named storms, fi ve of them hurricanes, while Accu-weather predicts eight named storms, four of them hurricanes. Both agencies predict one major hurricane.

A Marion County hurricane forecast company predicts that while the total storms may be below average in 2015, Florida will be hit.

Ocala resident David Dilley says his high-tech computer modeling shows there are three hurricane hot zones in 2015.

Dilley owns and operates Global Weather Oscilla-tions Inc. He touts his computer model concept as a one-of-a-kind fore-casting tool that relies on weather cycles.

Last year, Dilley’s company predicted 13 named storms, with six hurricanes and two of those major storms. Though there were only eight named storms in 2014, Dilley’s computers were correct in predicting the number of hurricanes and major storms.

Dilley doesn’t release specifi c details, such as detailed landfalls. That’s because he sells the predictions to businesses, such as insurance compa-

nies. He did say that his computers are showing that Florida is a hot spot for a hurricane landfall.

Dilley said he expects the El Nino to fade by early August and then the season will heat up.

“The 2015 season will likely begin slowly with a few tropical storms and possible a hurricane, and then become quite active from mid-August into October,” he noted in his report.

Dilley’s company is predicting three named storms, two being very strong tropical storms, will make landfall in the United States in 2015.

Dave Donnelly, Alachua County’s emergency management director, said Australian weather offi cials predict a strong El Nino, which could be bad news in terms of excessive rain and fl ooding.

He said in 1997-98, a

strong El Nino helped to break area rainfall records in later summer. There was near-record fl ooding along the Withla-coochee River in March 1998, followed by extreme drought and record wildfi res that struck the state.

Donnelly noted that 1992 was a very slow year: seven named storms, fi ve hurricanes — one of which was Hurricane Andrew.

Lt. Chip Wildy, Marion’s emergency management director, recently told several government offi cials that his agency, as well as all residents, “need to be prepared and ready to go.”

The National Hurricane Center’s forecast was scheduled to be released on May 27, after the print deadline for this Storm Guide.

2015 Atlantic hurricane season predictionsEach year, noted experts have a go at predicting what the

hurricane season will bring. And every year, the Star-Banner takes a look back to see how well they did.

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY•2015 prediction: Seven named storms, three hurri-

canes, one major.How it did last year: Predicted nine named storms

(there were eight), three hurricanes (there were six) and one major hurricane (there were two.)

THE WEATHER CHANNEL2015 prediction: Nine named storms, fi ve hurricanes,

one major.How it did last year: Predicted 11 named storms (there

were eight), fi ve hurricanes (there were six) and two major (correct.)

WEATHERBELL ANALYTICS2015 prediction: Seven to nine named storms, three to

fi ve hurricanes, one to two major.How it did last year: Predicted eight to 10 named

storms (there were eight), three to fi ve hurricanes (there were six) and one to two major (there were two.)

GLOBAL WEATHER OSCILLATIONS (BASED IN MARION COUNTY)•2015 prediction: Ten named storms, six hurricanes,

two major.How it did last year: Predicted 13 named storms (there

were eight), six hurricanes (there were six), and two major (correct.)

NASA

A photo by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station in early July 2014 of Tropical Storm Arthur forming off the Florida coast.


THE DISASTER PLAN CHECKLIST

THE CHECKLIST

❏ General fl ashlights and/or lantern with extra batteries. Candles are not recommended because they can pose a fi re hazard if left unattended.

❏ A corded, landline telephone. Cordless telephones do not work without power.

❏ Extra, charged cellphone battery and/or car charger for cellphone.

❏ Radio, and/or weather radio (NOAA radio) with extra batteries.

❏ Camera and fi lm; extra batteries (if you don’t have a cell phone or digital camera) to take photographs of damage for insurance purposes.

❏ Fire extinguisher.

❏ Sterno fuel and unit; charcoal and lighter or propane for gas grill.

❏ Tools: Keep a set with you during the storm. A pocketknife, nails, saw, a hammer, an ax and rope are important. Towels and buckets are useful if you develop a leak.

CLOTHING, BEDDING❏ One blanket and/or sleeping bag per person, stored in a watertight container.

❏ One change of clothes and shoes per person, stored in a watertight container.

❏ Rain gear, heavy/sturdy boots or shoes; work gloves, and hat or cap to wear in sun.

MEDICAL, PERSONAL HYGIENE❏ First aid kit and manuals.

❏ Sunscreen and insect repellent.

❏ Bleach, for demolding.

❏ Medications and specifi c medical information.

FOOD, WATER, SUPPLIES❏ Drinking water. One gallon per person per day. A three-day supply is recommended. (Replace stored water every six months.)

❏ Special infant needs such as diapers, bottles of formula and food.

❏ Pantry well stocked: canned goods, dry milk, dry cereals, powered drinks, pastas.

❏ Non-electric can opener, plastic utensils, disposable plates, garbage bags.

❏ Extra ice in freezer, when storm is approaching.

OTHER NEEDS❏ Car tanked fi lled with gasoline.

❏ Flat fi xer for tires, properly infl ated spare tire.

❏ Air horn or whistle (to call for help).

❏ Fill tub and large containers with water for fl ushing toilet if water supply stops.

❏ Pets inside or otherwise protected, an ample supply of pet food.

❏ Make sure loose outside objects are stored or secured.

❏ Tree branches tied or cut.

❏ Inventory of personal belongings for insurance claims: A written list and proof of purchase (receipts, warranties) for expensive

items. Supplement with photographs or video and keep with important documents in a secure location (safe-deposit box, workplace or out-of-state relative).

BRING TOA SHELTER❏ Prescription medicines

❏ Baby food and diapers

❏ Cards, games, books, toys

❏ Toiletries

❏ Battery-powered radio

❏ Flashlight (one per person)

❏ Extra batteries

❏ Blankets or sleeping bags

❏ Identifi cation

❏ Valuable papers (insurance)

❏ Cash (with some small bills) and credit cards. Banks and ATMs might not be available for extended periods.

POST-STORM CLEANUP❏ Duct tape

❏ Bleach

❏ Tarp to temporarily cover damaged areas

❏ Water purifi cation tablets

SOURCES: National Hurricane Center, American Red Cross

Post emergency ■

telephone numbers by the phone.

Install safety ■

features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fi re extinguishers.

Inspect your home ■

for potential hazards (items that can move, fall, break or catch fi re) and correct them.

Have your family ■

learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and fi rst aid; how to use a fi re extinguisher; and how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity in your home.

Teach children how ■

and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number.

Pick two places ■

to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your “family check-in contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated.

Keep important ■

documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

Keep enough ■

supplies in your home for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit (as listed). Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffl e bags.

FILE PHOTO

Amber Perkins pumps gas at the Kangaroo on the corner of 13th Street and West University Avenue.


A hurricane is on the way, where can you go?Shelters for the general population

or those with special needs during a hurricane or other natural disaster. Shelter openings will be announced based on the severity and potential damage of a storm.

