Hurricane Preparation

We hope that you find thIS information helpful!

Preparedness: pre·pared·ness noun The state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action.

~ The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

In a nutshell … When “THEY” tell you to prepare, “THEY” are telling you to take responsibility for yourself, your family, your pet(s), your property, your possessions, etc. You know your needs and your family’s needs better than “THEY” do. Don’t wait for “THEM” to come and help before, during, or after a storm or disaster, or give you a handout, or come to your aid or rescue. You have the power first to act for yourself and your family, so get ready now!

TIP: You may want to print and save the information on this and the hyperlinked pages now as you may not have power or an internet connection before, during, or after a storm.

SOME RESOURCES

City of Punta Gorda

Emergency Operations Center (EOC): 941-575-5580 activated when the EOC becomes operational

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION AND LINKS home page

City of PG Hurricane Preparedness Presentation (2017)
Hurricane Checklist
Hurricane Preparedness Brochure
Hurricane Preparedness for Boat Owners (05-17-2023)
- Canal Cross-tie Step-by-Step
Lynne Matthew’s Hurricane Tips
Resident Assistance Program (special needs)
Sign up for Alert Punta Gorda
City and Emergency leaders will also use Facebook and NextDoor to communicate during an emergency

Storm preparation reminders - During the preparation of any impending storm, the City of Punta Gorda Sanitation Department would like to remind residents of the storm debris preparation and collection guidelines.

Trimming around your home should be done well before any storm warnings or watches are issued.
To place yard waste out at this time could block storm drains and cause flooding or allow the materials to become dangerous projectiles.
DO NOT cut down trees or vegetation or do any major yard work.
Mass cutting places a tremendous burden on the normal yard waste collection process, and collecting this debris a few days before a storm's landfall is NOT guaranteed.
During a storm watch or warning, DO NOT place materials at the curb.
Public Works may suspend services, and facilities may close early to prepare for the storm.

Trash and recycling containers - Be sure to secure your trash, recycling, and any personal yard waste containers inside a secure location. During an event the containers could become projectiles and cause significant damage. The trash and recycling containers end up in the water way disturbing natural habitats and causing unnecessary pollution.

The containers are very costly and the property owner is ultimately responsible for the costs involved in replacing the container. Prices vary according to the container size. A limited amount of containers are kept on sight for replacement.

Charlotte County

Emergency Management Main Number: 941-833-4000

Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management for important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.

Check for Charlotte County news HERE.

To receive text updates on recovery resources, text the word CHARCOCARES to 888-777.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT home page

FPL

To report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line: 866-263-9186

To report an outage: 800-468-8243

Power Tracker Outage Map - an online, interactive map that lets customers view outage and restoration information for their area.

Outage information - Report issues or check the status of an outage.

Storm preparation - Resources to help you get ready before a storm hits.

Storm Guide - Use this guide and tips to prepare your family before a storm hits.
Safety Tips - Learn about potential electrical hazards that arise before, during and after a storm.
Generators - Generators can be useful after a storm but dangerous if not used properly.
Tree Trimming - Minimize the impact of falling tree limbs during a storm.
Resources - Find quick links and phone numbers for non-FPL emergency resources.
Seniors - Special tips and considerations specifically for senior citizens.
Helpful Videos

Family Emergency Communication Plan

“What if something happens and I’m not with my family?” “Will I be able to reach them?” “How will I know they are safe?” “How can I let them know I’m OK?”

During a disaster, you will need to send and receive information from your family. Communication networks, such as mobile phones and computers, could be unreliable during disasters, and electricity could be disrupted. Planning in advance will help ensure that all the members of your household — including children and people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, as well as outside caregivers — know how to reach each other and where to meet up in an emergency.

Make a plan today and share! Some resources …

Make a Plan Form from Ready.gov
Family Communications Plan from FLdisaster.org
Family Emergency Communications Plan from Ready.gov

Medical preparedness

Oxygen-Dependent Residents - Contact your regular vendor directly for additional tanks or refills. Maintain at least a two-week supply.

Prescription medications - Refill prescriptions. Maintain at least a two-week supply.

Contact lenses – Refill prescription. Maintain at least a two-week supply.

Respirators or other electric dependent medical equipment - Make medical arrangements with your physician and register with FPL.

Pets & Large Animals

If you are a pet owner or have larger animals (i.e. livestock) it is important that you also consider their needs when developing your disaster plan. If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS OR ANIMALS BEHIND.

Some resources ...

FL Division of Emergency Management Make a Pet Plan
American Red Cross Pet Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
ASPCA Disaster Preparedness
Ready.gov Prepare Your Pets for Disasters
The Humane Society of the United States Pet Disaster Preparedness

STAYING INFORMED

Over the air TV Channels (antenna NOT cable):

WINK 11.1
WBBH 20.1
WZVN 26.1
WWSB 40.1
WFTX 36.1

Local AM/FM Radio Stations:

WCCF AM 1580
WENG AM 1530, FM 98.1, FM 107.5
WIKX FM 92.9
WBCG FM 98.9
WCVU FM 104.9
WINK FM 96.9
WCKT FM 100.9

Local News Media

Source: Charlotte County’s How To Stay Informed web page

VHF Radio

NOAA channel 3
Coast Guard channel 9

NOAA Weather Radio home page

NOAA Weather Radio Station Search

The Weather Channel home page

Local Emergency Alerts

Alert Punta Gorda Emergency Public Notification System
Alert Charlotte Emergency Alert Program

About different Emergency Alerts and how to get them from the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Ready Campaign

A Guide for Alerts and Warnings from FEMA

Know Your Alerts and Warnings from FEMA

Mobile Apps with Local Alert Functions

FEMA www.fema.gov/mobile-app
Red Cross www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps
The Weather Channel app (on the webpage’s heading, on the right - DOWNLOAD APP - or download it from wherever you normally download your apps)
- How To Enable Your Phone's Weather Alerts in The Weather Channel app

You may also be able to stream local TV stations live from your desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. Go to the network's website and locate and click the link to watch TV. This will typically be a button labeled something like “Live TV.” Not all networks or stations will have this option. But if they do, the website will be streaming whatever is scheduled for their channel at the time you’re watching.

** Hurricane Preparation **