Hurricane Preparedness for Families

When should we worry about a hurricane?
Hurricanes cause serious damage to Keys coastlines and communities. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. During a hurricane or tropical storm, tornadoes can also develop.

Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed and damage potential. Category Three and higher are considered "major" hurricanes, though Categories One and Two still require your full and urgent attention.

Many Keys services, such as hospitals, are closed during a Category 3 or higher. You may be asked to evacuate.

"HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS" is available as a pamphlet. Please contact us to order in quantity.
Click here to download hurricane information in Creole.

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Prepare Your Family
Mothers are already the experts in caring for the family. We want to make sure mothers have all the information they need to help themselves during evacuation or riding out a storm.

Family Preparation Safety
When preparing for a hurricane it is easy to get distracted and forget the safety precautions you would normally practice. Normally watchful eyes on your toddler can be interrupted, even briefly, resulting in injury or worse to your child.

• Leaning hurricane shutters which are heavy and sharp edged can get knocked over causing serious injury especially to a young toddler.
• Gasoline for generators should be stored out of reach of children.
• Coolers brought out in preparation of cooling food in the event of a power outage can be suffocation hazards.
• Filled bath tubs, as recommended by authorities for water usage after the storm, can be a drowning accident waiting to happen.
• Candles should always be extinguished when you leave the room, kept out of reach of children as should the matches and lighters.

It is important to remember that emergency services are not available during a storm and could be limited after the storm. Use common sense and don’t let your safety efforts slip when preparing for a hurricane.

Preparedness Checklist for Mothers

Pregnant women, and families with small children need to take extra care when making a family hurricane preparedness plan. This is not a complete list of items, but it can get you started thinking about storm season. Consider where you would give birth if you have to evacuate. Keep your prenatal care passport with you in the event you have to give birth away from the Keys. Schools may be closed before and after a storm, so, consider who will care for your children if you can still work. Make your plans now, prepare your home, collect supplies, and heed evacuation orders.	Pregnant Women Keep a copy of your prenatal care record with you. Have an emergency backup birth plans. Talk to your doctor / midwife about where to give birth.
	Babies Under Age 1 Plan to breastfeed. This helps protect baby from germs. Keep two weeks of ready-to-feed formula if baby will be formula fed. Your infant care passport.
	Children Check with schools about possible closures. Three days of foods that your child will eat well. Batteries and flashlights, and non-burning lighting.
	Supplies First aid kit. Diapers and wipes. Extra fluids for the whole family.
Family plan notes: Contact the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition for care providers and care coordinators in other parts of the state during evacuation. 305-293-8424. Contact the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition for care providers and care coordinators in other parts of the state during evacuation. We may be able to assist in connecting you with midwives, birthing centers and hospitals for your continued care. Please contact your Healthy Start Care Coordinator if you are going to evacuate so we can check on you after the storm. (305) 293-8424.

Worry-free Preparedness