For Friday, August 30
Stay Informed
As Hurricane Dorian approaches the state of Florida, Leon County Emergency Management is actively monitoring and executing emergency plans for disaster preparedness, response and recovery. To stay up-to-date and informed on Leon County preparedness actions and tips, you have the following resources:
- Download the Leon County Citizens Connect mobile application - Completely redesigned, the Citizens Connect mobile app puts timely emergency notifications at your fingertips through push notifications on your smartphone or other device. Be the first to know about shelter locations, road closures and service changes by downloading the application on the Apple and Google Play stores.
- Visit the Leon County Emergency Information Portal - Hosting the same information as the Citizens Connect app, the Emergency Information Portal can be accessed on a desktop or a mobile browser by visiting www.LeonCountyFL.gov/EI .
- Listen to 88.9 WFSU-FM – During a disaster, citizens can tune in to 88.9 FM for the most up-to-date information from local public safety officials. Featuring to-the-minute reporting, WFSU, Leon County and the City of Tallahassee remain committed to getting information out on the radio as soon as possible.
- iHeartRadio – Another important source of community-specific news and disaster alerts is IHeartRadio. For any disaster, stations are prepared to immediately respond in times of emergency and provide updates on the following stations throughout a disaster: WFLA-FM 100.7, Throwback-FM 96.5, WTNT 94.9, KISS-FM 107.1, X-FM101.5, The Beat-FM 105.3. To view these stations or listen now, click here.
- Call Big Bend 2-1-1 - If you need community information, services and support any day of the year, Big Bend 2-1-1 is reachable by dialing either 2-1-1 or (850) 617-6333.
- Email EIP@LeonCountyFL.gov with questions - Leon County Emergency Management staff is available to answer questions from what you should prepare, act and recover.
- For updates on City of Tallahassee Utilities and other City services, visit Talgov.com .
- Insurance Helpline - The Florida Department of Financial Services offers a toll-free Insurance Consumer Helpline to assist Florida's insurance consumers. Insurance Specialists are available to answer questions or concerns regarding insurance coverage and advocate on a consumer's behalf to resolve a dispute with an insurance company. To receive assistance, call 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236) toll-free, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Price Gouging - During a state of emergency, it is unlawful to sell or lease certain commodities for an amount that grossly exceeds the average price. To report price gouging, call 1-866-966-7226.
Be Prepared
Plan now because when disaster strikes it is too late to prepare. Leon County and the City of Tallahassee encourage citizens to put disaster supplies in a waterproof and durable five-gallon bucket. Keep these essential items near an exit door in your home or in your vehicle.
Some important items include a flashlight, medications, nonperishable food and water. You can see a full list of preparedness items at www.HaveaHurricanePlan.com . The 2019 Disaster Survival Guide can also be picked up at any Leon County public library or City of Tallahassee community center.
Once you and your family have a hurricane preparedness plan in place, check on your neighbors to ensure that they have one, too. Neighborhoods that prepare together create strong support networks that are vital to a speedy recovery. In the event of a major disaster, your neighbors will be your closest resource and support.
While Leon County continues to monitor the path of Hurricane Dorian, it is important to know the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. A hurricane watch is an announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher) are possible within a specified area. Watches are generally issued 48 hours in advance of a hurricane winds. A warning indicates conditions are expected, and these are issued 36 hours in advance.
Prepare your home for strong winds by visually inspecting trees on your property for poor health and reduce the risk to your home by trimming hanging limbs. If you have any questions about your tree's health, contact a Certified Arborist to assist you.
The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering training for citizens interested in volunteering should a shelter activation be required. Learn more by calling (850) 878-6080. Volunteer applications are available at RedCross.org.
If you have any questions about how best to prepare, please email Leon County Emergency Management at EIP@LeonCountyFL.gov .
For current information about local preparedness and response, please follow the County at Facebook.com/LeonCountyFL and Twitter.com/LeonCounty.
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