If a Disaster Struck Today, Would You and Your Family Be Ready?

If a disaster struck today, would you and your family be ready?

As Floridians, we know that disasters can happen anywhere and anytime in the Sunshine State. No part of the state is immune from disasters. We must always be ready to protect ourselves, our families, and our loved ones from a potential catastrophe. So, as we enter into the final months of hurricane season, let’s take a moment to review some important preparedness information.

First, let’s talk about the importance of a disaster-survival plan. It is crucial for all Floridians to have a disaster-survival plan, as proper emergency planning can greatly reduce the risk of disasters to the state’s residents and visitors. This plan should be flexible, and serve as a guide for individuals both before and during disasters. Some really important questions to ask yourself when making a disaster-survival plan include:

 If my family has to evacuate before a disaster, where will we go?
 How am I going to take care of elderly family members, friends, or neighbors during emergencies?
 What accommodations have to be made for any family members or friends with disabilities or special needs?
 Where are my pets and animals (including farm animals!) going to go if I need to leave my home? Service animals for persons with disabilities or special needs are exceptions.
 What evacuation route am I going to take if I need to leave my home?


To help you build your individual and family disaster-survival plan, you can go to www.FloridaDisaster.org. There, you can click on the “Get A Family Plan” link, and start building your plan today.

We should also take a moment to go over the importance of having a disaster supply kit. After some disasters, it may take emergency managers and first responders up to three days to reach you. During this time, you may have to provide for yourself and your family. We urge all Floridians to have the following items on hand and centrally located in case of such emergencies:

 2 gallons of water per person, per day (for drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes)
 Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups
 Special foods for babies or older people
 Manual can opener
 Pots, pans, plates, and utensils
 Food for pets
 Prescription medications
 First Aid kit
 Cash (Small bills are best. Think $1’s, $5’s, and $10’s.)
 Important documents

It is never too soon to prepare for disasters. You can take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family by building a disaster-survival plan and disaster supply kit today.

If a disaster struck today, would you and your family be ready?