Evacuations for Hurricane Milton have been ordered in Florida for counties on the West Coast. Here’s what evacuees should be gathering and packing ahead of the storm.
Hurricane Milton has left West Coast Floridians scrambling as some residents have already evacuated.
On Monday, Hurricane Milton strengthened from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 5 hurricane with winds predicted to reach 180 mph, FOX Weather reported.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that Milton poses an “extremely serious threat” to Florida with life-threatening impacts.
“It’s worth emphasizing that this is a very serious situation, and residents in Florida should closely follow orders from their local emergency management officials”, the NHC advised on Tuesday.
Residents can check their evacuation status and flood zone risks on county websites, official social media accounts and FloridaDisaster.org’s “Know Your Zone” map, which is run by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Hurricane and disaster preparation experts recommend having basic emergency supplies and “go-bags” ready before severe weather or natural hazard arrives.
While residents in hurricane zones may have prepared emergency supplies that’ll last if they’re sheltering at home, here’s a list of items that should be stashed away in go-bags if an evacuation has been ordered for a hurricane or another catastrophic disaster. Hurricane evacuation go-bags: What to pack?
The U.S. Department of State recommends packing five item categories in a go-bag: money, medical items, personal belongings, documentation and optional weather gear.
Money:
– ATM cards and credit cards
– Checkbook
– Multiple currencies if evacuating from a foreign port
– Safe deposit keys
– Government travel card if applicable to eligible government workers
Medical items:
– Medical and dental records
– Immunization cards
– Glasses and contact lenses (with carrying case and cleaning solution)
– Prescription medications
– Over-the-counter medications
– Small first aid kit
Personal belongings:
– Clothing
– Toys and games
– Pet items
– Cell phone
– Chargers for all electronics
– Small toiletry kit
Food and water:
– Snacks
– Water
Documentation:
– Passport(s) and visas if evacuating from a foreign port
– Marriage, birth, adoption and naturalization certificates
– State Department ID (applicable to government workers only)
– Driver’s license and/or state ID
– Auto insurance policies, registrations and title if applicable
– Power of attorney and will
– School records
– Pet records
– Household effects inventory
Optional weather gear:
In flood-prone areas, evacuees might want to consider:
– Rain gear
– Insect repellant
– TarpPurchasing a go-bag
With hurricane evacuations being time-sensitive, some might opt to purchase go-bags or additional items for their already-packed go-bags as they make their way to safer zones where evacuations haven’t been mandated.
