After the Storm: Re-Entering Your Home

Our last blog covered the basics of post-storm safety, including making sure your food supply is safe. Now, let’s look at re-entering your neighborhood and home.

Damaged infrastructure to the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in the aftermath of 2023's Hurricane Idalia. [CREDIT: UF/IFAS, Tyler Jones]
Damaged infrastructure to the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in the aftermath of 2023’s Hurricane Idalia. [CREDIT: UF/IFAS, Tyler Jones]

Many times, waiting for recovery after a storm or hurricane event can be long and difficult. It’s important to stay patient and allow the authorities to do their job. After the storm, you and your family will not be allowed to return to your home or business until search and rescue operations are complete and safety hazards, such as downed power lines, are cleared.

Here are some general tips.

  • Be Patient!
  • Contact family and friends so they know you are safe.
  • Don’t drive through flooded water. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • Never drive around barricades.
  • 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult and carry them away
  • 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car
  • 18-24 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks
  • 3-5 feet of moving water is life threatening
  • Check for damages before entering your home.
  • Use no open flames, like matches, until you know there are no gas leaks.
  • If you suspect a gas leak, immediately leave your home, and call 911 and your natural gas provider.
  • Have a valid ID, which contains your address.
  • Turn appliances that were left turned “on” when the power was lost to the “off” position. Turn off the main breaker until you are sure the system is safe.
  • If your home has been flooded, contact licensed electricians to inspect your home before you turn on any appliance.
  • If you need to return to your business, have a valid picture ID and documents indicating proof of ownership.

Your family’s safety is important! Please be patient and wait for the authorities to complete their jobs.

1

Maria Portelos-Rometo is a UF/IFAS Extension Agent at Sarasota County. She specializes in Family and Consumer Sciences.
Posted: October 14, 2024


Category: Disaster Preparation, Work & Life
Tags: Disaster, Entry, Home, Hurricane, Pgm_FCS, Reenter, Safety, Storm


Leave a Reply

Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories