Preparation Prevents Panic
As the Gulf stirs and skies begin to shift with coiled serpentine collections of cloud and wind Floridians are reminded that preparedness is more than a checklist, more than a cry to the heavens, it’s a mindset. With hurricane season’s uncertainty, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension provides comforting, insightful guidance rooted in science, tailored to living in our sunny state.
It begins with knowledge. The Disaster Preparation and Recovery site from UF/IFAS walks you through the essentials. Water requirements, what food to keep, how to secure and prepare documents. It is quiet confidence established on knowing you understand best practices ahead of time.
For families with pets, planning extends beyond the human household to our furry children and relatives. Extension has resources that help you create a pet hazard plan ensuring your animals are sheltered and safe when it matters most. Farmers and ranchers, too, will find strategies on livestock and agriculture that cover everything from livestock evacuation plans to crop protection techniques.
Hurricane readiness is also about where we live. Whether you reside in a home constructed decades ago or a new structure, the Florida Homeowners Handbook gives insights on roofs, reinforcing windows, and mitigating damage.
Landscaping in Florida is both beautiful and a buffer to the tempest. UF/IFAS hurricane landscaping ideas help to provide insight and ideas to protect your property using Florida-friendly plants and proper pruning.
Guidance is always close by, as every Florida county is served by a local County Extension office. Here, you can get personalized advice, and community support tailored to your unique risks.
Even after the winds subside, UF/IFAS Extension offers trusted advice on post storm decision making helping families recover with care and caution. UF/IFAS also supports local disaster impact assessment and recovery by providing knowledge, education, and resources through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN).
Extension agents and statewide experts also provide support to local and federal agencies with disaster impact assessments and carry out data collection on soils, evaluate urban forest health, and tell the stories of community with projects like the Images of Recovery photovoice project.
Hurricanes are inevitable. But with preparation, damage is not. Let UF/IFAS Extension help you as a voice of reason before the storm, and a hand to hold when dealing with the aftermath.
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