My Visit to the Collier County Emergency Operations Center

On Thursday, I visited the Collier County Emergency Operations Center to discuss how we’re planning to prepare, respond and recover from hurricanes and other disasters while COVID-19 still poses threats to the health and wellness of Floridians.  

Collier County’s Emergency Director Dan Summers and his team shared what they’re doing to ensure we have enough shelters - and the proper distance required at each shelter - to keep people safe in the event of a hurricane.  He stressed the point that, particularly now while COVID-19 continues to threaten our community,  shelters should be the place of last resort.  He recommended that when hurricane evacuations are ordered residents should first seek to shelter with friends and families and, in certain appropriate circumstances, shelter in place before evacuation to a county shelter.  He also advised that shelters will require everyone to wear masks and social distancing will be strictly enforced.  Meals will likely be “grab and go” so there will be no need for lines and everyone should bring hand sanitizer and necessities.

They’re also taking many measures to keep our first responders safe and well so they are able to help when called during a natural disaster.  Rest assured, the state of Florida and your local governments are working to make sure we are ready for hurricane season.  

Now, it’s time for all of us to prepare.  With hurricane season beginning on Monday, take the time to make your plan, stock up on supplies and get ready.

Director Summers recommended residents take advantage of the Collier County EOC webpages and to sign-up for the Alert Collier mobile alerts. These alerts most recently provided residents crucial details about the wildfire in the area.  

• Alert Collier Sign Up
• Emergency Contacts 
• Webpage on Evacuation
• Link to Gas Stations with Generators
• County Special Needs Registry Form

Hurricane Season Starts This Monday, June 1

While COVID-19 has dominated the last few months of attention in the State of Florida, hurricane season is now on the horizon.  The North Atlantic hurricane season begins on Monday, June 1 and now is the time to prepare. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane forecast warns of a very active season ahead.  There are expected to be between 13 and 19 named storms, with six to 10 of them becoming hurricanes. Three to six of the hurricanes are predicted to be Category 3 or higher.  

Stock Up on Supplies During the Disaster Preparedness Tax Relief Holiday

This Session, to provide tax-relief and help Florida families stock up on supplies, the Florida Legislature once again created a Disaster Preparedness Tax- Free Holiday so Floridians can purchase needed supplies ahead of the 2020 Hurricane Season. 

This year’s Disaster Preparedness Tax-Free Holiday begins Friday, May 29, and runs through Thursday, June 4.

Eligible items that consumers can purchase tax-free include:

• Portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less;
•  Certain portable radios selling for $50 or less;
• Tarps selling for $50 or less;
• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $50 or less;
•  A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less;
• Packages of certain battery types, selling for $30 or less;
• A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less;
• Portable generators for use in a power outage selling for $750 or less; and
• Reusable ice selling for $10 or less.

I hope you will take advantage of this tax relief opportunity and ensure that your family and neighbors have a plan and are prepared for this year’s hurricane season.  

Get A Plan! 

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is a valuable resource to help you, your family and your business prepare for hurricane season.

Visit flgetaplan.com to learn more or click on the plan below that best suits your needs. 

• Family Plan
• Business Plan
• Special Needs Plan
• Pet Plan

Special Needs Registry

The Florida Department of Health, in coordination with its county health departments and each local emergency management agency in the state, developed a registry for persons with special needs to register with their local emergency management agency to receive assistance during a disaster.  The statewide registry provides first responders with valuable information to prepare for disasters or other emergencies.  Click Here to Register for Special Needs Registry

For questions concerning registration, sheltering, transportation and evacuation, please contact your local emergency management agency at: https://floridadisaster.org/counties/.

Be Prepared: Build a Disaster Supply Kit

To avoid the long lines ahead of a potential, short-noticed storm, it is wise to start building a disaster supply kit.  Below are some items to make sure to purchase for your kit.  

Note: Some of these things can be purchased tax-free during the disaster preparedness holiday.

• Water (at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days)
• Food (at least enough for 3 to 7 days)
• Blankets and pillows, etc.
• Clothing
• First aid kit, including medicines and prescriptions
• Toiletries and hygiene items
• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio
• Cash (Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods)
• Important documents (store in a waterproof container), such as insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. 
• Vehicle fuel tanks, filled
• Pet care items

Sign Up for Local Alerts

As you know, during hurricane season, news can change at a moment’s notice. This why it is important to sign up to receive emergency alerts in your County of residence.

• Collier County
• Lee County
• Hendry County

From the Florida Division of Emergency Management- Actions to Take

Have a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio and battery backup to receive important weather and other emergency-related warnings.

• Before, During and After a Hurricane
• Evacuating Yourself and Your Family
• Determine if your home is in a storm surge evacuation zone.  If so, learn what needs to be done if you evacuate or stay when a storm is moving toward your area.
• Mitigate Hurricane Damages
• Learn how to prepare your home from wind damage before a storm threatens your area.
• Consider insuring your home or business from flood loss.
• Make sure that all other aspects of your home are as protected from hurricanes as possible.

Know Who to Call for Help

Below is a list of important contact information for hurricane related assistance.  You may consider printing this list and keeping it somewhere safe just in case. For additional emergency contacts, click here. 

State of Florida Emergency Info 24-hour hotline: 800-342-3557

Safe & Wellness Helpline (to see if people are in a shelter or are OK): 800-733-2767

FEMA Disaster Assistance/Registration: 800-621-3362 or TTY: 800-427-5593

U.S. Small Business Administration: 800-659-2955 or TTY: 800-877-8339

FEMA Fraud Hotline: 800-323-8603

Disaster Unemployment Services: 877-872-5627

Unemployment Compensation Claims: 800-204-2418

Florida Dept. of Financial Services Hurricane Helpline: 800-277-8676

Red Cross Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance: 866-438-4636

Salvation Army Hurricane Relief Information: 888-363-2769

DCF Information: 866-762-2237

Elder Helpline: 800-963-5337

Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline: 866-966-7226

To verify contractor licenses: 850-487-1395

To report unlicensed activity - Agricultural and Consumer Services: 866-532-1440

Visit My Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Webpage

For all resources previously shared in these newsletters, visit kathleenpassidomo.com. 

You will find a list of Executive Orders in place, updates on COVID-19 and our state's efforts to support you and your families during this pandemic.   I will continue to share the most recent updates with you in these newsletters.