After the storm
Be patient. Access to affected areas will be controlled. You will not be able to return to your home until search and rescue operations are complete and downed trees and power lines are cleared.
- Don't drive. Roads must remain clear for emergency vehicles.
- Report downed power lines and broken water or sewer pipes to proper authorities. Do not touch downed or dangling electrical wires.
- If there has been flooding, have an electrician inspect your home or office before turning on the breaker. Use the telephone only for emergencies to keep the lines open for emergency communication.
- After the initial emergency period has passed, notify relatives and insurance companies; contact your landlord or mortgage holder; contact your employer to check your work schedule and take inventory to determine and record losses.
- Don't eat spoiled or questionable food.
- Don't try to operate gas appliances which were under water. Instead, contact the gas utility to schedule an inspection.
- Beware of snakes, insects or animals driven to higher ground by flooding.
- Don't cook with charcoal inside your house.
- Be careful with candles and open flames as a light source.
Every effort will be made to allow evacuees to return to their home and businesses as quickly as possible. Re-entry to evacuated areas will be authorized based on public safety, security and operational needs of search and rescue teams.
The re-entry policy will be established as soon as possible and with as few restrictions as possible. The decision to establish general re-entry will be evaluated through continuous coordination among county and state agencies, municipal law enforcement agencies and adjacent counties and will be announced through the news media.
| FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) registration | 1-800-6213362 |
| Telecommunications for the deaf/speech-impaired | 1-800-462-7585 |
| National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) | 1-800-427-9662 |
| American Red Cross (local) | (386) 226-1400 |
| Salvation Army (local) | (386) 236-2020 |
Websites
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Florida Division of Emergency Management
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