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SPANISH   LAKES  COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE

SPECIAL HURRICANE EDITION

August  2009

 

 

THINGS TO DO NOW  -  NOT TOMORROW

 

Have a plan!!!

Get together your insurance papers, wills, medical papers, tittles  to cars and home etc and store them in a suitable container. Have jewelry and other valuables organized for quick packing.

Have up to a months supply of medicines on hand if possible.  If not then take prescriptions with you. 

If you have special needs fill out the form available at the Rec. Desk and send to the address as listed on form.

If you need transport only  fill out the special needs form as above.

Check out the location of the shelters and plan your route so no unnecessary delays occur.

Have hurricane shutters ready to use.  Install some as soon as storm forms.  This way you do not have a last minute rush.

Take pictures of your home, contents and valuables.  Put with your insurance papers.

Extra gas in suitable storage cans can be a life saver on the road.

Buy or Bottle three gallons of water for each person in the household.  This way when we have the 72 hour boil water notice - which is a certainty, you will be prepared.

Make sure you have a battery operated radio and enough flashlights and batteries on hand.

Have food supply on hand.

Make up a menu for meals that do not require refrigeration.  Spam, Canned meats & seafood, soups etc. noodles, cereals.  Look around  store - use imagination - shop now.

Prepare Meals  and freeze. These frozen meals can be used as ice packs in coolers then heated for consumption.

Packaged Milk both regular and 2% now in stores - does not require refrigeration until after opened.  Small individual servings available.

Purchase a small camp stove and gas canisters if you do not have a bar-b-que to cook on after the storm.  Walmart has a good selection.

FIX-A-Flat is great to have in the car.  Buy now.

 

 

THINGS TO DO AS STORM APPROACHES

 

If a hurricane or storm takes course toward our area, stay informed by radio and television.   Do not expect anyone to tell you when to leave the park.  TV. and radio will announce when mobile home - manufactured home parks need to evacuate.  Leave earlier rather than later. So many of us hesitate too long.

  WHEN IN DOUBT  GET OUT.

Roads fill up quickly.  That 2 hour trip down the road can take 12 during an evacuation.

Have cash - debit and credit card machines and ATM’s may not work for several days.

Plug-in/charge all battery operated devices and replace old batteries in non-chargeable devices.

Talk with your family either local or out of state and tell them of your plans.  If you are going to a hotel give the phone number to friends or family.  Remember hotels lose power also - be prepared. (Booking a hotel with a credit card as soon as a storm forms is advisable.  There is usually no cancellation fee).

Pack the car with all the essentials you have previously put together.  Have the car gassed and ready to go.   Remember restaurants and markets close during hurricanes either voluntarily of otherwise.

You should have water, non-perishable food and snacks for several days, manual can opener, utility knife, cooler, 1st aid kit.

Put up remaining hurricane shutters and bring in all outside furniture and loose fixings.

If not turning off power turn fridge and freezer to highest setting and unplug all unnecessary electrical appliances.

Suggestion: Store all food  from fridge and freezer in garbage bags and replace on shelves.

This way if power is lost clean up is way less smelly and messy. .  OR  

Turn off power

Turn off water at main shut off valve.

Hint -  If you run out of bottled water remember there is water in your hot water tank.

Call shelters to check on opening times and to find out what they require you to bring.  Shelters should almost be a last resort.  If you are staying with a host family let them know you are on the way.

If evacuation order is issued for area ALL manufactured home residents must evacuate.

Remember to have valid identification so you will be let back into the park.  Drivers license, Florida I.D etc.  Without this you may have trouble getting back into SLCCV.

 

 THINGS TO DO AFTER THE STORM

 

First,  remember that most injuries occur during the recovery period so stay safe. Police and medical services may not be that readily available.

Stay tuned to local radio stations for information and return home only after authorities advise it is safe to do so. 

If possible let relative know your location and that you are safe.

Stay out of high water either when on foot or in a vehicle.

Re-entry to the Village will be controlled by the authorities so please have identification with you showing you are a legal owner and or resident.  Entry will be restricted to residents to prevent looting.  Be prepared to show your I.D.

In SLCCV the water and sewer plants will be running on generators as soon as the storm has passed.  The Service Office and Longevity room will be manned as soon as phone service is available.

Mandatory 72 hour boil water notice after plants come back on line.  This is where your bottled water is needed.  A sign will be posted at the park entrance telling when it is no longer necessary to use boiled or bottled water.

The club house will open as soon as the park opens - without power it will be for information only and hopefully coffee.

Do not depend on clubhouse for ice or bottled water.  We will not have it. Be self sufficient.

If you did not turn off your electric before leaving and the FPL has not restored the power enter your home with caution and a flashlight.

Turn off electricity at main breaker box.  This prevents power surges and outages after FPL has turned the power on following the storm.

If you are out of town and have access to a computer - (hotels, libraries or friends) all local television stations have web sites that are kept updated.  Our SLCCV.homestead.com will be operational and will provide general answers re conditions.   Check the site for instructions on how to contact us,  (The site can also be reached by going to SLCCV.org )

Every effort will be made by the Park Manager to have the roads cleared as soon as possible so you can reenter and inspect your homes.

If you have damage to your home etc. Contractors will be asked to check into the Park Managers office to show licenses etc. and will be given a letter proving they have done so.

10% should be a maximum deposit for work done.  Final payment should be made after final inspection has been carried out by the County.

An interim payment can be made when materials for your job are delivered to your lot.

 

Telephones - if telephone service comes on before electricity, which it usually does, remember to unplug all phones that depend on electricity - use the old fashioned phone that plugs into the wall jack and does not require electricity. If you do not unplug other phones you will be able to call out but not receive calls.

 

Most of us have been through the hurricanes so let common sense and previous experience play an important part in our recovery. 

Be prepared to be mentally and physically and emotionally tested.

Be a good neighbor - look after yourself and help others where you can.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Remember pets and critters may be displaced following the storm and could be anywhere.

To ease the tensions that will surely build, consider having a combined cookout with others on your street.  This is a good release. Saves the food from spoiling, leads to interesting meals and most of all gives everyone some down time from worry.

If you can, volunteer at club house to help out others.

 

We cannot cover every circumstance in the bulletin so remember this is a guide.  Adapt to your own needs. 

 

BEING PREPARED IS VERY IMPORTANT

 

 

 

NOT HAVING ANY HURRICANES

IS OUR FERVENT HOPE