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Home > Information > Disaster Preparation

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

Donna Sheehan
Communications/Marketing

Division Director

dsheehan@mywinterhaven.com

Joy Townsend
Public Information Officer
jtownsend@mywinterhaven.com

RELATED LINKS:

City Directory

Fire Services

- Emergency Management

Image: City of Winter Haven, The Chain of Lakes City

Hurricane Preparedness/Personal Plan:

Be prepared to live for at least three days with no assistance from outside sources.

Pre-Storm Planning:

Decide if you are going to buy shutters or plywood to cover windows (have professionals install or do it yourself). If you choose plywood, precut and mark the location of each plywood sheet. Plywood must be anchored on the outside of the window. Determine if garage door needs reinforcement. The northeast quadrant of a hurricane is the strongest; therefore, the southwest side of your home will be the area you really need to protect.

Videotape the contents of your home, garage and landscape for insurance purposes. Store in your safe deposit box at your bank or in the emergency box you are going to prepare.

Gather important documents such as deeds, titles, stock certificates, wills, birth certificate, military and adoption records, credit card and bank account numbers, insurance policies and anything else that would be difficult to replace. Store in a large, waterproof envelope, ready to place in your emergency box.

If you live in an evacuation zone or in a mobile home, decide where you are going and determine how you will get there ( avoid the Interstate). If you are going to go to the home of relatives or friends, discuss your plans with them and determine what you need to bring.

Check with other relatives in the area for information about their evacuation/preparation plans. This will be very important if you are not in an evacuation zone and your relatives are! Your home may become their refuge. If that is the case, you will need to have more supplies, etc. Only those in evacuation zones or in mobile homes should go to a shelter. The safest place to be is your own secured home.

Determine what you will do with your pets, especially if you are evacuating. Pets are not allowed in shelters.

Buy plastic storage boxes with handles and secure lids to serve as your emergency boxes and fill with the suggested supply list. Review the hurricane preparation guide from the newspaper or from the internet before you go on your shopping trip. Add any items you think are necessary to provide for your family.

Save and clean a variety of two-liter bottles (not milk jugs). Begin to stockpile enough water to provide one gallon a day for each family member and enough to last at least a week. Once a storm is approaching, fill remainder of bottles.

Store a week’s supply of canned or packaged food that won’t spoil. Do the same for your pets.

10.

If you are staying in your home, determine where the safest spot is – an inside walled area with no windows. An inside bathroom, underneath stairs or a hallway are examples of inside walled areas.

Storm Approaching:

This list indicates what needs to be taken care of and by whom when a storm is approaching:

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Bring in everything not attached to the house.

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Fill clean, two-liter bottles with water and place in the freezer.

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Make and store ice.

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Stock up on supplies (See grocery list).

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Get cash – ATMs will not work without electricity.

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Get medication refilled – have a 30-day supply.

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Charge all cell phone batteries.

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Fill car with gas, check oil, tires, etc

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Gather additional radios and flashlights; verify battery needs.

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Put games/toys/cards for children in the emergency box.

When A Storm is Going to Hit:

This list indicates what needs to be completed and by whom when a storm is going to hit:

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Board windows with shutters or pre-cut plywood.

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Get two extra outfits of clothing for every person (including shoes and underwear); place in a plastic bag in your safe area.

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Fill large, clean trash cans with water and store in garage.

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Gather pillows, small mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets and lawn chairs in the secure area. Small mattresses can be used to protect your family from debris if the roof goes.

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Put emergency box in secure area.

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Clean bathtub thoroughly; clean again with plain bleach. Seal bathtub drain with silicone caulking to hold the water. Fill the tub with water and add some plain bleach. It may be handy to have thick plywood cut to fit over tub so you could use that area to sit on or for storage of supplies.

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Turn freezer and refrigerator to coldest setting. Fill every area in freezer with two-liter ice bottles made earlier or pack with ice in Ziploc bags.

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Unplug TV, VCR sound system, computer, etc.

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Gather lanterns and extra oil – do not light during high winds.

