Hurricane season! Did you know that this season runs all the way to November 30th? That is actually half of Florida’s year! Colorado State University released a slightly above-average hurricane season 2018. This prediction includes 14 named storms with seven becoming hurricanes and three to reach major hurricane status with sustained winds of 11 miles per hour or greater.
Governor Rick Scott signed HB 7099 and SB 7028 ,on March 26, 2018. This means that permanent emergency rules are in place requiring every nursing center and assisted living facility (ALF) in Florida to have emergency generators to keep residents safe. Our Assisted Living Facility, The Residences of United HomeCare, has a Generator which powers 100% of the building even if there is no electricity from FPL.
As we progress throughout the 2018 hurricane season, families are reassured that the facilities responsible for caring for their loved ones will have the resources needed to be fully prepared ahead of any potential hurricanes or bad storms. United HomeCare® wants to encourage you to be deliberate in how you prepare. Begin personally by preparing and writing down some helpful resources available from the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management (www.FloridaDisaster.org ), the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), and use www.LTCprepare.org.
Please remember these are statewide sites and the very best information is always from your local emergency officials. Local access can be through www.miamidade.gov or by calling 311. Important disaster kit items: Remember “Cash is King” and when a major hurricane is imminent, have enough cash on hand. Secure your documents, put aside Prescription Medications, one gallon of water per person for 3 to 7 days minimum, extra pair of prescription glasses, charge your mobile phone and pack charger, medical records, medical device information, and family physician phone numbers. Have a safe and, hopefully, uneventful hurricane season.