ALACHUA — 264-6500Rawlings Elementary School ■

(Special needs), 3500 NE 15th St., Gainesville

Westwood Middle School (Spe- ■

cial needs), 3215 NW 15th Ave., Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Spe- ■

cial needs), 5510 NW 27th Ave., Gainesville

Alachua Elementary School (Special ■

needs), 13800 NW 152nd Place, Alachua

Talbot Elementary School, 5701 NW ■

43th St., GainesvilleWilliams Elementary School, 1245 ■

SE Seventh Ave., GainesvilleShell Elementary School, 21633 SE ■

65th Ave., HawthorneArcher Community School, 14533 ■

SW 170th St., ArcherEastside High School, 1201 SE 45th ■

Terrace, GainesvilleKanapaha Middle School, 5005 SW ■

75th St., GainesvilleOak View Middle School, 1203 SW ■

250th St., NewberryWaldo Community School, 14450 ■

NE 148th Place, WaldoHigh Springs Comm. School, 1015 ■

N. Main, High SpringsSanta Fe High School, 16213 NW ■

U.S. Highway 441, AlachuaMeadowbrook Elementary School, ■

11525 NW 39th Ave., GainesvilleNewberry Archery Center, 24880 ■

NW 16th Ave., NewberryGainesville Senior Recreation Cen- ■

ter, 5701 NW 34th St., Gainesville

BRADFORD —904-966-6336Bradford High School, 581 N. ■

Temple Ave., StarkeBradford Middle School, 527 N. ■

Orange St., StarkeStarke Elementary School (Special ■

needs, general population and pet shelter), 1000 Weldon St., Bldg. 4, Starke

Lawtey Community School, North ■

Park Street and U.S. 301, LawteyBrooker Elementary School, 18551 ■

Charlotte Ave. (SR 18), BrookerHampton Elementary School, SR ■

221 and CR 18, HamptonReception and Medical Center (Sex ■

offender shelter), 7765 S. CR 231, Lake Butler

CLAY — 904-284-7703Keystone Heights High School (Pet- ■

friendly shelter), 900 SW Orchid Ave., Keystone Heights

McRae Elementary, 6770 County ■

Road 315, Keystone Heights

COLUMBIA — 386-786-1125Westside Elementary School (Risk ■

shelter), 1956 SW County Road 252B, Lake City

Fort White High School (Risk ■

shelter), 17828 SW State Road 47, Fort White

Mason City Community Center, U.S. ■

41 South, Lake CityFort White Elementary School, ■

18119 SW State Road 47, Fort WhiteLake City Middle School, 843 SW ■

Arlington Blvd., Lake CityColumbia High School, 469 SE ■

Fighting Tiger Drive, Lake CitySummers Elementary School, 1388 ■

SW McFarlane Ave., Lake CityFive Points Elementary School, 3093 ■

NW Johnson St., Lake CityMelrose Elementary School, 820 SE ■

Putnam St., Lake CityColumbia City Elementary School, ■

7438 SW State Road 47, Lake CityRichardson Recreation Center, 255 ■

NE Coach Anders Lane, Lake CityNiblack Middle School, 837 NE ■

Broadway St., Lake CityLulu Community Center, 205 SE ■

Community Drive, Lake CityRichardson Middle School, 649 SE ■

Pennsylvania St., Lake CityFort White Community Center, ■

17579 SW State Road 47, Fort WhiteWinfi eld Community Center, 1324 ■

NW Winfi eld St., Lake CitySpringfi eld Community Center, NW ■

Suwannee Valley Road, Lake CityDeep Creek Community Center, ■

11934 N. U.S. 41, Lake City

DIXIE — 498-1240, EXT. 7Ruth Rains Middle School, 981 SW ■

CR 351, Cross CityAnderson Elementary, 815 SW CR ■

351, Cross CityBell High School, (Special needs ■

and general population), 930 S. Main St., Bell

GILCHRIST — 386-935-5400Trenton Elementary School, 1350 ■

SW SR 26, TrentonBell Elementary School, 2771 E. Bell ■

Ave., BellHealth Academy at Bell High (Spe- ■

cial needs), 930 S. Main St., Bell

LEVY — 486-5213Bronson Elementary School (Special ■

needs), SR 24, Bronson

Chiefl and Elementary School, 1205 ■

NW Fourth Ave., Chiefl andWilliston Elementary School, 801 S. ■

Main St., WillistonBronson High School (Secondary ■

shelter), 1 Eagle Drive, BronsonWilliston High School (Secondary ■

shelter), 427 W. Noble Ave., WillistonChiefl and Middle School (Second- ■

ary shelter), 811 NW Fourth Drive, Chiefl and

PUTNAM — 386-329-0379Ochwilla Elementary School (Red ■

Cross and pet friendly), 229 N. SR 21, Hawthorne

Q.I. Roberts Middle School ■

(American Red Cross), 901 SR 100, Florahome

Interlachen Elementary School ■

(American Red Cross), 251 S. SR 315, Interlachen

Jenkins Middle School (Last resort ■

shelter), 1100 N. 19th St., PalatkaPalatka High School (Last resort ■

shelter), 302 Mellon Road, Palatka

SUWANNEE —386-364-3405In an emergency, call the number ■

above or 386-362-2222.

UNION — 386-496-4300Union County High School (Special ■

needs), 1000 S. Lake Ave., Lake Butler

Weather in Florida changes not so much day to day but season to

season and hour to hour. The prime exception is big weather — tropical storms — and we are heading into that season. It is time to get prepared.

The Gainesville Sun and The Star-Banner have a disaster response plan that covers not just how we’ll deploy reporters and photographers to cover a major storm, but also how we’ll manage to publish their work if utility services are compromised or some roads are impassible.

It has been a while since we had to pull that plan off the shelf and put it in mo-tion, but we’re ready.

One of the first things we will do is remove any restriction from our web-sites so you can fi nd news and information related to an approaching tropical system.

We want our readers to have easy access to news that can help them respond appropriately.

So, l imitat ions that normally exist for non-subscribers to our web-sites will be suspended until well after the crisis passes.

Fortunate-ly, we have two systems working nearly in parallel in Ocala and Gainesville. The Sun and the Sta r-Banner operate in tandem each day.

We can easily shift staff from one facility to another, if need be. We have printing presses operating in both cities, and we share many other resources.

In addition to that, we are part of GateHouse Media, with news operations in

more than a dozen cities in Florida, scores of newspa-pers across the nation and a robust design center in Austin, Texas.

Plenty of help is at hand. We also would like to call on you.

If tropical weather is ap-proaching, we need help from the public in tell-ing this story fully. We need photos, video, up-to-moment details on where roads and bridges are fl ooded, and other details that can potentially save lives.

We will be using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to gather and

distribute submissions from the public. We invite you to join our Facebook page and follow us on Twit-ter. On Twitter, you can fi nd us all at @Gainesville-Sun/sun-reporters and @OcalaStarBanner/staff.

In the event of severe weather or a similar wide-spread news event, we will publish our contact infor-mation prominently in print and online.

I was working as editor of the newspaper in Tusca-loosa, Alabama, on April 27, 2011, when an F5 tor-nado devastated the city.It remains one of the most terrible days of my life,

but also one of the most uplifting.

The way the communi-ty came together to care for one another was truly remarkable.

While I pray that we never experience such a disaster here, I am confident we would see the same sort of support from fi rst respond-ers, public offi cials, busi-nesses and institutions, and the public in general.

The staff is ready to do its part as well.

Doug Ray is the executive editor of The Gainesville Sun and Ocala Star-Banner.

DOUG RAY

If disaster strikes, The Sun is ready to keep residents informed


Four ‘pillars of preparation’ for storm seasonBy Mickie AndersonStaff writer

A hurricane’s on the way, and it’s strongly suggest-ed you evacuate your home.

Where would you go? How will you get there?

Specifi cally, what’s your route?

If you drive out to Interstate 75 with every-one else, chances are it’ll be more like a parking lot than an escape route.

So besides knowing where you’re going to go (a Plan A and a Plan B), you need to have a good way to get there.

Preparing for the worst emergencies is serious business, says Dave Donnelly, Alachua County’s emergency management director, and if you don’t work out a plan now, you’ll be caught fumbling for things when it counts. Donnelly suggests four “pillars of preparation” for residents to consider.

His fi rst: Make a plan. With the June 1 start of hurricane season just days away, this is the best time to prepare.

In a true disaster, nearly everything shuts down, at least temporarily. Things on the fritz might include air-conditioning, your refrigerator, grocery stores, clean water from the tap, schools and pharmacies, among others.

And while help will come, it may take several days or weeks for it to happen. Which is why having a plan and being prepared is so critical, Donnelly says.

