“As of June 1st, Hurricane Season has blown back into town as quickly as it left last November,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri observes. “Floridians know as well as anyone how unpredictable hurricanes can be and how abruptly their paths can shift. If there is one thing Hurricane Irma taught us, it is to be prepared.”
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Irma, which hit the Caribbean before marching up Florida’s spine, killed 44 people and caused more than $50 billion in damage. For this year, researchers at Colorado State University predict 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, packing sustained winds of at least 111 mph. A typical season sees 12 named storms, 6.5 hurricanes and two majors. The forecast comes from CSU research scientist and forecast lead author Phil Klotzbach.
Pinellas County residents and business owners can get the best preparedness information from the Emergency Management Preparedness site at http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/.
Among the valuable tips, by topic:
Know Your Zone:
Look up your evacuation zone. Remember, even if you already checked up your zone, you must re-check it as some zones have changed. Enter your address and you will be provided information on your evacuation level, the closest hotel accommodations, the closest shelter and the closest special needs shelter. Note: not all shelter and hotel accommodations will be available in all storm levels. You can check on the app as the storm gets closer.
Readiness Checklists:
Blue Sky Readiness Checklist: well in advance of any hurricanes, this list provides guidance about pre-storm preparations …
5-Day Cone Readiness Checklist:meaning that a hurricane is on a probable path to reach our area in five days – the checklist includes tasks that are more immediate…
3-Day Cone Readiness Checklist:the chance that the hurricane will affect our area is greater – the checklist will change again to reflect those late-stage items that need to get done …
Get a Plan:
Enter information about the location of homes and businesses, family members, pets and family contact information and a personal emergency plan will be developed that users are able to print or maintain online.
Alert Pinellas:
The Alert Pinellas emergency notification service allows Pinellas County to send messages by voice to landlines and by voice or text to mobile devices, TDD and via email. It is FREE to our residents and will give us multiple ways to get the word to you whenever an urgent situation arises. Sign up at http://www.pinellascounty.org/alertpinellas/.
Storm Surge Protector:
This interactive tool depicts by evacuation level, the impact that storm surge flooding would have on a neighborhood, home or business …
Connect to: Social Media …
National Hurricane Center … All Hazards Preparedness Guide in Spanish language. Introducing the Ready Pinellas mobile app. “Ready Pinellas” was designed to help residents prepare themselves and their families before a storm and as a storm approaches. Use all of the tools to stay safe and take the information with you as you finalize your preparations. Download the free app “Ready Pinellas” on your mobile device by searching the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Special Needs:
Register for special needs shelters (see accompanying sidebar) intended for those who need transportation or require minimal medical assistance while seeking public shelter. Registration is required.
Pet Preparedness:
Get information on sheltering your pet, how to register for a pet-friendly shelter and what you need to prepare. Pre-registration required for Special Needs Shelters Call (727) 464-3800 … Pet-Friendly Shelters Call (727) 582-2600. (See accompanying sidebar for South Pinellas shelters.)
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
Businesses are encouraged to have a continuity plan to help them survive the storm AND stay in business. Owners of both large and small businesses need to have secure storage for data and files, alternative sites for doing business, methods of communicating with employees and customers and appropriate insurance. These are just a few items to consider when putting together a business continuity plan.
PINELLAS COUNTY BUSINESSES: Subscribe to Situation Report Emails for Businesses here.
Appointments for Personalized Business Continuity Plans with SBDC Business Consultants: If you’d like to make an appointment to prepare a personalized business continuity plan for your company, please make an appointment for a one-on-one session with one of Pinellas County’s business consultants by clicking here.
Useful Links:
- Tampa Bay Prepares – Disaster Planning
- FEMA Business Continuity Planning Suite
- Insurance Information from the Division of Consumer Services
- Small Business Recovery Information
- Florida SBDC Launches Disaster Preparedness App
Set up a to-go box for critical papers:
Use a plastic, waterproof container that can be used to hold and carry important business documents and helpful forms including: A list of all employees, key customers and clients along with their phone numbers; Insurance policies and agent contact information; Back-up electronic data; Equipment, computer software/hardware and furniture inventories; A list of emergency vendors, like plumbers and restoration contractors; Copies of essential business policies, plans and agreements; Photographs of the business, both inside and out.
