September is National Hurricane Preparedness Month

Volusia County Community Information

Disasters don’t plan ahead. You can, though. That’s the theme of
this year’s National Preparedness Month in September. During the
month, emergency officials encourage residents to take steps to be
prepared for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we
live, work and play. In Volusia County, two of our biggest threats
include tropical systems and lightning.

Tropical systems, whether a tropical depression or a hurricane, can
affect each of us a little differently – depending on where we live,
household size, medical situations and age. We all have in common,
though, three steps we can take to be more prepared:

• Step 1 – Create an emergency plan that includes details about
  where you would go if you had to evacuate, and share this information
  with family and friends.
• Step 2 – Have an emergency supply kit that includes food, water,
  special dietary and medical items.
• Step 3 – Stay informed by signing up to receive emergency
  telephone or email notifications from Volusia County Emergency
  Management, and follow the county on social media.

The other weather-related threat we face in Volusia County is
lightning. According to the National Weather Service, five people have
died this year from lightning in Florida. Like other weather-related
disasters, lightning can be something prepared for by tuning in to
weather reports and going indoors when thunder roars.

Other lightning safety tips include:

• At the first sound of thunder, immediately move to a safe shelter,
  even if it isn’t raining.
• Fully enclosed buildings provide the best protection. A car with a
  metal roof and the windows rolled up is also a safe place.
• Stay away from sheds, picnic shelters, tents and covered porches.
  They will not protect you from lightning.
• Remain in your safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the
  last sound of thunder.
• If you’re stuck outside with no safe shelter, move away from
  bodies of water and elevated areas. Never lie flat on the ground, and
  never shelter under an isolated tree.

Remember – September is National Preparedness Month, a time to be
more prepared when storms or lightning threaten our area.

For more information, visit www.volusia.org/emergency and follow on
Facebook and Twitter @VCEmergencyInfo