· Make sure you have all necessary supplies on hand in case you have to weather a storm. This includes plenty of water, canned food, batteries, a battery operated radio, necessary medications.
· Get out your hurricane shutters and make sure they are ready to go if a storm approaches.
· Make sure you have a plan in place should you have to evacuate. This includes picking up a re-entry sticker for your car, which will expedite your return to the county after an evacuation. Stickers can be obtained from tag offices and Sheriff’s Offices county-wide.
· Have a plan for your pets as well, including enough food and a way to transport them if you evacuate.
Before, during and after a storm, the Monroe County Office of Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Office will be bringing you up to date information about the event, including protective action orders and recommendations. Information will be available through local radio, television and other media outlets, as well as through Facebook at MCSO – Florida Keys and Twitter at MCSOnews. You can also sign up to receive emergency alert information at http://www.monroecountyem.com/list.aspxand the Monroe County Emergency Information hot-line will be activated during an emergency at 1-800-955-5504.
There are many web sites with detailed information about hurricane preparedness, including Monroe County’s Emergency Management site at www.monroecountyem.com, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office web site at http://www.keysso.net/pio/tropical/tropical.htm, FEMA at www.fema.gov, or their emergency information site www.Ready.gov, the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org, the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov , and the National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov.