How to Stay Safe After a Hurricane: ServiceMaster by PWF Storm Damage Services

Information may not be reliable

Florida is no stranger to severe weather. Even hurricanes make their way to Florida and wreak havoc on homes and commercial properties. 

• Wood furniture
• Upholstery
• Electronics 
• Household appliances
• Plumbing equipment

• Stay inside until the storm has completely passed. 
  • It is critically important that you do not attempt to go outside until the winds have calmed down significantly.  Keep in mind, that unlike the start of the storm, there is now a ton of debris out there that can fly around a lot more easily.  This is where keeping your battery-operated radio functional is important, so you can hear from forecasters and local officials about when the threat has passed. 

• If you evacuated, do not return until local officials say you can. 
  • Depending on the severity of the storm, you may be better off staying where you are for a while.  There's a good chance you won't be able to make it back anyways with all the trees and power lines down.  Some areas, such as barrier islands, may have specific re-entry requirements.  Be sure to have your identification and proof of residency with you. 

• Conduct an initial damage assessment of your immediate area. 
  • When as safe as possible, take a look around your immediate area to make sure there are no continuing hazards such as: 
  • live power lines, 
  • gas leaks
  • If a hazardous condition exists, flee that area immediately.  Seek a safer location elsewhere.  Know where shut-off valves are for electricity, natural gas and water are and turn them off if needed. 

• Stay somewhere safe, refrain from sight-seeing. 
  • Even after the storm passes, there are many additional hazards that can harm you.  Many people are injured or killed walking or driving around after the storm.  Live power lines, gas leaks, dangling tree branches, flooding, damaged roadways, and dangerous wildlife can be life-threatening.  
  • Do not go sight-seeing unnecessarily; the added traffic may prevent essential personnel for getting people who need their help. 

• Attempt to contact your family or friends outside the area. 
  • As soon as possible, contact your family or friends outside the impact area to let them know your condition. 

• Stay tuned to local media and emergency officials. 
  • This will be a critical time for information about ongoing threats, conditions, and sources of assistance.  
  • Continue to follow the advice of emergency officials during this time. 

• Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until notified. 
  • Contamination of the water supply, particularly if you have an on-site well, is possible.  
  • Do not drink or prepare food with tap water, if functional, until notified by officials or until your well has been professionally inspected and tested.  
  • If there is low water pressure, refrain from bathing or using the water for any other purpose.  Water supplies should be reserved for fire fighting. 

• Help your neighbors, but refrain from venturing too far. 
  • Refrain from venturing too far from your safe space until authorized by local officials. However, if you are able, check in on your neighbors and lend assistance, if possible.  
  • Be careful to not exceed your knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Many well-intentioned volunteers have been injured or killed conducting tasks they are not qualified to do. 

• Do not grill or operate gasoline-powered machinery indoors. 
  • Carbon-monoxide poisoning sickens or kills many people long after the storm has passed.  This is often the result of using generators, charcoal grills, or other gasoline-power equipment in poorly ventilated areas. 

• Stay out of floodwaters. 
  • Playing in floodwaters might seem like fun.  However, they are many hidden dangers present.  There could be raw sewage, hazardous chemicals, bacteria, dangerous wildlife, and underwater hazards that could severely injure or kill you. 

• Refrain from using candles. 
  • Using candles is very dangerous, for obvious reasons.  Remember, the fire department may not be able to respond to put any fires out.

• You should save an emergency number of a water and storm damage restoration company in Northern Florida so that when these disasters happen, it will be easy to reach out to them. 
  • This is something you should do as quickly as possible, as the longer, you leave your property damaged, the more serious the damage will ultimately be. 
  • After a hurricane, your home may be left with a serious leak or with a wall missing which will result in the property getting wet and having dust, dirt, and debris blowing in. 
  • The sooner you deal with this, the less expensive this subsequent damage and mess will be.