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Put picture albums and special memorabilia in plastic bags.

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Turn off irrigation system.

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Gather water and food and take to the safe area or store in an inside closet that should be safe (i.e., linen closet).

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If you have a gun, unload it and store it with ammunition inside a closet.

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Detach propane tank from gas grill and put in a secure place inside garage.

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Boat owners: If your boat is on a trailer, tie it down or move it inside the garage. If moored, follow procedure for securing the boat in the newspaper hurricane guide or from the internet.

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Pool owners: Cover the pool pump filter and super-chlorinate the pool.

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Turn off the gas and electricity to your house.

Emergency Box:

Suggested Contents:

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Ziploc bags with important papers – house and car insurance policies, copies of social security cards, birth certificates, passports, wills, etc.

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One flashlight for each family member with batteries stored outside the flashlight to avoid corrosion

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Spare batteries for radio, flashlights, etc., as well as things like hearing aids

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Cheap camera and film to take pictures of damage for the insurance company

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Basic tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, pliers, wrench and nails

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First aid kit

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Water treatment pills (available at camping supply stores)

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Small bottle of plain bleach

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Lots of plastics of various sizes

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Personal hygiene/comfort needs

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Mosquito netting and repellent

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Non-electric can opener

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Designated radio and batteries (stored outside the radio)

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Medium-sized cooking pot and skillet that can be used on a grill

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Cooking implements

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Charcoal and wooden matches sealed in plastic bags

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Paper cups and plates

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Plastic eating utensils

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Paper towels, toilet paper, pre-moistened towelettes

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Candles and matches in sealed plastic bags

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Plastic sheeting

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An air horn – Makes a loud blast that can be heard for great distances; if you’re trapped in your house, you can let people know you’re there.

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Instant flat-tire sealer – roads may be littered with glass and debris after a storm.

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Pet food and medication

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Oven mitts

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A wind-up clock

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Duct tape

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Spray paint – you may paint your house number and names of insurance carrier on the side of your home to attract the attention of insurance adjusters.

Grocery List:

Think: What will my family eat?
What is ready to eat or can be heated on the grill?
What will not require refrigeration after opening?

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Juices in individual containers

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Dried milk

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Gatorade

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Canned meats

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Canned fruit

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Canned vegetables

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Peanut butter

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Jelly

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Granola bars

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Raisins

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Applesauce – individual containers

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Pudding – individual containers

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Soup

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Bread

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Cereal

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Instant coffee or tea

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Apples

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Bananas

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Crackers and cookies

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH?

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Charcoal

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Charcoal fluid

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Matches

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Batteries

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Plastic bags

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Water

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Bleach (plain)

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Gas for the grill

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Infant/toddler items such as diapers, baby food and formula

After the Storm:

If you evacuated:

Once the storm passes and emergency workers have cleared the roads of trees, fallen power lines and completed rescue operations, you will be allowed to return to your home. Be careful driving if there roads remain flooded. You may be asked for identification to be allowed back into your neighborhood. This security is to prevent sightseeing and looting. Stay away from downed power lines, flooded streets and standing water.

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Check for obvious damage and potentially dangerous situations, such as unstable walls or ceiling materials and broken glass.

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If you smell gas, open windows and leave immediately.

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If you have power, check for signs of electrical damage, such as sparks or frayed wires.

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Take photographs of damage; then make temporary repairs if needed, such as patching holes in the roof or walls and covering broken windows.

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Keep all receipts for temporary repairs.

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If there is water in your house, try to get as much out as possible, then make sure the home is well ventilated.

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Clean wet clothing and furniture as soon as possible.

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Dry metal objects like drapery rods and appliances, then coat them with a light layer of oil to prevent rust.

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Have any electrical appliance exposed to water serviced before using it.

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Do an inventory of any damaged or missing possessions. Don’t throw away any items you believe are a total loss before your insurance adjuster sees them.

Source: Neil Johnson, The Tampa Tribune; Hurricane Guide 2000; June 1, 2000; Page 11

Portable Electric Generator Safety Tips:

Portable electric generators offer great benefits when outages affect your home. Below are safety guidelines for connecting and operating portable generators.

