By JoAnne Young

Every year when the ocean water warms to about 80 degrees, hurricane season is declared. It officially starts June 1, and the coast is not considered safe until November 30. Jacksonville hasn't had a direct hit by a hurricane since Dora in 1964, and we've become a little smug. Some people feel that we can't be hit.

According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration), the Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be above average. This means you can expect eleven or more tropical storms. Seven of these could become hurricanes, and three of them could become major hurricanes of Category 3 or more on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

Northeast Florida had a close call in 1999 when it looked as if the massive Hurricane Floyd would brush our shore. It didn't, but we learned much from our preparation and evacuation procedures. Even the government learned, and it has already been announced that if mass evacuation is required again, all lanes of I-10 will move west.

It has been said before, but it's worth saying again--start your preparations early. After a hurricane Watch is announced, water, batteries, tape, canned drinks, and masking tape are gone from the stores in a few hours. People stand in lines for hours to buy plywood to cover their windows, but may find they have to leave without any. Buy plywood early and store it until you need it.
Here are some other hurricane reminders:

Assemble supplies

• Transistor radio with new batteries
• Flashlights, battery operated lanterns (Do not use candles or oil lamps; they can cause fires)
• A full tank of gasoline in the car
• Foods that don't require refrigeration or cooking (canned drinks, canned tuna, baked beans, bread, canned fruits, oranges, apples, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, other foods your family likes)
• Water (1-2 quarts per person per day)
• Non-electric can opener; battery operated clock
• An Emergency Kit (antibiotic ointment, gauze bandages, adhesive tape, sterile pads, band-aids, scissors, non-prescription medications.
• Infant care items (foods, disposable diapers, formula)
• Special dietary foods if needed; prescription medications, personal aids like eyeglasses, hearing aids.
• Disposable plates, spoons, forks, cups
• Personal hygiene items: soap, shampoo, toothpaste and brush, towel
• Pet foods
• Books, magazines, cards, games, pencils, paper
• Portable ice chest

Assemble valuable items

• Cash for two to three weeks expenses
• Insurance policies
• Valuable papers--birth certificates, passports, wills, deeds
• Photos or videos of house and property--describe property as you video.
• List personal property, serial numbers and costs to save later insurance hassels
• Package jewelry and other personal valuables

Prepare your home and property after a hurricane warning

• Protect windows with plywood, shutters, or pressboard. Tape will keep glass from flying, but it will not keep windows from breaking.
• Take all loose objects indoors--lawn chairs, plants in pots, toys, anything that can fly in the wind.
• Moor, anchor or store your boat
• Sterilize and fill bathtubs and washing machine with water.
• Remove pictures and bric-a-brac from the walls.
• Wedge sliding glass doors with a bar.
• Close all drapes and blinds to keep glass from flying.
• Turn off electricity to pool and add extra chlorine. Sink aluminum furniture in the pool.
• Bring pets inside.

When you have to evacuate

• Have a prearranged family plan to go to a shelter, motel, or friend's house. What you take with you will depend on where you go. Keep in mind that during and after the hurricane, restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, essentially everything, will be closed and boarded up.
• Leave early and follow the recommended routes.
• Turn off main utility switches.
• Lock and secure your home.
• Take valuable papers and items and property video.
• Take supplies that will be required at the place you've decided to stay.
• If you go to a shelter, take several changes of clothing for each family member, sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, pillows, snacks, amusements.
• Make sure you have made arrangements for pets. Shelters and most motels will not take them.

Hurricane Resources

Animal Friendly Motels in Florida
Links to counties with lists of motels that accept pets.

Disaster aftermath means opportunity for scams, rip offs
Florida Times Union article listing typical scams after a hurricane.

Florida Dept. of Emergency Management
Hurricane season 2004, warning and info, hazards page, weather page, plus other links to emergency management.

JaxStorms
WJXT and Florida Times Union online version of "Eye on the Storm, Hurricane and Disaster Guide" for 2004 includes many resources: Message from Mayor Delaney, tracking map, boaters tips, preparation guide, protecting your home, shelters, plus info on wildfires and tornados.

National Hurricane Center
Latest forecasts, satellite imagery, storm names, storm historical data.

Northeast FL Red Cross
Links to information and services.

The Weather Channel
Features weather news, forecasts, and tropical storm reports.

Tropical Cyclone Names
Names of possible hurricanes in the North Atlantic for 2004 to 2009.