JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — You secured your house and assembled your hurricane disaster kit, but the hurricane has arrived and is bearing down on you. Now what? It’s important to know how to face the elements when sheltering from a storm in your home.
Make sure your shelter or safe place is away from water. If you’re at risk of storm surge or rainfall flooding, get to higher ground away from flood-prone areas or bodies of water.
Evacuate if you’re told to do so, but never drive through floodwaters. A foot of water can sweep a car away. There’s no way to know if the road itself has collapsed when hidden by water or what other dangers might lurk in the water.
If your house becomes flooded while you’re inside, get higher. If the highest level of your house starts flooding, get on the roof and call 911. Keep an axe nearby in case you need to punch a hole from the attic to the roof.
Make sure your shelter or safe place is away from wind. To protect yourself from wind, put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. An interior room without windows is the safest spot. Similar to a tornado warning, you can wear a helmet or cover yourself with a mattress for extra protection.
Remember winds can be stronger higher above ground level, so high-rise buildings have a greater risk.
Have ways to receive weather alerts. You can turn on notifications from the First Coast News app and stream our live coverage on First Coast News+. Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone. Have a charged weather radio. Always pay attention to the latest forecast because things can change quickly and the smallest shift in track can make a big difference.
Remember impacts can be felt far from the coast. Tornadoes and inland freshwater flooding are possible well inland. This is important not only for inland residents to remember, but also for coastal residents who have evacuated inland. Don’t let your guard down just because you’re farther from the ocean.
Remember, have ways to receive tornado warnings, and never drive through flood water.