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Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring. A generator that is directly connected to your home's wiring can 'back-feed' the power lines connected to your home. Utility transformers can then "step-up" or increase this back-feed to thousands of volts—enough to kill a utility lineman. The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch.

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Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet. Plugging a generator into a regular household outlet can energize "dead" power lines and injure neighbors or utility workers. Connect individual appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with the appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.

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Don't overload the generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Prioritize your needs.

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Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. A portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Only operate it outdoors in a well--ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home; protected from direct exposure to rain, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport. Installation of a carbon monoxide detector in your home is strongly suggested.

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Use the proper power cords. Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Don't use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding

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Read and adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation. Carefully read and observe all instructions in your portable electric generator's owner's manual. Consult your manufacturer's manual for correct grounding procedures.

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Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it's running. Gasoline should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled safety containers. Put out all flames or cigarettes when handling gasoline. Always have a fully-charged, approved fire extinguisher located nearby. Never attempt to refuel a portable generator while it's running.

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Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.

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Keep children away from portable electric generators at all times.

After the Storm Clean Up:

After the storm has passed and the waters have receded, it's time to assess the damage and clean up the mess. The American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency offer the following tips for cleaning your house after a hurricane.

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The walls, floors, closets, shelves, contents — every flooded part of your house — should be thoroughly washed and disinfected. Some projects, such as washing clothes, may have to wait until all the utilities are restored. Others may be best done by professionals.

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The Red Cross will often distribute cleanup kits after a disaster. These contain many useful items such as a broom, mop, bucket, and cleaning supplies.

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Supplies to have on hand include brooms, mops, brushes, buckets, hose, rubber gloves, rags, cleaner; disinfectants, lubricating oil, trash bags and a hair dryer.

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Household cleaning products will do the job if used correctly. Check the label for directions and special precautions. Follow directions and all safety precautions on the container.

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After cleaning a room or item, go over it again with a disinfectant to kill the germs and smell left by the floodwaters.

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Tackle one room at a time. A two-bucket approach is most efficient. Use one bucket for rinse water and the other for the cleaner. Rinse out your sponge, mop or cleaning cloth in the rinse bucket. Wring it as dry as possible and keep it rolled up tight as you put it in the cleaner bucket. Let it unroll to absorb the cleaner. Using two buckets keeps most of the dirty rinse water out of your cleaning solution. Replace the rinse water frequently.

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Start cleaning a wall at the bottom or where the worst damage was. If you have removed the wallboard or plaster, wash the studs and sills and disinfect them.

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If you taped your windows before the storm, clean the tape off as soon as possible. The sun will bake the adhesive into the glass. And next time, don't bother taping the windows. You don't get much protection for all that effort.

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Don't try to force open swollen wooden doors and drawers of furniture. Take the back off and let the air circulate. You should be able to open drawers after they dry.

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Upholstered furniture soaks up contaminants from floodwaters and should be cleaned only by a professional. This is also true of carpets and bedding.

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There's an unexpected danger of shock with some electrical appliances such as TV sets and radios. Certain internal parts store electricity even when the appliance is unplugged. Check the back for a warning label. Appliances with such labels will need professional cleaning.

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Clean and disinfect dishwashers, washing machines and dryers with water that has been declared safe for drinking. Make sure the sewer line is working before starting a dishwasher or washing machine.

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Watch for stripped or damaged wire insulation. Be sure all appliances are properly grounded. This is most important if there was damage to the wiring from the flood or during cleaning. Appliances that must be grounded have a round third prong on their plugs.

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Refrigerators and freezers can be complicated. They may have foam insulation and sealed components that suffered little water damage. These appliances hold food, so they should be cleaned, disinfected and checked by a professional or replaced.

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Even if your washing machine did not get wet, do not use it until you know that the water is safe enough to drink and that your sewer line works.

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Before you wash clothes in a washing machine, run the machine through one full cycle. Be sure to use hot water and a disinfectant or sanitizer.