Here are a few things to ponder as you prepare:

Do you or your family members have special

needs? That means anyone with a chronic health condition, or someone for whom being without air-conditioning or refrigerated medicine could push that condition downhill fairly rapidly. County health offi cials need to know about these folks ahead of time, in case they need to help with transportation.

Do you have a pet? Even those who make a plan for their family often forget about their animal charges. If you know you’re evacuating to a rela-tive’s home, make sure they can accommodate your pet, too. If your

backup plan is a hotel, make sure it’s pet-friendly, and call to reserve your room right away — and have maps and driving directions already printed and kept handy.

Part of making a plan includes preparing your home for a storm’s impact. Pool furniture needs to be stored, tree branches trimmed and windows protected.

Next, Donnelly urges, make a kit.

Donnelly says your hurricane kit needs to include at least fi ve days’ worth of water. Suggested drinking rations are one gallon per person, per day,

and a clean bathtub fi lled with water for other needs, including hygiene and cooking. Your pet will need water, too.

You need a fi ve-day food supply, made up of shelf-stable items you can actually get into and will actually eat. Again, don’t forget a supply of pet food.

Your most important records, including insur-ance papers, home deeds, birth certifi cates and the like, need to be kept in a plastic bag and in a safe place. You need medicine, eyeglasses, contacts, a toothbrush and toothpaste, fi rst-aid supplies and any other vital hygiene-related

items handy. “Shelters are lifeboats,

not love boats,” Donnelly says, so it’s up to you to have what you need when you turn up at one. The shelter may have some supplies, but it won’t have everything.

So, you’ve mulled the possibilities and made yourself an emergency plan.

Be informed. Residents can sign up for all manner of updates, including emails, phone calls and texts.

Residents with hearing issues can sign up for weather alerts and other emergency messages by calling the county’s emergency management offi ce at 352-264-6500 or going to www.alachua.deafl ink.com and clicking on “register.”

An old fashioned weather radio can be an invaluable tool, Donnelly said, and gives the most offi cial reports as quickly as the information is available. If you don’t have the hand-crank kind, be sure you have a good supply of batteries.

Be sure to follow break-ing news and storm developments on Gainesville.com and @Gainesville Sun on

Twitter, where local and state offi cials will provide the latest updates.

The fi nal pillar of Donnelly’s preparation doctrine: Be involved.

This one’s not manda-tory, but if you’re interest-ed in helping other people, emergency offi cials welcome the help.

The Community Emer-gency Response (CERT) Team is made up of people who’ve taken a seven-week, 2.5-hour course in search and rescue tech-niques and fi rst aid. CERT team members hold the line until emergency professionals reach an area, Donnelly said.

There are 434 active CERT members in Alachua County, he said, and there’s always a need for more.

The Fire Corps is a similar group that uses residents’ specifi c skills to plug them into a volunteer spot where they can be most helpful during an emergency, Donnelly said.

Some volunteers who’ve undergone CERT training have gone on to careers in the emergency services fi eld, such as paramedics and nursing, he said.

Residents can apply online to join the county’s Fire Corps team.

Resources to helpMake a basic disaster kit: http://www.ready.gov/kitList of local shelters: (note: not every shelter is open

for every emergency) shelters.alachuacounty.usSign up for tailor-made text, phone and/or email

emergency updates: codered.alachuacounty.usAlachua County Fire Corps application: http://bit.

ly/1cpOXdGCERT application: http://bit.ly/1H9UtM7Let county offi cials know ahead of time if you

might have transportation or shelter needs due to any kind of disability: Call to request a registration form as soon as possible: 352-264-6500

ERICA BROUGH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Veteran Service Offi cer Olajuwon White, center, undergoes hurricane shelter preparation scenarios with volunteer “shelter resident” Linda Danver, left, who is acting out the needs of a diabetic with limited supplies of insulin during a 2015 Hurricane Season multi-phase exercise conducted by Alachua County offi cials at the Gainesville Senior Recreation Center in Gainesville on April 30.


Call for an Evaluation. 352-367-0017or visit our website Gatortreeserviceinc.com

Gator Tree ServiceAnthony Dobosiewicz ISA Certified Arborist FL-1194-AAlex Dobosiewicz ISA Certified Arborist FL-6316A

Tree Preservation andMaintenance Services

People who maintain their trees have less problems.

Special needs? Contact county nowBy Monivette CordeiroStaff writer

With hurricane season ap-proaching, those with special needs or who care for someone in such con-

ditions need to be think-ing of evacuation plans.

This also can include people receiving treat-ment for conditions such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and cancer. Residents with special needs also can be those who are paralyzed, bedridden, frail, depen-dent on electricity or oxygen, or have respira-tory problems, seizures,

sores, visual and hearing problems, according to the website.

People who are elderly or use a wheelchair also may qualify.

But Alachua County residents should register early, not the day before a storm hits, said Dave Donnelly, Alachua County Emergency Management director.

“My biggest thing is now is the time to prepare,” he said. “We get dozens of people signing up for the registry when we’re trying to focus on the storm.”

In addition to having special needs, residents who are eligible include those who have transpor-tation problems, unsafe housing, shelter issues and

live alone or with another person with special needs, the website said.

Residents who are not eligible include people who have severe or advanced conditions and require hospital care. People who reside in assisted living facilities are also not eligible because those facilities usually have their own emergency plans, accord-ing to the website.

If you would like to be on the registry, you can download a form online or request one from the emergency management offi ce, Donnelly said.

People can call Alachua County Emergency Management at 264-6500 and request a registration

form, or download it at specialneeds.alachua-county.us. When you have completely fi lled out the form, mail it to P.O. Box 548, Gainesville, FL 32602.

Donnelly added that if you do go to a special needs shelter, you need to bring your medications and medical supplies, important papers, person-al items, comfort items, extra clothing, special dietary foods and enter-tainment items. It’s also good to bring a fl ashlight, batteries and a battery-powered radio, he said.

Donnelly also recom-mends that all residents and businesses should know what he calls the four pillars of prepared-ness.

People should have an emergency plan and know what shelter they have to go to in case of an emer-gency.

They also should create an emergency kit that

includes a fi rst aid kit and food and water to last fi ve days. The kit should include meals that take little preparation, like canned goods, and one gallon of water per day for each person, he said.

People also should be informed and know where they can get information before, during and after a disaster. Check the Alachua County Emergen-cy Management website often, follow the offi ce on social media or call 264-6557, he said.

Finally, Donnelly recommends that people learn basic fi rst aid and emergency response techniques at the class ses-sions the offi ce offers.

“Know what you’re going to do,” he said. “You will be more comfortable if you practice your plan and let family members know it well, as opposed to waiting to the last minute to do it.”

FILE PHOTO

A special needs shelter at Buchholtz High School whcih opened to shelter residents during Hurricane Jeanne in 2004.

What to doIf you would like to

register with Alachua County as a special needs evacuee, contact Alachua County Emergency Man-agement at 264-6500 and request a registration form or download it at specialneeds.alachuacounty.us. When you have com-pleted the form, mail it to P.O. Box 548, Gainesville, FL 32602.Alachua County

provides free emergency evacuation for people with special needs listed on a county registry. People who should register on the list include those who have limit-ing physical or mental conditions and need daily assistance by a caregiver for personal and medical care.


STORM GUIDESERVICE DIRECTORY

A CARING CARPENTER’SHandyman Service

• Carpentry

• Remodeling

• Additions

• Home

Improvements

• Renovations

• Restorations

• Maintenance

• Repairs

• Kitchens

• Decks

• Laminates

• Tile

• Painting

• Cabinetry

• Custom Furniture

• Rot & Termite

Damage

Paul HeaphyTroubleshooting Mobile 359-5293

Latalyia D McKnightAllstate Exclusive Agent4004 N.W 13th StGainesville, FL, 32609Phone [email protected]

Auto Insurance • Renters • Homeowners • Life Insurance • Retirement

Make Strong InsurancePart of Your Strong Wind Prep

Don’t forget about your pets during storm preparationsStaff report

If you are a pet owner, your emergency plan needs to take the animals into ac-count. Some guidance:

SURVIVAL KIT FOR PETS Pet carrier ■

Three-day supply of food ■

and water First aid kit ■

Special medications ■

Vet records ■

Proof of rabies vaccination ■

Spare leash and collar ■

Familiar toys and/or ■

blanket to reduce stress Pet sanitary items (litter, ■

collection bags, paper towels) Current photo of you and ■

your pet, and also a descrip-tion of pet (for use in case pet is lost during storm).

