Hurricane Preparation
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Page 21 STAFF REPORT Hurricane season begins June 1. Now is the time to get prepared. Make sure you know your evacuation level, develop an evacuation plan, have a well-stocked emergency kit, strengthen your home and stay informed. But also have kits for your car and office, because you never know where you'll be when a storm comes. KNOW YOUR EVACUATION LEVEL If you live in an area that could be affected by storm surge flooding or if you're in a home that could be unsafe during a hurricane, you may need to evacuate. Find your evacuation level for Charlotte County are the Emergency Management page of charlottecountyfl. gov and for Sarasota County on the Emergency Services page at scgov.net. MAKE AN EVACUATION PLAN Decide where you will go and how you will get there if you are directed to evac- uate. Locate the best place for you and your family and don't forget about your pets. Check which evacuation centers are pet-friendly but realize this usually means dogs and cats but not more exotic animals. If you evac- uate, you should bring your emergency kit as well as any snacks or specific foods for special dietary needs. WELL-STOCKED EMERGENCY KIT Have enough supplies to get through the storm and for a potential lengthy re- covery period. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine for each per- son in your family to last for at least two weeks. Radios, batteries, and cell phone chargers are must haves as well. Don't forget to gas up your car and have adequate cash on hand too. PREPARE YOUR HOME Trim the trees on your property, bring any patio furniture or loose lawn items indoors, and secure doors (including garage doors) and windows with hurricane shutters, metal panels or plywood. If you're staying, find a safe location to park your vehicle. STAY INFORMED Communication is key before, during and after a storm. Register to receive emergency notices. • Charlotte County: Go to Alert Charlotte at charlotte- countyfl.gov/alertcharlotte to sign up for texts, email notifications or phone mes- sages. • Sarasota County: Go to AlertSarasotaCounty.com or call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861- 5000. • DeSoto County: Go to desotobocc.com/depart- ments/emergency_manage- ment to sign up for DeSo- toAlert. CHECK INSURANCE Make sure your wind and flood insurances are up to date. Snap photos or shoot video of your home and pos- sessions. These could come in handy later. COPY AND BACKUP DOCUMENTS Keep policies and all other important papers in a wa- terproof container in a safe spot and backup any elec- tronic devices. Data should be stored at an off-site loca- tion so it can be recovered if devices are damaged during a hurricane. Take time now to get prepared SHUTTERSTOCK Plan ahead to make sure you have all the supplies you need for your home, family and pets. • WIND MITIGATION AND 4 POINT INSURANCE INSPECTIONS • MOLD AND RADON TESTING - POOL WATER LOSS DETECTION - SEWER PIPE INSPECTIONS • PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE INSPECTIONS - FINAL WALK THRU'S - 11 MONTH BUILDER WARRANTY INSPECTIONS • 14 PLUS INSPECTORS AND OVER 20,000 INSPECTIONS COMPLETED Thank You Venice for Voting Us The Best Home Inspection Company 9 Years Straight! 941.493.4334 239-330-9910 SWFHomeInspections.com 2021 2021 adno=3845876-1 Serving Brandon to Naples for Over 19 Years 1930 Tamiami Trail South Venice FL. 34293 COME SEE US AT THE BUSINESS/HURRICANE EXPO AT THE PORT CHARLOTTE TOWN CENTER MALL SATURDAY MAY 21ST FROM 11-5