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Take clothes and linens outdoors and shake out dried mud or dirt before washing. Hose off muddy items to remove all dirt before putting in the washer.

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Throw out soft plastic and porous items that probably absorbed whatever the floodwaters carried in. Floodwaters are contaminated, so you may want to wash dishes by hand in a disinfectant. Air dry the disinfected dishes; do not use a dish towel.

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Like the washing machine, the dishwasher should also be used only after you know your water is safe to drink and your sewer line works. Clean and disinfect it first. Then use a hot setting to wash your pots, pans, dishes and utensils. If you have an energy saving setting, do not use it.

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Valuable papers such as books, photographs and stamp collections can be restored with a great deal of effort. They can be rinsed and frozen (in a frost-free freezer or commercial meat locker) until you have time to work on them. A slightly less effective alternative to preserving an item is to place items in a sealed container, such as a plastic bag with moth crystals.

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Papers should be dried quickly when they are thawed or unsealed (a blow dryer will do). Don't try to force paper products apart, just keep drying them. Photocopy valuable papers and records soon, because substances in the water may make them deteriorate.

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If a computer disk or tape has valuable information, rinse it in clear water and put it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Later, you can take it to a professional drying center and have the data transferred to a good disk or tape. Many companies that specialize in restoring computers and computer records after a disaster are members of the Disaster Recovery Institute. To find a member company near you, you can call the Institute at (314) 434-2272.

Source: American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency

Storm/Flood Recovery-Clean Up:

Storm/Flooding Recovery: Choosing Cleaning Products

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Cleaners:

First choice: Non-sudsing household cleaners

Second choice: Laundry soap or detergent

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Disinfectants:

First choice: Commercial disinfectants or sanitizers, such as quaternary, phenolic or pine oil based ones. (Check labels for the contents)

Second choice: 1 cup (2 ounces) of laundry bleach for 1 gallon of water

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Mildew removers:

First choice: Commercial mildew removers or mildewicides

Second choice: Washing soda or tri-sodium phosphate (available at grocery or paint stores). Use 5 tablespoons per gallon of water

Third choice: 1 cup (2 ounces) of laundry bleach for 1 gallon of water

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Bleach:

Liquid chlorine bleach, such as Clorox or Purex bleach can do a variety of flood clean up jobs. Make sure that 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite is the only active ingredient. Bleach that has a scent added to improve its smell is available. Scented bleach is fine for cleanup jobs but don't use it to treat drinking water. Don't use dry bleach or any bleach that does not contain chlorine.

Be careful of fumes and wear rubber gloves. Read the safety instructions on the label. Do not mix bleach with other household chemical products, especially ammonia or toilet bowl cleaner; the chemical reaction can create a poisonous gas. Do not use bleach on aluminum or linoleum.

Source: American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency

Hurricane Recovery Info Phone List:

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Agricultural and Consumer Services – (800) 435-7352

American Red Cross - (863) 294-5941 or (866) 438-4636
Attorney General Price Gouging Hotline – (800) 646-0444
Bartow Electric – (863) 534-0134

Bellsouth Telephone - 6-1-1 or (800) 216-5688
Bright House Cable – (863) 965-7766
Central Florida Hotel Hotline – (407) 354-5555

City of Winter Haven Emergency Operations’ Center – (863) 298-4486

(Available only during emergency activation)

City of Winter Haven Fire Department – (863) 291-5665 (Emergency Dial 911)
City of Winter Haven Leisure and Environmental Services – (863) 291-5656
City of Winter Haven Police Department – (863) 291-5858 (Emergency Dial 911)
City of Winter Haven Public Services Department – (863) 291-5756
City of Winter Haven Water Plant – (863) 291-5767; 291-5768

Comcast – (800) 266-2278
Department of Insurance – (800) 227-8676
Elder Services – (800) 963-5337
FEMA Registration – (800) 621-3362 TTY: (800) 462-7585
Florida Department of Children and Families – (863) 291-5255
Florida Storm Damage Emergency Loan Assistance – (800) 227-8676
For up to date info on local emergencies - (863) 534-0321, (866) 661-0228 Toll Free
Health Care Services – (863) 519-8330
Peace River Electric Cooperative – (800) 282-3824
Polk County Animal Services - (863) 499-2600