TIPS FROM FEMA Identify a shelter: Not all ■

shelters take pets. Check in advance which ■

motels and hotels in the area allow pets. Go to gopetfriend-ly.com.

Identify vets/veterinary ■

hospitals in cities where you might seek shelter.

Tags: Pet ID tags should be ■

current and securely fastened

to collar. Consider microchip-ping.

During a disaster: Bring ■

pets inside; have newspapers for sanitary purposes; feed the animals moist or canned food so they will need less water to drink; separate dogs and cats.

After a disaster: Take pets ■

along if you leave town; leash pets when outside as familiar scents and landmarks may be altered, leading to confusion; be mindful of changes in pet behavior brought on by anxiety. FILE PHOTO

An evacuee waits outside a shelter at Santa Fe Community College’s gymnasium Wednesday for permission to enter with her dog Tico after evacuating from Palm Bay due to Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

SOURCE: FEMA

Storm surges1 2

A storm surge can be the greatest threat to life and property along the immediate coast. The biggest danger comes when water is at the high tide line.

low coastal area

A low pressure storm system allows high waves of water to form. Height can vary from 5 feet in a Category 1 storm to over 18 feet in a Category 5.

high tide line

A look at one of the most destructive aspects of a hurricane:

AP

A storm surge is an abnormal increase in the ocean’s level, often 50 to 100 miles wide that sweeps across the coastline where a hurricane makes landfall.

3 4

As the storm moves inland the water is pulled ashore.

The water surge erodes beaches and destroys property.

Hurricane Hugo in 1989 generated a 20-foot surge in South Carolina.

Hurricane Camille in 1969 produced a 25-foot storm surge in Mississippi.

Think about travel insurance during hurricane season Staff report

Bad weather is always a concern — even when we are thinking about vacation.

Hurricanes/bad weather are the top reason people buy travel insurance for trips planned during the summer months, according to a new poll from InsureMyTrip.com, a comparison site that helps consumers fi nd the right insurance provider.

The poll queried licensed travel insurance agents and asked them the top reasons clients cited for buying insurance.

After weather, the top reasons were concerns about coverage for a vacation rental and possible health problems, according to a news release about the study.

InsureMyTrip suggests that people worried about hurricanes buy their insurance early.

“Once a storm starts forming, it is considered a forseeable event and insurance coverage will no longer be available to cover losses related to that storm.”


■ TROPICAL DISTURBANCE: First stage of unstable weather that may develop into a hurricane.■ TROPICAL DEPRESSION: The tropical activity has a low-pressure area that could become a hurricane. Highest wind speed is 38 mph.■ TROPICAL STORM: Wind speeds of 39-73 mph. Low-pressure area is well-defined by rotating circulation.■ TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that a tropical storm poses a threat within 36 hours.■ TROPICAL STORM WARNING: Tropical storm is expected within 24 hours.■ HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that a hurricane is expected within 36 hours.■ HURRICANE WARNING: A hurricane is expected within 24 hours. Because of the erratic nature of hurricanes, the warning could come only a few hours before.

Tropical weather terms

WebsitesHere is a list of websites that track the progress of approaching hurricanes:

The National Weather Service: nws.noaa.gov

The National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency: fema.gov

The Weather Channel: weather.com

Florida Forecast: floridaforecast.com

Accuweather: accuweather.com

Hurricane myths

FACT: Surge of high water asstorm reaches land is caused bywinds pushing ocean surfaceahead of the storm.

MYTH:Low pressurein storm’s eyecauses stormsurge.

FACT: Friction decreasessustained winds but increasesgusts. Storm weakens becauseit lacks moisture and heatthat ocean provided.

MYTH:Friction overland killsthe storm.

FACT: Size and intensity areindependent. Hurricane Andrew,for example, was very intensebut relatively small.

MYTH:Big hurricanesare intensehurricanes.

FACT: All doors andwindows should be shut. Thedifference between pressureinside the house and outsidein the storm is not enoughto cause an explosion.No house is airtight.

MYTH:Windows,doors shouldbe closed onthe storm side,open on theopposite side.


Some common misconceptions about thephysics of hurricanes:








SOURCES: National Hurricane Center, The Audubon SocietyField Guide to North American Weather; research by PAT CARR

The eye of a storm

Thick cloud walls thatcan reach 7 miles to9 miles in heightsurround center

Absorb huge amountsof moisture from ocean,causing heaviest rainfall

Winds here move in counter-clockwisedirection with great speed; combined with low pressure can raise ocean surfaceby 23 ft. to 40 ft.

Eye

Eyewall

AP

Any storm of Category 3 or more is considered major.

Moderate96-110 mph winds

Extensive111-129 mph winds

Extreme130-156 mph winds

CatastrophicWinds over 157 mph

Minimal74-95 mph winds

Hurricane strengths

CATEGORY 1

CATEGORY 2

CATEGORY 3

CATEGORY 4

CATEGORY 5

Storm surge:4-5 ft.

Storm surge:6-8 ft.

Storm surge:9-12 ft.


Storm surge:18+ ft.

CARIBBEAN SEA

ATLANTICOCEAN

GULFOF

MEXICO

10˚

20˚

30˚

VENEZUELACOLOMBIA

COSTARICA

NICARAGUA

HONDURAS

ELSALVADOR

GUATEMALA

BELIZE

YUCATANPENINSULA

MEXICO

CUBA

JAMAICA

HAITI DOMINICANREPUBLIC

PUERTORICO

BAHAMAS

Texas

Arkansas

Louisiana

Mississippi

Alabama Georgia

Tennessee

SouthCarolina

NorthCarolina

Florida

15˚

25˚

Wilmington

Jacksonville

Cape Canaveral

Miami

Tampa

Savannah

Charleston

CedarKey

Ocala

ExampleRead west to 63° West

Read north to 34° North

ocala.com/hurricane

0˚ 10˚0˚ 20˚˚0˚

MILES

90˚ 80˚ 70˚ 60˚95˚ 85˚ 75˚ 65˚

Once a storm has caused greatdamage, its name is retired.

Retired names

Carol, Hazel, EdnaJanet, Connie, Diane, IoneAudreyDonnaCarlaFloraCleo, Dora, HildaBetsyBeulahCamilleCeliaAgnesCarmenEloiseAnitaDavid, FredericAllenAliciaElena, GloriaGilbertHugoBobAndrewLuis, Marilyn, Opal, RoxanneCesar, Fran, HortenseGeorges, MitchFloyd, LennyKeithAllison, Iris, MichelleIsidore, LilliFabian, Isabel, JuanCharley, Frances, Ivan, JeanneDennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan, WilmaDean, Felix, NoelGustav, Ike, PalomaIgor, TomasIreneSandyIngrid

195419551957196019611963196419651967196919701972197419751977197919801983198519881989199119921995199619981999200020012002200320042005200720082010201120122013

HURRICANE TRACKING MAPImportant local information, radar, updatedforecasts and this tracking map available at

Map and Graphics by ROB MACK/Staff artist;SOURCE: National Weather Service

2015 Atlantic namesAnaBillClaudetteDannyErikaFredGraceHenriIdaJoaquin

KateLarryMindyNicholasOdettePeterRoseSamTeresaVictorWanda


| 10 www.gainesville.com | THE GAINESVILLE SUN STORM GUIDE SUNDAY , MAY 31 , 2015 | 11

■ TROPICAL DISTURBANCE: First stage of unstable weather that may develop into a hurricane.■ TROPICAL DEPRESSION: The tropical activity has a low-pressure area that could become a hurricane. Highest wind speed is 38 mph.■ TROPICAL STORM: Wind speeds of 39-73 mph. Low-pressure area is well-defined by rotating circulation.■ TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that a tropical storm poses a threat within 36 hours.■ TROPICAL STORM WARNING: Tropical storm is expected within 24 hours.■ HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that a hurricane is expected within 36 hours.■ HURRICANE WARNING: A hurricane is expected within 24 hours. Because of the erratic nature of hurricanes, the warning could come only a few hours before.

