It’s that time of year again, hurricane season, designated annually as June 1 through November 30. This year, it’s extra important to be prepared because according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 60 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin. But don’t panic! Below, we cover ways to stay safe, with specific advice for those who live in Indian River County.
The very first thing you should do is sign up for text and phone alerts with your local emergency services. In Indian River County you can do this by visiting ircgov.com/emergencyservices and clicking on ‘Alert Indian River Emergency Notification System.’ You can also follow Indian River County Emergency Services on Facebook and X (@IndianRiverEOC) for the most recent updates.
I. What to Prepare Ahead of Time in Case of a Hurricane.
Make sure you have:
- An emergency food and water supply. Nonperishables are strongly advised, such as peanut butter and energy bars. If you have a camping stove, you can add soup to the mix.
- An emergency medicine supply.
- Emergency power sources such as a few flashlights (don’t forget extra batteries).
- Safety and personal items that you cannot do without. These include medications, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol, and clean masks for yourself and your family.
- Important documents, including medical documents, wills, passports and personal identification.
- A fire extinguisher.
- Vaccines: consider staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, particularly if you are immunocompromised, as this will minimize your chance of contracting (or spreading) the disease.
- A generator: if you use a generator, make sure you take measures to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
In addition to the above, the Red Cross advises that if you’re asked to evacuate by local authorities, you should heed their advice and go to a safe place. To ensure you’ll find safe shelter, it’s important you plan in advance. Be sure to inquire about local shelters and/or other places you could seek refuge and how you will get there. Please note that mobile/manufactured/trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot provide safe shelter from hurricane winds or tropical storms.
II. Special Needs:
If you have special needs, you should go to a local special-needs shelter. To ensure you get a space, complete the special-needs application ahead of time. You can find the application for Indian River County by visiting the special-needs section of www.Ircgov.com. Please note that the Emergency Management Division of Indian River County has to approve and register all potential people for the shelter and this process takes time, so be sure to fill out the form ASAP.
III. For Pet Owners:
Indian River County has designated Liberty Magnet School at 6850 81st Street in Vero Beach as the county’s pet-friendly evacuation shelter. The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County will manage the shelter. Please note that you must bring an animal crate sizeable enough to comfortably accommodate a place for your pet to sleep, a litter pan and a place where your pet can eat and drink. In addition, you’ll need to show proof of a current rabies vaccination as well as a county license, if applicable. Be sure to get to the shelter early as space is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To expedite the process, it’s recommended that you complete the registration form (which you can find on the Indian River County website) before entering the shelter, although it’s not mandatory to prepare it in advance. For additional questions, call the Humane Society at 772-388-3331.
IV. If you have any concerns during or after the hurricane be sure to keep checking Indian River County’s emergency services website (again, it’s ircgov.com/emergencyservices). This website will include additional emergency shelters if there are any available. Last year, United Against Poverty (UP) in Vero Beach was a focal point for emergency services during and immediately after the hurricane, helping out residents of Indian River County in key ways, including with food and clothing, and in a few cases, temporary shelter. United Against Poverty is located at 1400 27th Street in Vero Beach, Florida.
This information is for educational purposes. Please consult your physician regarding any medical issues. The Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast (VNA) is committed to bringing trusted and quality home health, private care and hospice to Indian River County patients. For more information about VNA services, call 772-567-5551 or visit www.vnatc.com.
