Hurricane Season

The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico) is from June 1 to November 30. The peak of the season is from mid-August to late October.

Hurricane Preparation Tips
The following list includes the most important emergency supplies when preparing for a hurricane.
*Portable AM Radio & Batteries *Oil Lamp & Lamp Oil *First Aid Kit
Hammer & assorted nails * Pliers * Candles & Matches *Masking Tape (2 rolls 2" tape ) * Flashlights (3) & Batteries * Tarpaulins
*Propane tanks for barbecue grill or camping stoves.
*Electrical tape (1 roll)
*Purchase Emergency Foods (Non-perishable)
* Bottled Drinking Water *Canned Soups *Vegetables etc.
*Pastas, macaroni *Powdered Chocolate Drink Mix *Powdered Milk *Eggs
Other Non-Perishable Foods

Assemble Important Documents -
It is important that important documents be removed from a home which is to be evacuated. They should be stored in a safe place. A bank safe deposit box is used by many. Some folks will use a Sentry type home safe which is fire and water resistant. Important records include: Homeowners, automobile and boat insurance contracts; Life insurance policies; Wills, Trusts; Property Deeds, Marriage Certificates, Military Discharge Certificates, Birth Certificates, etc.

Protect your windows. Permanent shutters are the best protection.

Water Availability - If winds are expected to reach category 3 or above, the Water Resources Superintendent will make a determination if the water needs to be turned off. Fill your bath tubs and buckets with water for flushing toilets in event water supply or electricity is turned off.

Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names

Florida Hurricane Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Employment Information:

• Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation - includes links to information on business loans and economic development grants, the Disaster Food Stamp Program, National Emergency Grants, Working in the Disaster Areas, and much more.
• Florida Department of Health - fact sheets, guidelines, and other related information for protecting health during the disaster recovery period on many subjects - water supply risks, home repair safety tips, mold in buildings, mosquitos and disease, and more.
• FloridaDisaster.org - from the Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Florida Hurricane Resources - updates by county, business owners and job seeker resources and support, and more - from the state of Florida.
• IRS Disaster Area Tax Relief for Florida - specific help for Florida Hurricane victims, including both individuals and businesses.
• IRS Disaster Loss Recovery Kit - A 98-page PDF file containing all the forms you need to document your loss (including one to get free copies of your previously filed tax returns), so you can apply for loans and/or grants. [Free PDF file (Adobe Acrobat) reader browser plugin]
• Pensacola News Journal - moderated forum on the Pensacola News Journal Website for contractors seeking workers; on 9/26, does not look very well moderated so be careful of some of these postings. [More hurricane-related forums from the Pensacola News Journal]
• Retraining for dislocated workers - if your employer and your job are gone as a result of the hurricane disaster, you may qualify for retraining.
• Up4Contract - Post your need for someone to help you repair your home on this site and people will "bid" on your "contract" with the lowest bid winning. Kind of an eBay for short term needs/employment.