In a press conference last week, Governor Rick Scott stated, “Last year, our state was impacted by two hurricanes … We haven’t experienced something like this in over a decade. These hurricanes clearly heighten the awareness for everybody in our state about the need to be prepared, and the damage it can do to your house, or to your business and our economy.”
With so much at stake, a solid preparedness plan is important.
How To Prepare
Will you need to evacuate? Do you have pets? How much food and water will you need for an extended power and water outage?
The Hernando County Emergency Management website has great information to help you start planning and preparing to get through a major weather event unharmed, and to help mitigate property damage.
Comprehensive checklists for your family, pets and business are available. Download your necessary checklists here: http://www.hernandocounty.us/em/hurricane-checklists
Know Your Evacuation Status
Knowing if your home is in an evacuation zone is of primary importance. Before a storm is on track to affect your home, you can take early action to protect the building, and take your family to a safe location.
Under mandatory evacuation orders, if you live in a mobile home, or are staying in a recreational vehicle, you must evacuate regardless of where you are located in Hernando county. Keep in mind that evacuation zones are also areas which emergency first responders may be unable to reach during an active storm. Do not take unnecessary chances.
Hernando County Evacuation Zone Map
Protecting Your Home
Whether you evacuate or stay in your home during a storm, protect the structure by securing pre-built shutters and reinforcements according to manufacturer instructions. Alternatively, a do-it-yourself system of ½-inch-thick plywood can be used.
If flooding is likely, turn off the main electricity breaker and water valve. Follow manufacturer instructions for protecting pool pumps, irrigation systems and other non-standard home features. Turn off any electrical items if you should lose power.
If your home is not in an evacuation zone, and you choose to stay during a storm, identify a “Safe Room,” usually an interior, windowless reinforced room such as a closet or bathroom on the lower floor. Clean containers including your bathtub for storing water. Plan on three gallons per person, per day, for at least seven days for drinking and other uses. To pass time without power, make sure you have enjoyable “unplugged” activities such as games, toys and books available.
Even though you are in your home, prepare a “Go Kit” just in case, and store important paperwork in waterproof containers or a safe that can be carried.
Shelters
There are currently fourteen public shelters in Hernando county. One special needs shelter is available at the Challenger K-8 School located at 13400 Elgin Blvd in Spring Hill. Residents with special needs must register with the shelter in advance. Registration can be completed through Home Health Care or Oxygen Providers, Private Care Providers, Physician’s Offices or by contacting the Emergency Management Office at 352-754-4083. Once registered, you or your healthcare representative should renew your application every year. http://www.hernandocounty.us/em/assistance-program/special-needs
The pet-friendly shelter is D.S. Parrott Middle School, located at 19220 Youth Drive in Brooksville. No pre-registration is required, however, make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current, and prepare to provide proof of vaccination to the shelter when you arrive.
Shelter Listings:
• Challenger K-8 School 13400 Elgin Blvd., Spring Hill, 34609 (Special Needs – Registration Required)
• Deltona Elementary 2055 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, 34606
• Nature Coast Technical High School 4057 California St. , Brooksville, 34604
• Fox Chapel Middle School 9412 Fox Chapel Lane, Spring Hill, 34606
• Moton Elementary 7175 Emerson Road, Brooksville, 34601
• Chocachatti Elementary 4135 California St. , Brooksville, 34604
• Hernando High School 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville, 34601
• Springstead High School 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, 34609
• West Hernando Middle School 14325 Ken Austin Parkway, Brooksville, 34613
• Explorer K-8 School 10252 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, 34608
• Weeki Wachee High School 12150 Vespa Way, Weeki Wachee, 34614
• D.S. Parrott Middle School 19220 Youth Drive, Brooksville, 34601 (Pet Friendly)
• Winding Waters K-8 12240 Vespa Way, Weeki Wachee, 34614
• Central High School 14075 Ken Austin Parkway, Brooksville, 34613
Evacuation Routes
Nearly all major roads are designated evacuation routes. A complete map is available at http://www.hernandocounty.us/em/evacuation-information/evacuation-route-map
Major north-south routes are US Highway 19, US Highway 98, US Highway 41, and Interstate 75. The Veteran’s Expressway / FL 589 is a toll road that terminates at US 98 if you are northbound, and near Tampa International Airport if you are southbound.
Anyone living west of US Highway 19 will head to Cortez Blvd to US Highway 50 east or Osowaw Blvd to US 19, then to Spring Hill Drive to continue eastbound. Residents who live north of Highway 50, but west of 19, should consider Centralia Road to Citrus way in case of evacuation.