Tropical weather terms

WebsitesHere is a list of websites that track the progress of approaching hurricanes:

The National Weather Service: nws.noaa.gov

The National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency: fema.gov

The Weather Channel: weather.com

Florida Forecast: floridaforecast.com

Accuweather: accuweather.com

Hurricane myths










Some common misconceptions about thephysics of hurricanes:








SOURCES: National Hurricane Center, The Audubon SocietyField Guide to North American Weather; research by PAT CARR

The eye of a storm

Thick cloud walls thatcan reach 7 miles to9 miles in heightsurround center

Absorb huge amountsof moisture from ocean,causing heaviest rainfall

Winds here move in counter-clockwisedirection with great speed; combined with low pressure can raise ocean surfaceby 23 ft. to 40 ft.

Eye

Eyewall

AP

Any storm of Category 3 or more is considered major.

Moderate96-110 mph winds

Extensive111-129 mph winds

Extreme130-156 mph winds

CatastrophicWinds over 157 mph

Minimal74-95 mph winds

Hurricane strengths

CATEGORY 1

CATEGORY 2

CATEGORY 3

CATEGORY 4

CATEGORY 5

Storm surge:4-5 ft.

Storm surge:6-8 ft.



Storm surge:18+ ft.

CARIBBEAN SEA

ATLANTICOCEAN

GULFOF

MEXICO

10˚

20˚

30˚

VENEZUELACOLOMBIA

COSTARICA

NICARAGUA

HONDURAS

ELSALVADOR

GUATEMALA

BELIZE

YUCATANPENINSULA

MEXICO

CUBA

JAMAICA

HAITI DOMINICANREPUBLIC

PUERTORICO

BAHAMAS

Texas

Arkansas

Louisiana

Mississippi

Alabama Georgia

Tennessee

SouthCarolina

NorthCarolina

Florida

15˚

25˚

Wilmington

Jacksonville

Cape Canaveral

Miami

Tampa

Savannah

Charleston

CedarKey

Ocala

ExampleRead west to 63° West

Read north to 34° North

ocala.com/hurricane

0˚ 10˚0˚ 20˚˚0˚

MILES

90˚ 80˚ 70˚ 60˚95˚ 85˚ 75˚ 65˚

Once a storm has caused greatdamage, its name is retired.

Retired names

Carol, Hazel, EdnaJanet, Connie, Diane, IoneAudreyDonnaCarlaFloraCleo, Dora, HildaBetsyBeulahCamilleCeliaAgnesCarmenEloiseAnitaDavid, FredericAllenAliciaElena, GloriaGilbertHugoBobAndrewLuis, Marilyn, Opal, RoxanneCesar, Fran, HortenseGeorges, MitchFloyd, LennyKeithAllison, Iris, MichelleIsidore, LilliFabian, Isabel, JuanCharley, Frances, Ivan, JeanneDennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan, WilmaDean, Felix, NoelGustav, Ike, PalomaIgor, TomasIreneSandyIngrid

195419551957196019611963196419651967196919701972197419751977197919801983198519881989199119921995199619981999200020012002200320042005200720082010201120122013

HURRICANE TRACKING MAPImportant local information, radar, updatedforecasts and this tracking map available at


2015 Atlantic namesAnaBillClaudetteDannyErikaFredGraceHenriIdaJoaquin

KateLarryMindyNicholasOdettePeterRoseSamTeresaVictorWanda


| 10 www.gainesville.com | THE GAINESVILLE SUN STORM GUIDE SUNDAY , MAY 31 , 2015 | 11

When it comes to hurricane seasonFlorida Credit Union has

you covered before and after the storm!

During hurricane season, only ONE Credit Unionwill be open longer before, during & after thestorms. Florida Credit Union is prepared foranother busy hurricane season. Unlike somefinancial institutions, we won’t treat hurricanepreparednessorrecoveryasextravacationdays.

We are here for our members!> ATMs fully stocked> Longest available lobby & call hours beforethe storm> We’ll be open right after a storm passes onceit is safe for Florida Credit Union employees

For more information call or visit our Gainesville branches2831 NW 43RD ST. | 3720 NW 13TH ST., Suite 10-C | 2785 SW 91ST St., Suite 200

(352) 377-4141 flcu.orgFEDERALLY INSUREDBY THE NCUA

Connecting your money to your life.


Reinforce your castle before the howling winds arriveBy Carl McKinneyCorrespondent

Hurricane season may be part of the cost of living in Florida, but homeowners can take steps to ensure the safety of them-

selves, their families and their property.

Proper planning and preparation can help prevent or mitigate damage the hurricane season brings.

Before becoming the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bryan Koon spent fi ve years as the director of emergency management for Wal-Mart, helping stores prepare for disasters.

Homeowners might fi nd that preparing for a storm isn’t much different for them than it is for a retail chain.

“The principals are the same,” he said. “You really want to do everything you can to prepare.”

The fi rst step is to gather supplies and have a plan.

After a storm, access to cash fl ow will be impor-tant for individuals just as it is to a business. If the power goes down, the communications grid will be affected, meaning cred-it cards might not always be dependable. A stash of cash is essential, and the amount varies for each family.

Homeowners should also take time to review their insurance policies.

“Talk to your insurance provider, make sure you have an appropriate level of coverage for your needs,” he said. Flood insurance usually has to

be bought separately from a standard policy, he noted.

Flooding is the number one cause of death associated with hurri-canes, said Dave Donnelly, emergency management director for Alachua County.

After having a plan and supplies, it’s time to prepare the property, Don-nelly said. If a homeowner has the money, he or she might want to consider having a structural engineer look around and suggest fortifi cations, he said.

The average cost of hiring one in Florida is around $1,800, according to http://homeadvisor.com.

Photographs should be taken of the house and any valuables, and serial numbers should be written down in case a claim needs to be fi led, he said.

After checking the property to see if it is going to be storm-worthy, Donnelly said to call an insurance agent to come over and evaluate it.

Newer homes are more likely to have been built to meet higher code stan-dards, making them more resilient to storms. The Home Depot website has a list of what to look at when reinforcing a home.

Older asphalt shingles are vulnerable to breaking in high winds, so the website recommends applying roofi ng cement under tabs that seem loose.

If a plywood sheathing on a roof gets removed by wind, it can compromise the whole house. Some construction adhesive applied to both sides of the rafters or trusses where they meet the sheathing can help. If there is a tight space, the adhesive can be applied to the fl at sides of quarter-round molding and pressed into the corner between the rafter and decking.

Windows and doors might need to be replaced with impact-resistant ones.

For a fast solution, the Home Depot website recommends using

plywood as a barrier in the meantime, no thinner than a half-inch, and the thicker, the better. If the windows are surrounded by wood, the plywood can be cut to cover the opening and secured with wood screws every 12 inches.

The garage door could be a vulnerable opening, Donnelly said. He suggest-ed reinforcing it with metal bracings. For temporary bracings, a 2x4 piece of wood can be attached to the fl oor with masonry anchors and used to prop up two or three vertical supports connected to the wall

above the door, according to the Home Depot website.

Donnelly recommended against draining the pool before a storm, since it can be a good source for water that can be used to fl ush toilets and for other hygiene purposes.

