Hurricane Season is June 1st through November 15th.  While a lot of experts give predictions every year of how many storms there will be in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico, no one knows for sure when one will affect you, your family and your property.  High winds, storm surges, heavy rainfall and severe flooding are just some of the threats a hurricane can produce. 

Lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common elements among all major hurricane disasters. Know your evacuation areas - monitor the storm with a NOAA battery operated radio in case of power loss - have emergency supplies on hand including drinking water, nonperishable foods, first aid kits, flashlights and batteries, diapers, formula and baby bottles, etc. - obtain cash for post hurricane supplies - have plenty of gasoline in your cars, protect or relocate vital records, documents and equipment - install shutters or plywood over all windows or doors; these are just some of the items to have on your preparedness checklist. 

Below are some links and phone numbers which may be helpful before and after a hurricane occurs.  Free Hurricane brochures are available in most stores throughout your area.

http://www.floridadistaster.org

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/HurricaneLinkTips.htm

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml

http://www.redcross.org

American Red Cross Missing Persons (877) 568-3317

National Hurricane Center (800) 621-3362

Fl Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services  (800) 435-7352

Fl Dept of Financial Services Consumer Help Line (800) 342-2762; TDD (800) 640-0886

Florida Division of Emergency Management (800) 320-0519

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) (888) 356-6329

Traffic Information (travel updates) 511 from cell phones

Need to make a claim?

Here are two websites you may want to bookmark if severe weather damages your home or business. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website includes a database of all insurers: http://www.floir.com/CompanySearch.

Floridians
MyFlorida.com - Florida's official state Web site - lists national and state resources for insurance and emergency contacts. Also, download the state's Get a Plan checklist from 

http://www.floridadisaster.org/

Department of Health and Human Services
Extensive information from the federal government on preparation and recovery.

http://www.hhs.gov/ or http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/ 

HUD
Access information - in English or Spanish - that focuses on after-storm recovery.

http://www.hud.gov/katrina/citizens.cfm

FEMA
Official site for posting federal disaster areas and other news on the national government's relief efforts.

http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm