Hurricane Preparedness
It’s hurricane season! Did you know AERC is open through all emergencies? We are prepared to help you.
We Are Open 24 Hours During All Severe Weather Events
AERC is a 24-hour emergency and critical care hospital for small animals (dogs and cats). In the event of a weather emergency, we remain open and staffed, prepared to treat injured or ill dogs and cats. We do not provide boarding services, as we must maintain all available hospital space for our patients. Our natural gas generator supplies electrical power to our hospital in the event of power outages. We continue to provide our services during severe weather events.
Get the Red Cross Hurricane App!
The Red Cross offers multiple mobile applications for emergency situations. Among them is a hurricane app which includes:
- A Storm Tracker
- NOAA Weather Alerts
- Locations of Open Shelters
- A One-Touch “I’m Safe” message to notify family and friends even if the power is out.
To start using their app today, text “GETCANE” to 90999, or search “Red Cross Hurricane” in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
If you are interested in seeing the other apps that Red Cross offers, you can visit www.RedCross.org/Mobile-apps. Some of these apps include First Aid, Pet First Aid, and a Red Cross + Disney Monster Guard preparation app for kids.
Locate a Red Cross Office Near You
Hurricane Kit Checklist
Have enough supplies on hand to wait it out.
Depending on the storm, a secure home may be the safest place to ride out the storm. You’ll need supplies to last for at least 2 weeks, in case storm damage is severe and resources are difficult to replenish.
Tips for preparing your supplies:
- Add to your supplies with each shopping trip.
- Store supplies together in water-tight bins or barrels.
- Move supplies to your safe room when a storm is imminent.
What to keep in your kit:
- Water: one gallon per person, per day 14 gallons per person
- Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio NOAA weather radio
- Extra batteries
- Manual can opener
- Multi-purpose tool
- First aid kit
- Medication and medical items
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Emergency blanket
- Extra cash
- Map(s) of the area
- Copies of personal documents
- medication list
- pertinent medical information
- proof of address
- deed/lease to home
- passports
- birth certificates
- insurance policies
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
Additional items to consider, based on the needs of all family members:
- Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
- Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
- Games and activities for children
- Entertainment items
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Towels
- Pet Supplies (see pet kit below)
- Extra set of car keys and house keys
To secure your home after the storm, consider:
- Rain gear
- Work gloves
- Tools/supplies for securing your home
- Extra clothing, hat, and sturdy shoes
- Plastic sheeting
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Liquid bleach
Pet Hurricane Kit Checklist
Don’t forget your pets!
Tips for preparing your pet’s supplies:
- Gather your pet’s emergency supplies and place them near the pet crate for ready evacuation.
- Label supplies with your pet’s name and your contact information.
Recommended pet kit supplies:
- A two-week supply of water and pet food in a watertight container
- food/treats/water bowls
- Properly-fitted collar (no choke chains) or harness
- Leash, preferably not a chain-style leash
- Portable and secure crate/carrier large enough for your pet
- bedding/towels
- Toys
- Pet medications – at least a one-month supply
- Up-to-date health records
- proof of rabies, vaccinations against contagious disease
- a county license (place in waterproof bag and include in the crate)
- First Aid supplies
- A recent photo of you with your pet, keep one photo with you and place one in pet carrier.
- For litter-trained animals:
- litter pan with litter and/or newspapers
- litter scoop.
- All pets: waste-disposal supplies including:
- plastic bags for feces disposal
Things to consider:
- Pets separates from owners in a disaster are more likely to be returned if they have a microchip and are registered in the national database. Vets, animal control, and pet rescue agencies will check to see if a rescue has a microchip.
- If you stay home, make sure you have plenty of fresh water, food, litter, medication, and other supplies in case you lose power, fresh water, or routes out of your neighborhood.
- If your pet’s medication requires refrigeration, keep lots of ice on hand, too.
- Consider putting a hand pump on the well, if you have one. A hand pump will give well owners access to fresh water for your pets and your family.
The above information is from the Treasure Coast Newspapers TCPalm 2017 Hurricane Resource Guide, and can be found in the Official Hurricane Safety Guide of the American Red Cross, South Florida Region. More information can also be found on www.redcross.org.