Fgcu environmental Health and Safety Hurricane Preparedness Plan

Hurricane Information

The following are definitions of terms, used by the National Hurricane Center in their forecasts, which will help you better understand the extent of the threat posed by a hurricane.

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  Advisory: A formal message from the National Hurricane Center, issued every six hours, providing details on location, intensity and movement of a tropical cyclone.
  
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  Hurricane Eye: The relatively calm area near the center of a storm. The duration of the "Calm" may last from several minutes to over an hour, depending on the size and speed of the hurricane. The "Calm" usually ends suddenly as winds return, possibly with even greater force.
  
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  Hurricane Warning: This warning indicates that a hurricane, with sustained winds of at least 74 mph, is expected within 24 hours or less. At this point, hurricane preparedness plans should be finalized. Hurricane warnings are seldom issued more than 24 hours in advance, and in cases of hurricanes with unusual or erratic paths, the warning may be issued only a few hours before landfall.
  
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  Hurricane Watch: A hurricane watch indicates that hurricane conditions are a strong possibility and may threaten a given area within 36 hours. This advisory does not necessarily mean a hurricane is imminent; however, you must initiate your hurricane preparedness activities.
  
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  Intermediate advisories: Advisories are issued at two or three hour intervals, between regularly schedules advisories, whenever a storm nears a coast.
  
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  Storm Surge: A dome-like rise in ocean level associated with a hurricane. The difference between this abnormal rise in sea level and the level that normally occurs is called the storm surge. It is highest along and to the immediate right of the location where the eye of the hurricane strikes land.
  
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  Tornado Warning: If a tornado is reported in the area, a warning will be issued. Tornadoes spawned by hurricanes are capable of producing severe damage and casualties.
  
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  Tropical Depression: A non-frontal low-pressure system that usually originates in the tropics, it rotates counter clockwise and achieves maximum sustained winds of 38 mph.
  
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  Tropical Storm: A non-frontal low-pressure system that usually originates in the tropics, it rotates counter clockwise and achieves maximum sustained winds of 73 mph.
  
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  Tropical Storm Warning: This warning indicates that there is a strong possibility that a storm, with a wind speed of 39 to 73 mph, which could strike a given area within 24 hours.
  
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  Tropical Storm Watch: A tropical storm evolves from a tropical depression. This advisory means that a tropical storm could threaten a given area within 36 hours.
  

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  Category 1 Hurricane – Wind speed between 74-95mph.
  

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  Category 2 Hurricane – Wind speed between 96-110mph.
  

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  Category 3 Hurricane- Wind speed between 111-130mph.
  

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  Category 4 Hurricane – Wind speed between 131-155mph.
  

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  Category 5 Hurricane – Wind speed greater than 156mph.
  

Hurricane Preparedness

Have an evacuation plan ready. Are you staying home or leaving town? Please decide and make necessary arrangements if you are staying home, leaving town, or going to a public shelter.

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  If you are staying home here are some things to consider.
  
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  Do you have protective devices for windows?
  

Window protective devices types	Cost
Automatic rolled down shutters	Very expensive
Accordion shutters	Moderately expensive
Metal or fiberglass awning shutters	Moderately expensive
Bahamas or Colonial awning shutters	Moderately expensive
Regular unlocked storm panel	Least expensive
Plywood shutters	Least expensive

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  Do you have bottle water, flashlight, canned food or other non-perishable food, medications, first aid kit, battery operated radio, generator, batteries, blankets, and sanitary supplies?
  
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  If you have pets, do you have adequate supplies for them?
  
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  Do you have your insurance papers in order?
  
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  Fill up your car gas tank in case you decide to leave town.
  

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  Choose a hotel in another state or far away from the path of storm and arrange in advance, if possible. Some hotels will let you make reservations a few days in advance, so try to book a room.
  
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  Make sure your vehicle has battery cables, flashlight, first aid kit, tools, spare tire and road maps.
  
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  Make sure your vehicle had its monthly checkup. Change oil; fill up tank and checks liquids before you leave.
  
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  Pack clothes for at least 3 days.
  
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  Always check our university webpage for updates of when the university will re-open.
  
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  Give your cell phone number to your supervisor or on an index card make a list of your co-workers phone numbers.
  

If you staying at public shelters, please contact your local public shelter to find out when they will be open for shelter.

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  Ensure you take the proper measures when considering staying at a public shelter. Some shelters may not permit dogs or cats unless they are animals for people with disabilities.
  
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  Bring towels, change of clothes, and hygiene products to shelter.
  
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  Bring a cooler for ice, drinks, and perishable foods.
  
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  If permitted, bring sleeping bags, blankets, pillows or inflatable beds. Shelters most likely will not have these items due to limited inventory.
  
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  Bring books, small games, magazines for entertainment.
  
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  Bring a battery operated radio or DVD player.
  
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  Bring a chair, preferably those that fold in a carrying bag.
  

Local Media

Here is a list of radio stations you can tune in for update local news.

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  Back up personal computers, recommendation is to purchase a memory key to back up important documentation.
  
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  If possible, cover those computers located on floor central processing units with garbage bags or put on top of desk to avoid water damage.
  
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  Pull down window blinds.
  
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  Prepare your building for maximum sustained winds. Bring things inside a building if items can be projectiles.
  
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  Protect important documents from water damage by storing them in file cabinets, desk draws, etc. If possible, important documents could be scanned and store in your departments server, CD, or memory key.
  
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  If business travel is around time of emergency, make the reasonable and necessary accommodations to travel or cancel travel.
  
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  Prepare emergency disaster kit for your department or for those essential personnel required to be on campus. Disaster kit may include the following contents: flashlight, batteries, poncho, hand sanitizer, security whistles, dust mask, work gloves, first aid kit, and multi pocket tool.
  
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  Check schedules for any special events on campus and cancel and re-schedule as appropriate.
  
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  In an orderly fashion, when directed to do so, please leave campus when FGCU Emergency Team directs you to.
  

Please listen to local radio and television stations, contact (239) 590-1900 or access the FGCU web sites at www.fgcu.edu for updates.