- April 25, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Storm preparations should be done well in advance of possible storms, the county said.
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
The 2013 hurricane season began June 1, and the area has already seen some of the effects of the season’s first tropical storm.
Residents are encouraged to be proactive in their storm preparations, and Jim Judge, director of Volusia County’s emergency management division, said small preparations can make a big difference.
Aside from having food and water for every member in the home, Judge recommends stocking up on medication (prescription and over-the-counter) as well as batteries, contact lenses and hearing-aid supplies. It’s these things that can make weathering the storm easier, Judge said.
The it-won’t-happen-to-me attitude, Judge said, is among the biggest mistakes people can make — that, along with not wanting to tackle the large task of putting together a storm disaster supply kit.
If residents make a list of needs for their disaster supply kit and pick up a few items each time they run errands, they won’t have to deal with the rush of people at stores as a storm is approaching.
Additionally, Judge said residents should board up their windows instead of taping them.
“Don’t tape your windows,” he said. “You always see people that tape duct tape and put big criss-crosses across the windows. It does nothing. In fact, if it breaks, now you have big pieces of glass held together with duct tape.”
Another rumor Judge wanted to dispel was if wind is blowing from one direction, residents should open doors or windows on the other side to relieve pressure. He said that was wrong and could be dangerous.
“Close the house up tight,” he said. “Don't open windows on the other side to remove pressure. Once wind gets in, the chances of the roof coming off increases.”
Run from water and hide from wind, Judge said, is a good rule for residents to keep in mind during a storm.
What to have
The Volusia County Emergency Management division recommends residents put together a disaster supply kit.
Each home should have its own kit that includes a five-day supply of water, non-perishable food, medicine and other essentials for each person and pet in the home.
Drinking water per person, the county estimates, should be one gallon of water per day, and a half-gallon per day for pets.
Disaster kits should include food for three meals per day, per person, and be made up of nonperishable (canned or packaged) food. The special dietary needs of infants, the elderly or others should be taken into account.
Batteries for flashlights, camping lanterns and radios should also be included, but shouldn’t be kept in the devices, Judge said.
Shelters
After the county’s emergency management team has evaluated a storm and deemed it serious enough, shelters will open throughout the county.
The county will spread the word through media outlets if the shelters open, and which shelters will be opening. To preserve resources during a storm, shelters are opened in tiers, and additional shelters are opened as needed, Judge said.
The shelters in Ormond Beach, or closest to Ormond Beach, are as follows:
- Pine Trail Elementary, 300 Airport Road, Ormond Beach
- Pathways Elementary, 2100 Airport Road, Ormond Beach
- Champion Elementary, 921 Tournament Drive, Daytona Beach
- Mainland High School, 1255 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
- Campbell Middle School, 625 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach
