ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With Hurricane Milton posing "an extremely serious threat" to Florida, disaster preparedness has spiked to a five-year high within the state.
In the following guide, 10 Tampa Bay breaks down how Floridians can prepare before Hurricane Milton makes landfall by Wednesday night.
Emergency Preparedness Kits
The Florida Department of Health says every emergency preparedness kit should be prepared by gathering basic supplies and storing them in an easy-to-carry portable container.
Items included in your emergency preparedness kit are as follows:
- Water - At least one gallon per person (try to store 3-7 days worth).
- Food - enough for 3-7 days worth
- Non-perishable food like canned foods
- Food for infants like baby formula and food for the elderly as well
- High-energy foods like protein bars with long shelf life
- Non-electric can opener
- Cooking tools including means of fuel like Sterno for heating foods
- Plates and utensils
- Pet food if applicable
- First-Aid Kit
- Medicine/Prescriptions
- Toiletries
- Suitable Clothing - seasonal, rain gear, proper shoes like boots
- Flashlights - with batteries or able to be charged by hand crank
- Radio with batteries or able to be charged by hand crank and include NOAA weather radio
- Pet Care Items
- Disaster Supply Tools - utility knife, whistle, pencil, map compass, thread, needles, signal flare, tape, shut-off wrench, eyewear, thermal blankets
- Important Items to be stored in a waterproof container
- Medical records, bank account numbers, social security card, insurance information, telephone of important numbers, cash in case bank ATMs are down, cell phone charger
Lastly, officials say your family disaster kit should be placed in an easily accessible place where each family member can reach it and all foodstuffs should be replaced regularly according to its shelf-life.
For more information and resources, check out the Red Cross' official guide.