Business preparation tips:
Take the necessary precautions. As a storm threatens, secure your building. Cover and move equipment and furniture to a secured area; Always protect your data with back up files; Make plans to work with limited cash and probably no water, sewer or power for at least two weeks; Contact your customers and suppliers regarding your continuity plans; Protect windows and glass doors; Clear the property or tie down any items that could become flying missiles; Fill fleet cars and equipment gas tanks; Turn off electricity, water and gas; If your business is in a non-evacuation area, think about having your business serve as a host home shelter for employees.
Employees need TLC:
Communicate your business hurricane plan with your employees. Remember, too, that your associates may need some extra consideration. Probably all of your employees need time to prepare their own homes and talk with their families about their own personal emergency plans.
Business interruption insurance: Business owners need to think about what they would do if their buildings were unusable after a storm.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Understand that Business Interruption Insurance will compensate you for lost income if your company has to leave the site because of disaster-related damage; Be sure that the policy will cover your company for more than a few days. After a disaster, it may take more time to get back up and running; Ask what the waiting period would be before the insurance coverage begins; Explore the cost of adding this coverage to your specific business type. Some businesses, like restaurants, might have to pay a higher premium based on risk.
Special note for home-based businesses:
All businesses, large and small, are thinking about emergency preparedness. And, home-based business owners should be doing that too. “Home-based business owners should be aware that after a disaster, they may qualify for SBA Disaster Loans and possibly unemployment benefits, if they are unable to work,” said Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Senior Manager of Business Assistance at Pinellas County Economic Development.
A Go Box is another critical item every home-based business owner should pull together. One action to take right now is to back up computer information on CDs or another portable medium. Store those back-ups in the Go Box too. Take photos of your home office, both inside and out, to take along. “Just like all business leaders, home-based business owners should ensure they safeguard essential business documents and information in a Go Box,” said Johnson. Ideally, that box should be backed up in an alternative location in the event the home is destroyed.
Re-entering the County
Sheriff Gualtieri emphasizes, “If you live in a barrier island community, make sure you are registered for and know where you’ve placed your Emergency Access Permit. When a mandatory evacuation order is lifted, law enforcement officials will scan these permits at designated re-entry points. Barrier island residents may register directly with their city government during its general office hours year-round, so don’t wait until an evacuation order has been issued to secure yours (See accompanying list of barrier island contacts). “If you registered for and still possess your Emergency Access Permit from years prior, you DO NOT need to register again. If you don’t know if you need a permit, visit www.pcsoweb.com/emergency-access-permit or call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 727-582-6200.
“If you have evacuated out of the area, returning home can have some challenges if a storm has done significant damage to the county. Bridges and roads may be closed due to damage, flooding or debris. Officials may have entire areas closed off to everyone, even residents. It’s important to remember that coming home is not a guarantee. So before heading home, be sure to watch or read the news to learn the latest information about road conditions and damage reports for Pinellas County and surrounding areas.
“You will be asked to hang the permit from your vehicle’s rearview mirror for re-entry post-evacuation. Law enforcement posted at city entrances will scan the barcode on your permit to verify your residence. With your help, we will be able to keep trespassers from easily accessing your property. Permits are available in every barrier island at City Hall or the Police Dept. except Isla Del Sol & Tierra Verde.
Get your Re-entry permit NOW! “Finally, stay connected. Leading up to a potential hurricane or other emergency, it is our top priority to keep citizens informed so that we can all get through it together and as efficiently as possible.
“Follow the Sheriff’s Office and Pinellas County Government on Facebook and Twitter and look for ‘#GetReadyPinellas’ for posts including preparation tips, situation-specific details, evacuation orders, etc. Also, download the free ‘Ready Pinellas’ app in the App Store or Google Play to receive updates as they are issued.
“Keeping citizens safe is EVERYONE’s responsibility. We might not know when and where the next disaster will strike, but with proper preparation and open communication, we can be ready for it.” PN
Article by Steve Traiman
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri; Corporal Jessica Masecky, Public Information Officer; and Karly Horn, PCSO Public Relations Specialist for the excellent comments & vital information.]
Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com]