As hurricane season nears its peak on Sept. 10 and the National Hurricane Center continues monitoring potential storm systems in the Atlantic, it’s important for everyone at Florida Polytechnic University to make sure they are prepared. September is National Preparedness Month, and the annual campaign encourages all Americans to prepare for disasters and other emergencies through the end of hurricane season on Nov. 30 and beyond.
This checklist can help you make sure you are ready for anything.
Sign up or update your Florida Poly Alerts contact information to receive important messages if a hurricane or other serious event may affect Florida Poly. Florida Poly Alerts is the University’s the primary channel for emergency communication. Florida Poly email is used as a follow-up to the emergency alerts.
Make an emergency plan. Having a disaster plan in place can minimize confusion and worry during a disaster. Forbes has created an extensive checklist that can help you be prepared. Steps include knowing how you will shelter, evacuate, and communicate in the event of an emergency.
Create an emergency kit. The Florida Division of Emergency Management developed a guide to assist you in creating an emergency supplies kit to last you and your family for at least seven days.
Stay informed. In addition to listening to the battery-operated radio in your emergency kit, it’s important to monitor resources such as the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and local weather resources. You also can call 211 during a disaster to get information about emergency shelters, food distribution, grief counseling, clean up, and more.
For more local information, visit Polk County’s disaster preparedness website.
Monitor Florida Poly’s website and social media for important information that may affect you as storms approach throughout the season. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Visit the National Preparedness Month website for more information about preparing for a disaster long before one strikes.
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