It’s important to secure garbage cans, pool furniture, lawn ornaments or anything else that might be loose outside, he said. Anything can be turned into a projectile by strong winds.

In case a homeowner needs to evacuate, they should have copies of all

important documents, including family photos, birth certifi cates, Social Security documents, insurance policies or any other government docu-ment. The originals should be kept in a safety deposit box. Scans of the docu-ments also could be kept on a USB drive for porta-bility, along with any important fi les.

Above all, the most important thing to do before a storm is to simply think about a plan in advance, Donnelly said.

“Be informed,” he said. “Know what the hazards are.”

Garage doors

Braces

Inside the

garage door

Protecting the envelope

Windows

Plastic interlayerGlass

Glass

Impact-resistant windows offer passive protection against wind-borne debris during a hurricane. The glazing may shatter from an impact, but the pane will stay in the frame, keeping destructive winds out of the house.

Impact- resistant

glass

Plywood paneling Shutters

When unbraced, these large doors often fail during hurricanes, letting wind into the garage that can lift off the roof. To strengthen double-width garage doors, run 2x4 braces across the middle of each panel. The braces should be anchored to the wall with bolts. Retrofit kits are available for some doors.

Installing plywood over windows and doors is a cost-effective way to protect your home. Measure and drill the panels well in advance for easy installation when a hurricane threatens.

Wood-frame houses■ For windows 3x4 feet or smaller, use 1/4-inch lag bolts that penetrate the wall and frame surrounding the window at least 1 3/4 inches.■ For larger windows, use 3/8-inch lag bolts that penetrate the wall and frame surrounding the window at least 2 1/2 inches.

Masonry houses■ Windows 4x4 or smaller, 1/4-inch expansion anchors. The expansion bolt should penetrate the wall at least 1 1/2 inches. ■ For larger windows, use 3/8-inch expansion bolts that pentrate the wall at least 1 1/2 inches.

Types of shutters■ Roll-down ■ Storm panels■ Plywood

Plywood should overlap the window or door opening by 4 inches on each side.

Shutters protect against wind and flying debris. They come in panels that are installed manually on tracks, or permanent units that roll up into cases atop the opening.

Roll-down shutters are popular because of the ease and speed with which they can be used.

Once a window or door has been breached, hurricane-force winds can enter the structure and exert tremendous pressure on a house’s walls and roof, blowing them out. Shielding these weak spots in the house’s “envelope” can save your home from catastrophe.

Roll-down shutter

DOUG FINGER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/FILE

Jeff French carries off a sheet of plywood from Lowe’s in Butler Plaza in preparation for Hurricane Charley in 2004.


Staff report

Hurricane season begins June 1, so it’s time to update emergency plans

and phone lists and re-stock supply kits.

What to do nowDiscuss the types of ■

hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, fl ooding and wind.

Locate a safe room or ■

the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circum-stances, the safest areas may not be your home but within the community.

Determine escape ■

routes and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles, not hundreds of miles.

Have an out-of-state ■

friend as a family contact.Have a plan for pets in ■

case an evacuation is ordered.

Keep emergency ■

telephone numbers by the phone; make sure children know how and when to call 911. (See list of key phone numbers on PAGE 3)

Check insurance ■

coverage — fl ood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Stock non-perishable ■

emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit. (See checklist on PAGE 4)

Make sure you have an ■

NOAA weather radio, and remember to replace its battery every six months.

Take fi rst aid, CPR and ■

disaster preparedness

classes.Trim trees and shrubs. ■

Make sure debris is cleared prior to a hurri-cane warning announce-ment when trash pickup is suspended. Note: Do not attempt to trim any vegeta-tion growing on or near any overhead power lines. Only specially trained line-clearing profession-als should do so.

Make plans to secure ■

property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. Another option: Board up windows with plywood that is cut to fi t and ready to install. Do not tape windows.

Install straps or addi- ■

tional clips to securely

fasten the roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.

Clear loose and clogged ■

rain gutters and down-spouts.

What to dowhen the stormis coming

Here’s a list compiled from several sources:

Most important: Listen ■

to the radio or TV for information.

If someone in your home ■

depends on electric-pow-ered, life-sustaining equipment, review your family emergency plan for backup power or make arrangements to evacuate.

Before lowering a TV ■

antenna or satellite dish, make sure to turn off and unplug the TV and avoid power lines.

Turn off all swimming ■

pool pumps and fi lters and wrap them in waterproof materials.

Turn off and unplug any ■

unnecessary electrical equipment.

Secure your home, close ■

storm shutters, secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.

Turn off utilities if ■

instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings ahead of time to keep food fresh

STORM on Page 19

1. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.2. Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the U.S.3. Flood insurance can protect you for just pennies a day.4. 20% of floods occur in areas where flood insurance isnot required.

One Storm Is All It Takes

4 Fast Flood Facts

Remember — only flood insurance covers you in a flood.

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Know what to do before, during and after the storm

FILE PHOTO

An employee unwraps a pallet of bottled water at the Lowe’s on Archer Road in preparation for Hurricane Frances in 2004.

ROB C. WITZEL/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Area residents fi ll sandbags along US 441 near the Alachua County Public Works in preparation for Hurricane Frances in 2004.


10 foods that can help tame your hurricane hungerStaff report

Everyone in Florida knows, or should know, to prepare food in case of a hurricane. But what should you store? How much?

The U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture-Food Safety and Inspection Service offers the follow-ing tips:

Food storageMake sure the freezer is ■

at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below and the refrigerator is at 40 degrees or below.

Freeze containers of ■

water for ice to help keep food cold.

Store food on shelves ■

that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of fl ooding.

Group food together in ■

the freezer.Obtain block ice or dry ■

ice to keep your refrigera-tor as cold as possible if

the power is going to be out for a prolonged time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep an 18-cubic-foot full freezer cold for two days.

If refrigerated food is ■

still cool, you should be able to use it for about 48 hours, but avoid opening the refrigerator door frequently.

Cook on gas/charcoal ■

grill or stove outdoors only. Canned heat can be

used indoors.

Foods to avoidThe website hurri-

canecenter.com offers some suggestions, including 10 foods that will serve you well during and after a storm.

First, let’s look at the list of items you should not be buying.

Do not buy snacks like ■

salty chips, crackers and nuts. Aside from not having any nutritional

value, these will only make you thirsty.

Peanut butter, although ■

rich in protein, is also salty, so take it in minimal amounts, or if you think you cannot control your-self, keep this off your list. Candy is also undesirable because aside from causing you to be thirsty, it also has a high level of sodium.

With regard to liquids, ■

do not stock up on sodas and alcohol. Alcohol is obviously not a good idea since you need to be alert and fully conscious in a hurricane situation. Instead, buy vegetable and fruit juices. They are a much healthier alterna-tive. If you have infants in your home, monitor their intake of fruit juices because too much of this can cause illnesses like diarrhea. Also do not binge on sports drinks — drink them in moderation.

Meals to prepare and things to buy

Here are some good ideas of provisions to have beforehand and meals to prepare:

RAMEN NOODLESFood can’t get any easier

than this. To enjoy Ramen noodles, you just need to pour boiling water over them. If you want to get creative and make this into a salad, buy chicken-fl avored noodles and draw off the broth. Add about a teaspoon of peanut butter and some bacon bits and dried chives and you have a fast and easy Asian noodle salad.

BACON AND SAUSAGESPurchase shelf-stable

bacon and hard sausages and you can have all the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches you want. If you run out of bread or lettuce, you can always add these two to your pork and beans. If you want to intensify the fl avor of your bean salad, it would also be a good idea to put in a little bacon and sausage.

CONDIMENTS INSINGLE-SERVE PACKETS

Not only are they handy, sanitary and easy to organize, single-serve condiments of mayon-naise, mustard and ketchup are shelf-stable. The uses for these condi-ments are endless. They

can be used as dressing or to add extra fl avor to your canned tuna or drained ramen noodles.

