STORM TERMS

COASTAL FLOODING -  Flooding along low lying coastal areas which may occur even though the storm generating the flooding is not a direct threat.

TROPICAL STORM WATCH -  Be on the alert that specific areas may be threatened by tropical storm conditions.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING– Tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds from 39 to 73 miles per hour are expected to hit specific areas within 24 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH -  Be on the alert that a hurricane or hurricane conditions pose a threat to a specific area, generally within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WARNING - A hurricane is expected in a specific area within 24 hours. All hurricane precautions should be complete!!    

Evacuation information, as well as additional preparedness guidelines may be obtained from your local Emergency Management Office. Your goal should be to evacuate to a safe location close to home. Long-distance evacuation is not recommended as highways will be crowded. Friends or relatives in a safe area are your best choice. The comfort of knowing you are safe together far outweighs any inconvenience. If they are unable to house both you AND your pets, arrange shelter for your pets at a veterinarian or kennel close to your evacuation location so that you will be able to have as much contact with them as possible. You and your pets will fare better if you are together.  If you plan to go to a motel, determine in advance whether pets are welcome and what if any special rules apply. When you have determined a safe location for your evacuation, assist the host property owner in developing their disaster plan

IF YOU MUST EVACUATE LEAVE EARLY.

An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely!  All animals should have secure carriers (or collapsible cages for large dogs) as well as collars, leashes and rabies tags. Carriers should be large enough for the animals to stand comfortably and turn around. Train your pets to become familiar with their carriers ahead of time. The carrier will be a secure and comforting  refuge if the animal is required to live in it for days-even weeks-after the storm. Before hurricane season starts on June 1 of each year, make sure you pet has current immunizations and take these with you if you evacuate. Photograph your pet every year and include the photo with your other pet records.  Your pet survival kit should include ample supply (at least 2 weeks) food & water, medications, specific care instructions, newspapers, plastic trash bags for waste, brushes, combs and other hygiene items, toys and other comforting items and a muzzle if necessary. A manual can opener is a necessity. All belongings should be marked with identification. If you are not evacuating your pet to a commercial animal facility, you should also include first aid supplies for your pet in the survival kit. Take first aid & CPR courses and keep the manuals handy. The same basic principles apply to animals. Ask your Vet for an emergency care pamphlet for animals.

If you plan to shelter your

 IF YOU CAN STAY AT HOME

It is as important to adequately plan for your pets even if you don’t have to evacuate. Carriers, collars with proper I.D. and leashes should be maintained for your pet at all times. Your pets will be most comfortable and secure in their carriers in a safe area of your home until the storm passes. If not secured and your home is damaged in the storm, your pets may escape and become disoriented, since normal landmarks and scent trails could be obliterated. If your pet becomes lost, proper I.D. will ensure their return to you.  Place the pets food and medications in water tight containers in a cool, dry, dark place. Store adequate water for your pet. Your water source could become contaminated so to purify it add 2 drops of household bleach per quart of water, mix, seal tightly & let stand for 30 minutes before using. If you bring plants into the home before a storm, be careful not to allow pets access to them as many ornamental plants are poisonous!    

 AFTER THE STORM 

Walk your pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their surroundings. CAUTION: Downed power lines and other debris pose real dangers to you AND your pets. Do not allow pets to consume food or water which may have become contaminated. Be extremely careful when using candles or oil lamps around your pets. Never leave them unattended. When you know you have done everything you can do to protect ALL members of the family, disaster preparedness will give you great peace of mind. 

Be critical of your plan. Review and update it with your family on a regular basis.

 * Information is a copy of the Animal Services Brochure - "Your Pets & You" available at the Desoto County Animal Services and contains information gleaned from the Humane Society

The only way to reduce the devastation of a hurricane is to be prepareD

The more you prepare, the better your chances of reducing suffering and risk for yourself, your family, your pets or animals and your community. While 38% of U.S. households have children, 43% have pets. Florida is the 3rd most populous state in the U.S., with over 80% of its population within 10 miles of the coast. There is no geographical point in Florida that is more than 60 miles from saltwater. If you live in Florida you must plan for hurricanes and that planning should include your pets. Any disaster that threatens humans, threatens animals as well. When any Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico storm is named, all Floridians should take it seriously, watch it closely, and begin implementation of their pre-written disaster plan.

WHY PET OWNERS MUST PLAN

Public shelters will not accept pets. If you wait until the last minute to evacuate, you may have no choice but to go to a public shelter. If such a situation should force you to leave pets behind, please prepare your children and other family members for the fact that their pet may not survive or may be irretrievably lost before you are able or permitted to return to your home. There is no way to know how long it will be before you are permitted back after the storm. Frightened animals quickly slip out open doors, broken windows or other damaged areas of your home that may be opened by the storm. Released pets are likely to die from exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food and water or on the road where they can endanger others. Even normally friendly animals of different species should not be allowed together unattended since the stress of the storm may cause distinct behavior changes.

 REMEMBER: If you must evacuate, then conditions are not only unsafe for  you but unsafe for other living creatures as well!   

DEVELOP YOUR WRITTEN PLAN NOW! 

A written DISASTER PLAN will help you and your pets survive. Identify your evacuation zone and level to determine if & when you would have to evacuate. If you are located in a storm surge flood plain, the decision to evacuate will depend on the category of the storm. Always prepare for one category higher than the storm being forecast as a hurricane often increases in strength just before making landfall. If the storm suddenly increases, you will not have time to change your plans as winds will have already reached speeds that will make travel unsafe.

 ALL MOBILE HOME RESIDENTS MUST EVACUATE—regardless of location