Helpful Tips for Any Stormy Weather in Southwest Florida

Dear SW Florida Residents and Neighbors, Hurricane season is upon us and preparing for potential storms in Southwest Florida is essential for the safety and well-being of residents and property owners. At Orchid Realty International, we prioritize your safety and are providing a list of ways to take precautions to protect yourself and your property. Let’s hope for an uneventful storm season and a wonderful summer ahead! STAY INFORMED KNOW YOUR ZONE Evacuations are more common than people realize. Make yourself familiar with your community’s evacuation zones, so you’ll know exactly when to evacuate should it come down to it. Remember: if a hurricane threatens your community and local officials say it’s time to evacuate, don’t hesitate – go. DOWNLOAD THE FEMA APP The FEMA app includes disaster resources, weather alerts, safety tips, and a new feature that will enable users to receive push notifications to their devices to prepare their homes and families for disasters. The app also provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, tips on how to survive disasters, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. FOLLOW TRUSTED NEWS SOURCES Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Monitor local news for hurricane watches and warnings in your area and follow the directions of local officials. Make sure you have a battery-operated or hand-crank radio available should the power go out. PREPARE THE HOME LOCATE YOUR HURRICANE SHUTTERS AND HARDWARE (if needed and available to you) If shutters are not easily located, please check the garage and any storage units ahead of any storm. If you are currently not in the home, it may be a good idea to have a contact (home watch or handyman) who knows where your hurricane protection is, so you are ready prior to a storm. Or you may elect to drop hurricane shutters/screens prior to leaving for the summer. BRING IN: Units without shutters must remove all furniture, grills, decorative wall fixtures, pool cleaning equipment, and potted plants from any open balcony, patio, or lanai. If you are bringing in plants, be sure you put them in large plastic bags to keep them from making stains on carpets or floors. If you are unable to bring in outside furniture, please bring in the cushions and put all furniture as close to the house as possible, away from the windows. Don’t forget to bring in all garbage receptacles, garden hoses (disconnected from hose bib), and yard decorations which may become missiles in a strong wind. OTHER: Landscaping: Ask your landscaper to cut down any coconuts or loose palm branches to prevent damage to your home caused by debris. Please try to utilize the garage (if applicable) to protect all vehicles. Clear gutters and storm drains to ensure they are working properly. Close and firmly lock all sliding glass doors, windows, shed doors, and storage cabinets. Place towels at the inside bottom of all doors leading to the balcony, patio, lanai, etc. to limit water intrusion. You may choose to use sandbags in front of any lower area door to help prevent water from coming through as well. Remove window AC units. Clean bathtubs and fill them with water in case water lines are damaged–Use this water for cleaning and to refill toilets as needed. Safeguard important documents: Protect important documents such as identification, insurance policies, and personal records. Keep them in a waterproof container or make digital copies and store them securely in the cloud. Document pre-existing damages: Before the hurricane, document any existing damages or issues in your rental unit. Take photographs or videos to establish a record of the property’s condition before the storm, which may be helpful for insurance claims later. Prepare for the loss of utility services. When possible, disconnect plugs or shut off the breaker prior to power surges/loss of power to limit appliance or electronic damage. Turn off the emergency water shut-off valve IF you are departing your home, which will help minimize damage to your home’s interior should a pipe burst. WATER It is recommended to have one gallon of water per person, per day, for at least three days for drinking and sanitation. FOOD Have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food—Don’t forget the can opener! OTHER: Extra cash, as credit cards will not work in the case of a power outage Portable radio and extra batteries Full tank of gas in your car Tire repair kits Fully charged cell phones Laundry washed Flashlight and extra batteries Candles and lighter First-Aid kit Bug Spray Sunscreen Coolers full of ice Whistle to signal for help Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities EMERGENCY KITS WATER It is recommended to have one gallon of water per person, per day, for at least three days for drinking and sanitation. FOOD Have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food—Don’t forget the can opener! OTHER: Extra cash, as credit cards will not work in the case of a power outage Portable radio and extra batteries Full tank of gas in your car Tire repair kits Fully charged cell phones Laundry washed Flashlight and extra batteries Candles and lighter First-Aid kit Bug Spray Sunscreen Coolers full of ice Whistle to signal for help Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities INSURANCE To ensure preparedness for hurricane season, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with your insurance policy. Taking the time to review and understand the details of your policy will help you make informed decisions and ensure adequate coverage in the event of a hurricane-related incident. By being knowledgeable about your policy, you can proactively address any gaps in coverage, update necessary information, and take appropriate steps to protect your property and belongings. Remember to reach out to your insurance provider for specific policy-related inquiries and guidance tailored to your needs. COMMUNICATION IS KEY! Planning on vacating the property during the storm? Please notify us in writing, along with your contact information, so we are aware and know how to contact you. Have damage due to the storm? Please notify Orchid Properties after the storm has passed if you experience any damage caused by the weather–photo documentation is appreciated. Please familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a hurricane hazard: Tropical Storm Watch  An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours. Hurricane Watch An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm-force winds. Tropical Storm Warning An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours Tropical Storm Watch  An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours. Tropical Depression  A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 38 mph (33 knots) or less. Tropical Storm  A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 39 mph (34 knots) to 73 mph (63 knots). Hurricane A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 74 mph (64 knots) or more. Storm Surge  An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide and can reach heights well over 20 feet and can span hundreds of miles of coastline. Storm Tide  The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge.   Remember, hurricane preparedness is an ongoing process. It is important to review and update your plans and supplies annually, well before the hurricane season begins. By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly enhance your safety and readiness during hurricane season.

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