CHUNKY PASTASAUCE AND SALSA

Salsa is a good dressing for your sandwich. You also can use it to make a salad by mixing it with other ingredients like dried apricots and beans. The chunky pasta sauce will be delicious with your bacon, cheese and your drained ramen noodles. If you prefer to have pizza instead, put pasta sauce on bread, sprinkle cheese over it and wrap it in foil before grilling.

COOKED TUNA AND CHICKENMix your favorite

condiments like mayon-naise or mustard with cooked tuna and chicken and spread it over bread to have an easy and healthy meal. You also can use these ingredients with ramen noodles. Mix olive oil, some herbs and some beans and add this to your noodles.

MILKShelf-stable milk is good

and healthy to add to your canned soups. Remember to heat this meal fi rst on the grill. Milk is also essential for your chil-

dren’s cereal.

CHEESEPurchase shelf-stable

cheese. Good examples of shelf-stable cheese are processed cheese and cheese made with oil. Cheese is perfect for easy and delicious sandwiches. You can transform your cheese into a dip by mixing it with salsa and wrapping this mixture in foil. Grill or melt this mixture. With tortillas, this will make an excellent quesadilla.

CANNED POTATOESAND BEANS

Beans can be used as the perfect topping for salads mixed with ramen noodles. They are also excellent for rice and sausages. For your potatoes, drain them and mix with milk or canned soup. Warm this up on a grill or on a saucepan and top it all off with cheese.

INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED PUDDINGS/FRUIT

Fruit in cups are a healthy snack. You also can add the fruit to some coconut and layer this mixture with pudding to create a parfait. To make a custard sundae, sprinkle some crushed nuts or cookies over it.

RICE AND COUSCOUSPurchase fi ve-minute

rice. To cook rice and couscous, simply pour boiling water and leave them to cook. Rice and couscous can be accompa-nied by beans, some tomatoes or whatever is available in your cupboard.

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Keeping cellphones alive after stormBy Rob C. WitzelStaff writer

The last hurricane to wreak signifi cant damage on North Central Florida did

so before the smartphone revolution began in 2007.

While most Floridians are aware of the usual storm supplies — candles, water, batteries and duct tape — it’s also time to factor mobile device preparedness into the equation.

BatteriesA smartphone is only

useful when it actually has power, and some of us can barely get through a day on a single charge. You might as well cut that

down to hours when it’s the only form of comput-ing you have available. Android devices usually have separate batteries installed so you can keep a couple extra on hand. iPhones do not. You might want to consider a Mophie case for your iPhone, as it can in effect double your battery power by conceal-ing an extra battery within the case. This has every-day practicality.

There also are numerous portable charging devices on the market from companies like Mophie and IOGEAR that store a signifi cant charge long enough to recharge a device multiple times. If you’re prone to lose electricity for long periods, this would be essential.

It’s also important to have a power inverter for your car that can use the power of that engine to run or charge a device with a household plug. Be sure to have proper ventilation when leaving a car idling.

Network connection

You can use virtually any device’s data stream as a hotspot to run other devices that otherwise are cut off from connectivity. Take a few moments ahead of a storm to be sure you know how to perform this important function. If you are faced with the double blow of losing your cell service as well as home service, be sure to know where in your neighborhood you might be able to connect to another stream.

It never hurts to check with neighbors to see if they still have home Wi-Fi or are on a cellular network that has not lost service.

Carriers generally will set up temporary towers after a storm, which is critical, but you might fi nd something as simple as a Starbucks or McDonald’s that still is operating. Institutions like schools, government centers and hospitals will usually be the fi rst to have power restored, so see if they are streaming any Wi-Fi.

AppsInevitably, most people

wait until it’s too late to download apps that can be critical to get through the storm and beyond. While you might not want these hogging up memory year-round, it’s important to make a list of apps and

services that might be worthy of downloading the moment a storm seems imminent.

Five to consider:POCKET FIRST AID & CPR ($1.99): The American Heart Association’s app that you never want to need but also never want to be without.DROPBOX (FREE): Store important fi les and documents in the cloud from desktop computers that can easily be re-trieved from your mobile device.LIFE 360 (FREE): Easily track and locate missing family members via the pings from their smartphone.STOPDISASTER ($1.99): Quite frankly, most people are ill-prepared for a major storm. This app will help you build checklists and maintain an emergency kit.BRIGHTEST FLASHLIGHT (FREE): When you’re in the heat of the moment, nothing is more useful than a fl ashlight, and our smartphones can be very effective in a pinch. Just watch the batteries.

Pocket First Aid & CPR app.

Life 360 app.

Mophie recharging case.

It never hurts to check with neighbors to see if they still have home Wi-Fi or are on a cellular network that has not lost service.


By Carl McKinneyCorrespondent

Experts say there are certain tips that homeown-ers should follow to avoid getting taken advantage of before or after a storm.

Tree removal services and roofers can help make a home storm-worthy. They might also be needed after a storm to repair any damaged roofi ng or remove fallen trees and limbs.

Homeowners should make sure that trees near their house are trimmed because limbs can be turned into projectiles by heavy winds, said Dave Donnelly, emergency management director for

Alachua County. Dead and decaying trees are especially dangerous, he said.

The Tree Care Industry Associations accredits tree removal businesses. A homeowner should ask to see these credentials before hiring. The associa-tion also recommends visiting www.treecaretips.org for information on how to choose a tree service.

For example, homeown-ers should ask for a written work proposal, which should read like a contract. The proposal should say that all work will be done according to the American National Standards Institute standards for tree care. It should also list the methods that will be used

so homeowners will know what equipment will be used.

Amateur tree cutters might rip off a rainspout, break a fence or drop a limb on a car or house, according to the website.

A tree service asking for money up front is a red fl ag, according to the website. A roofer might legitimately need money for materials, but hom-eowners should avoid tree service companies that ask for it.

The Better Business Bureau recommends checking with your insurance company about policy coverage and fi ling requirements well before a storm. A homeowner might need to fortify a roof before a storm, or have it repaired after one.

When hiring a tree service or a roofer, it’s best to look for someone with worker’s compensation insurance coverage, said Bob Nichols, of Perry Roofi ng. If a worker is injured on a property without being insured, the owner could be liable.

Some roofers are bonded for additional insurance, making them preferable, he said. Always ask to see the insurance in writing, he added.

Just like roofers, the homeowner could be liable if a worker for a tree service company is injured on the property. The treecaretips.org website suggests asking for a certifi cate to prove the company has liability and worker’s compensation insurance.

The BBB keeps track of complaints fi led against any company that belongs to it. The BBB has multiple roofi ng and tree services with an A+ rating.

Finding a reputable roofer is important, Nichols said. Bad work-manship on roofs makes

the home more vulnerable, doing more harm than good.

The BBB recommends checking for references for both tree care services and roofers. Local refer-ences from recent custom-

ers can help gage a company’s quality.

It also suggests explor-ing multiple options, getting a written contract, checking for permits and licenses and inspecting the work.

FILE PHOTO

Peter Alcorn works to cut up a large tree that fell next to his house on Sept. 10, 2004, left behind by Hurricane Frances.

Chain-saw safety tipsEach year, approximately

36,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries from using chain saws.

Operate, adjust ■

and maintain the saw according to manufacturer’s instructions provided in the instruction manual.

Properly sharpen chain- ■

saw blades, and properly lubricate the blade with bar and chain oil.

Choose the proper size ■

of chain saw to match the job, and include safety features such as a chain brake, front and rear hand guards, stop switch, chain catcher and a spark arrester.

Wear the appropriate ■

protective equipment, including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, heavy work gloves, cut-resistant legwear that extends from the waist to the top of the foot, and boots which cover the ankle.

Always cut at waist ■

level or below to ensure you maintain control over

the saw.

Protecting yourself and your home from tree damage before and aft er a storm

e

gwith an A+ rating.

