Hurricane Preparedness | Edenfield Weather Operations Center

🌀 Before Hurricane Season

Review your household evacuation plan. Know where you would evacuate if ordered. Review homeowners or renters insurance. Photograph important property and belongings. Trim trees and remove loose outdoor hazards. Make a plan for pets. Sign up for Sumter County emergency alerts and notifications. Identify your home's safest interior room for severe weather. Check shutters, plywood, or other window protection and make sure supplies are ready. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed. Create a household communication plan and choose an out-of-area emergency contact. Make digital or waterproof copies of IDs, insurance policies, medical information, and other important documents.

🎒 Emergency Supplies

At least seven (7) days of drinking water. At least seven (7) days of nonperishable food. Manual can opener. Flashlights and extra batteries. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio. First-aid supplies. Prescription medications. Hygiene and sanitation supplies. Sunscreen, insect repellent and other Florida heat protection. Portable phone chargers or power banks. Pet food, water, medications and other pet supplies.

🎒

Build a Hurricane Kit

Not sure what belongs in your emergency kit? Use the official Ready.gov checklist to make sure your household has the supplies it may need before, during and after a hurricane.

View the Ready.gov Emergency Kit Guide →

⚠️ When a Storm Threatens

Monitor NHC and NWS advisories. Charge phones and backup batteries. Fuel vehicles. Secure outdoor furniture and loose items. Fill prescriptions early. Gather cash and important documents. Check flashlights, radios and batteries. Monitor local tornado watches and warnings as tropical weather approaches. Set refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings before possible power outages.

🚗 Evacuation

Know your evacuation destination. Pack a go-bag. Pack medications and medical supplies. Bring IDs, insurance papers and key documents. Prepare food, carriers and supplies for pets. Follow official evacuation instructions. Check Sumter County shelter information if local shelters are activated.

🏠 Sheltering in Place

Bring pets inside before conditions deteriorate.
Lock doors and windows.
Close curtains and blinds.
Identify a safe interior room away from windows.
If a tornado warning is issued, move immediately to a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
Keep phones and backup batteries charged.
Stay inside until officials say conditions are safe.

🌤️ After the Storm

Avoid downed power lines.
Never drive or walk through floodwater.
Photograph property damage when it is safe to do so.
Follow official re-entry instructions.
Use generators outdoors and away from doors, windows and vents.
Check on neighbors when conditions are safe.
Watch for heat-related illness during extended power outages.
Avoid damaged trees, hanging limbs and unstable structures.

🌀 Edenfield Weather Operations Center

Florida Hurricane Preparedness