Polk County Emergency Management Office (Bartow) – (863) 534-5600

Citizen Information Line – (863) 534-0321

(Available only during emergency activation)

Polk County Solid Waste – (863) 284-4319
Salvation Army – (863) 291-5107
Special Care Shelter Information – (863) 534-6704
Special Medical Needs - (863) 534-5606
Sprint Telephone - 6-1-1 or (800) 788-3600
State of Florida Emergency Info 24-hour hotline – (800) 342-3557
State of Florida Dept. of Financial Services Hotline - (800) 227-8676
Stray or Distressed Animal Hotline – (863) 519-8974, ext.123
Tampa Electric – (888) 223-0800 or (863) 299-0800
United Way of Central Florida – (863) 648-1500
Verizon – (800) 483-1000, Ext. 221

Disaster Relief:

Anyone with property damage resulting from a hurricane needs to register for disaster relief with FEMA. Please call toll free 1 – 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. This phone call will take approximately 25 minutes to complete. They will ask for your Social Security number, your home address, your household income and your insurance agents’ name. Visit www.FEMA.com for further information.

Insurance Hotlines:

Acuity: (800) 242-7666
Allstate: (800) 54-STORM or (800) 547-8676
American Skyline Insurance Co.: (888) 298-5224
American International Group: (800) 433-8880 (auto & home)
Atlantic Mutual: (800) 945-7461
Bituminous: (800) 822-2905 (Florida)
Church Mutual: (800) 554-2642
Citizens Property Insurance Corp.: (888) 685-1555
CHUBB: (800) CLAIMS-0 or (800) 252-4670
CNA: (877) 733-4250
CUNA Mutual: (800) 637-2676
Farmers: (800) 435-7764
Fireman's Fund: (888) FIRE-HAT or (888) 347-3428
GE Employers: (866) 413-8978
GEICO: (800) 841-3005
The Hartford: (800) 243-5860
Holyoke Mutual: (800) 225-2533
Industrial Risk Insurers: (860)520-7347 (commercial claims)
Liberty Mutual: (800) 2-CLAIMS or (800) 225-2467
Louisiana Farm Bureau: (866) 275-7322
Metropolitan Auto & Home: (800) 854-6011
Nationwide: (800) 421-3535
OneBeacon: (877) 248-4968
Royal & Sun Alliance: (800) 847-6925
SAFECO: (800) 332-3226
Selective: (866) 455-9969
Shelter Insurance Group: (800) SHELTER
St. Paul Travelers: (800) CLAIM-33 or (800) 252-4633
State Farm Insurance: (800) SF-CLAIM or (800) 732-5246
Texas Farm Bureau: (800) 772-6535
USAA: (800) 531-8222

Documents/Downloads:

Following are some helpful documents/downloads from various sources:

City of Winter Haven Info:

Emergency Resource Guide (PDF: 77KB)

Winter Haven Insider Citizen Newsletter, Summer 2006
(PDF: 285KB)

Flooding Information:

Key Facts About Flood Readiness (PDF: 100KB)
Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Key Facts About Flood Recovery (PDF: 106KB)
Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Hurricane Health and Safety:

During or After A Disaster (PDF: 34KB)
Source: US Fire Administration-FEMA

Key Facts About Hurricane Readiness (PDF: 81KB)
Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Protection from Electrical Hazards (PDF: 132KB)
Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Safety in a Power Outage (PDF: 125KB)
Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Animal and Pet Information:

Disaster Planning for Animals: Forms (PDF: 300KB)
Source: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

Disaster Preparation for Horses (PDF: 15KB)
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture: Consumer Services

Disaster Preparation for Livestock (PDF: 22KB)
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture: Consumer Services

Disaster Preparation for Pets (PDF: 22KB)
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture: Consumer Services

Saving the Whole Family (PDF: 1.32MB)
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)