Finding a reputable roofer is important,Nichols said. Bad work-manship on roofs makes

the saw.


Is warming changing length of hurricane season?By Andrea ThompsonClimate Central

Hurricane season doesn’t offi cially begin until Monday, but tell that to Tropi-cal Storm Ana, which made landfall on the

South Carolina coast early May 10. May storms, while unusual, aren’t unprecedented, since the offi cial season dates are artifi cial. Records suggest they happen about once every six years.

But in the ever-present context of a warming world, relative outliers like Ana raise questions about how the boundaries of the hurricane season might be changed as the Earth heats up: Will those seasons become longer as ocean waters warm and provide more fuel, or will the season be compressed as storms become less frequent, as some climate models have suggested?

The question is one that researchers have just

begun to delve into, as most hurricane-climate research over the past decade has instead focused on hurricane frequency and strength. What little work that has been done has given no de-fi nitive answers, but has provided some intriguing possibilities. Observations stretching back to the mid-19th century suggest that the hurricane season is, in fact, getting longer, despite climate models showing confl icting results.

“We don’t have a com-pletely locked down answer,” Suzana Cama-rgo, a researcher at Columbia’s Lamont-Do-herty Earth Observatory and co-author of a new model study on the issue, said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is defi ned as the six-month period from June 1 to Nov. 30 and encompasses about 97 percent of the ocean basin’s tropical cyclone activity. While, as the

NHC puts it, “there is nothing magical about these dates,” they book-mark the period when sea surface temperatures are warm enough to fuel storm development.

As greenhouse gases trap more heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, 93 percent of it is soaked up by the world’s oceans. It is possible, some scientists think, that rising ocean temperatures might be warm enough to fuel storms for a longer portion of the year.

But lots of other factors also determine whether or not a tropical cyclone (the generic term for tropical storms and hurricanes) forms, including a favor-able atmospheric setup. So how the length of the season might change with warming isn’t so clear-cut.

One of the fi rst people to

examine the question was atmospheric scientist Jim Kossin, of the University of Wisconsin and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-tion.

Looking at the observa-tional data back in 2008, he found a slight lengthen-ing of the season, a trend that grew stronger when he recently re-examined it to extend the data through the 2014 season.

Hurricane data can be unreliable because today’s satellites can spot storms that might have been missed in earlier periods. But Kossin said the trend he sees is even stronger when data only going back to 1950 is considered.

In fact, Kosslin said the evidence pointed toward the trend being fairly real.

The results of climate

model experiments looking at the future are more of a mixed bag. Camargo and other Columbia scientists used four different approaches and found that while one method suggested that the season would get longer by 2100, the other three suggested the season would actually become shorter.

One key relationship uncovered by the model study, accepted for publication in the Journal of Climate, was between the frequency of tropical cyclones (or how many there are in a season) and the length of that season: Fewer storms equals a shorter season, and vice versa.

“So answering the frequency question is key to determining the seasonality question,”

study leader and MIT post-doctoral researcher John Dwyer, a graduate student at Columbia when the research was conduct-ed, said in an email.

Dwyer and Camargo said that teasing out what the future may hold for season length will likely take models that can better represent storms, as well as an improved understanding of the physics behind the formation and evolution of hurricanes.

“I think we have to wait for the next generation of models and see what we get,” Camargo said.

Climate Central is an in-dependent organization of scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our chang-ing climate and its impact on the American public.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Dec.Nov.Oct.Sept.Aug.JulyJuneMayJan.-Apr.

Hurricanes by monthStatistics show that 79.4 percent of all tropical storms and 84.7 percent of all hurricanes since 1851 form in August, September and October.

Tropical stormsU.S. landfall hurricanesHurricanes

SOURCE: National Hurricane Center SEAN OCHAL/Staff graphi

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A car drives south on a fl ooded Ocean Boulevard after it drove past barricades warning of the high water from Tropical Storm Ana on May 10, in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.


STORM: Tips for boat owners also

Have a flood?Call us!

longer in the event of a ■

power outage.Turn off propane tanks. ■

Avoid using the phone, ■

except for serious emer-gencies.

Ensure a supply of water ■

for sanitary purposes, such as cleaning and fl ushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

What to do during the storm

Go to your safe room — ■

a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.

Stay indoors and away ■

from windows and glass doors.

Close all interior doors. ■

Secure and brace all external doors.

Keep curtains and ■

blinds closed. Remember that a “lull” might be the eye of the storm; winds could pick up again.

If the roof begins to leak ■

or rain blows in around doors and windows, do not go outside to repair damage during the storm.

Aft er the stormWatch for downed ■

power lines that are still live.

Don’t strike matches ■

until you are sure no gas is leaking.

Look out for broken ■

glass, nails and other sharp debris.

Snakes and other ■

dangerous animals could be on the loose.

Do not use water until ■

the local water utility, through the media, says it is safe to do so. Use only bottled or disinfected water. (For information on disinfecting water, see related list.)

If your home is dam- ■

aged, be aware that it still

may collapse.Be on the lookout for ■

possible looters.Avoid driving: Roads ■

may be littered with debris and traffi c lights may not be working.

Disinfecting waterBOILING: Boil at rolling boil for 10 minutes, let cool, add a pinch of salt for taste, and then pour the water back and forth between clean containers to reduce fl at taste.CHLORINATION: Use unscent-ed liquid chloride bleach, add eight drops to each gallon of water, and then stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If water does not have slight chlorine odor, repeat the dosage and let stand for 15 minutes.CHLORINE OR IODINE TABLETS: Follow directions on the package, but if directions are not given use one tablet for each quart of water. Make sure the tablet dissolves and mix thoroughly. Let stand for 30 minutes.LIQUID IODINE: Add fi ve drops of 2 percent iodine to each quart of clear water, for cloudy water, add 10 drops of 2 percent iodine to each quart of water. Mix thoroughly and let stand for 30 minutes.

Insurance tipsThe Florida Department

of Financial Services offers the following tips:PURCHASE INSURANCE NOW: Insurance companies do not accept new applica-tions or requests for increased coverage once a hurricane nears Florida.KNOW WHAT YOUR INSURANCE COVERS: Flood and wind damage are often covered in separate policies. Decide if you need this protection and contact your agent for more

information.MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ADEQUATE COVERAGE: Consider increasing your coverage if your policy doesn’t cover the current value of your home and its contents.KNOW THE NAME OF YOUR INSUR-ERS: Write down the names of your agent and agency, your insurance company, your policy number and a telephone number to report a claim.SAFEGUARD YOUR RECORDS: Store important insurance and fi nancial papers in a safe and accessible place.

Tips for boat owners

When possible, store ■

boats out of the water on land or on a lift to protect them from dangerous storm surges.

If the boat is on a lift, ■

tether the bow and stern to the lift itself so that high water will not fl oat it off the lift.

Remove all canvas and ■

boat covers if possible and secure below or store elsewhere.

Duct tape vertical ■

windows to prevent water from entering the boat.

When docked, double- ■

or triple-line boats, allowing them to move with the water but keeping them tight enough to prevent the vessel from slamming against station-ary poles and docks.

Position fenders where ■

they will best protect the hull from surrounding stationary objects.

Clean out lockers and ■

refrigerators of perishable foods.

Do not lock the boat or ■

yacht. After a storm, authorities will secure the area and check buildings and boats for people and will break down all locked doors to complete a thorough sweep.

Continued from 14

UNNAMED SEPT. 1935UNNAMED SEPT. 1896

DORA SEPT. 1964DONNA SEPT. 1960UNNAMED AUG. 1949 EASY SEPT. 1950

ELENA AUG. 1985 CHARLEY AUG. 2004 FRANCES SEPT. 2004 JEANNE SEPT. 2004

MAJOR STORMSTO PASS NEARALACHUA COUNTY



Documents

2015 Storm Guide Gainesville Sun