Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness for Families

Hernando County sits on Florida's Gulf coast. Storm season runs from June through November, and the households that do worst are the ones that start preparing when the forecast appears.

This is an independent informational guide. It is not a government agency, a service provider, or a nonprofit, and it is not affiliated with any organization that previously used this domain. Program rules change — always confirm details with the official source before acting.

Register before the season

Florida counties maintain a special needs registry for residents who require assistance during an evacuation — people dependent on electricity for medical equipment, those with limited mobility, and others who cannot evacuate unassisted. Registration is done in advance through the county emergency management office. It cannot be arranged once a storm is named.

Know your zone

Evacuation orders are issued by zone, not by address in isolation. Look up your evacuation zone and your home's flood risk now, and write both on the refrigerator. Sign up for the county's emergency alerts.

A kit that accounts for children

• A week of water and non-perishable food, and a manual can opener.
• Prescription medication with a written list of doses.
• Infant formula, nappies and comfort items for young children.
• Copies of identity, insurance, custody and medical documents in a sealed bag, plus photographs of them on a phone.
• Cash in small notes; card systems fail when power does.
• Chargers, a battery bank and a torch for each person.

Pets

Not every shelter takes animals. Identify the pet-friendly shelter for your county in advance and know what it requires — usually a carrier and proof of vaccination.

After the storm

Disaster food assistance may open after a federally declared disaster, with different rules from ordinary SNAP; watch official county and state channels for the application window, which is short. Photograph damage before clearing it, and be wary of unlicensed contractors going door to door.