Disaster and Emergency Plan

Willowbend Community Association

Osprey, Florida

August 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................................................... 3

QUESTION: WHO ARE THE IC STAFF, ZONE CAPTAINS AND WHAT ARE THE ZONES?.......................................................4

QUESTION: WHY SHOULD I UPDATE MY EMERGENCY INFORMATION?...........................................................................6

QUESTION: HOW DO I UPDATE?.......................................................................................................................................6

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO BEFORE THE EVENT?..................................................................................................7

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO DURING THE EVENT?................................................................................................8

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO AFTER THE EVENT?...................................................................................................8

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF A TORNADO THREATENS?....................................................................................9

QUESTION: WHAT PREPARATION IS NECESSARY FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?.....................................................9

QUESTION: WHAT PREPARATION IS NECESSARY FOR PETS?...........................................................................................10

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD I STOCK IN MY RESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY KIT?...................................................................10

QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION KIT?......................................................................................11

QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT MY UTILITIES?........................................................................................................................12

QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE SUGGESTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES?..........................................................................13

QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT SHELTERS?..............................................................................................................................13

QUESTION: WHERE DO I GET CURRENT INFORMATION ON AN EVENT?.........................................................................13

QUESTION: WHAT ARE IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND WEB SITES?......................................................................14

Page 2 of 15

INTRODUCTIONThis Disaster and Emergency Plan (DEP) focuses on hurricanes as the most likely risk to affect the entire Community. It also addresses tornadoes, flooding and other incidents.

The hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th. Willowbend was built after the Miami –Dade Code of 2002 was implemented, and so, the generalization “run from water, hide from wind applies.”

That translates to your house will most likely stand up to a category 3 storm’s wind. If the storm is coming in from the Gulf it may create a storm surge. - an abnormal rise in tide which is caused by a hurricane as it moves over or near the coastline.

Storm surge may create mandatory evacuation zones. Everyone in a zone may be directed by the appropriate authorities to evacuate. Please be aware that some roads may already be flooded when the evacuation order is issued which may cause road congestion. .

Zones Sustained Winds Anticipated Damage* RED ZONE 74-95 MPH Flooding to 13’ORANGE ZONE 96-110 MPH Flooding to 23’YELLOW ZONE 111-130 MPH Flooding to 26’GREEN ZONE 131-155 MPH Flooding to 32’

PURPLE ZONE Above 155 MPH Flooding to 35’

ALL OF WILLOWBEND IS ABOUT 15 FEET IN ELEVATION AND IN THE ORANGE OR YELLOW ZONE. WE MAY FACE MANDATORY EVACUATION IF ORDERED FOR THOSE ZONES BY THE COUNTY

The Disaster and Emergency Plan employs the Good Samaritan guidelines (FL Statute 768.13) of neighbors helping neighbors and depends on the cooperation of the community to be effective. It also depends on community volunteers who have gained the appropriate skills to provide emergency response support to the Community. Many of these volunteers are Certified Emergency Response Team Members (CERT).

The purpose of CERT is to ensure you, your family and your neighbors in the Community are survivors and not victims of a disaster or emergency.

All community members are encouraged to consider becoming CERT. It involves about twenty four hours of training, provided at no charge, either by Sarasota County at the CERT Academy or by qualified residents locally. Send an Email to Willowbendupdate.com for more information on CERT.

This document augments but does not replace county, state and/or federal laws and regulations, and provides the basis for the implementation of Willowbend’s DEP. Residents volunteer and provide assistance in accordance with their training. The Florida Good Samaritan Law applies to those who volunteer.

DISCLAIMER: Although this document is issued under the auspices of Willowbend Community Association, Inc., the Association and its Board of Directors offer no warranty, expressed or implied, for the material in this document, either for the accuracy or function of the content or any effects of its use.  The Willowbend Community Association, Inc. is attempting only to offer a collation of potentially useful information to homeowners in situations of emergency but is not attempting to usurp the responsibility of individual homeowners to investigate, determine and then follow their own course of action in the event of any emergency/disaster.

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QUESTION: WHO ARE THE IC STAFF, ZONE CAPTAINS AND WHAT ARE THE ZONES?

COMMITTEE CHAIR HUGH O’CONNOR 941-447-1577 ohugh6@verizon.net

INCIDENT COMMANDER (I.C.) BOB GEER 941-966-2436 regconsulting@aol.com

DEPUTY I .C. GENE COGHLAN 941-966-6696 eugenecoghlan37@gmail,com

ZONE ONE ZONE TWO ZONE THREE

BETH GATES941-966-9018

beth_gates@verizon.net

RON STOLL 941-966-2090

randjstoll@verizon.net

DOTTIE STEHL941-966-4762

rudostehl@verizon.netTHORNAPPLE DRIVE THORNAPPLE DRIVE THORNAPPLE DRIVE

1303-1325+1327 1326+1328-1367 1243-1287CHALET COURT CRANE PRAIRIE WAY COPPERWOOD

1211-1231 680-686 1307-1353HABITAT BLVD LATITUDE LANE

513-531 510-538

ZONE FOUR ZONE FIVE ZONE SIX

TERRY JABLONSKIBECKY JABLONSKI

941-966-5865twojablonskis@verizon.net

RACHEL RIVLINMANUELGOLDBERG

941-870-3326 rachelrivlin@aol.com

manuelgoldberg@mac.com

DAVID CRISTLUCILLE CRIST 941-918-8510

davidcrist7399@yahoo.comlucillecrist@yahoo.com

ALTERNATE

CRANE PRAIRIE WAY CRANE PRAIRIE WAY CRANE PRAIRIE WAY

#624-#678 #553-#584 #586-620

LUMINARY BLVD LUMINARY BLVD

#510-533 #534-553

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WILLOWBEND COMMUNITY DISASTER ZONES

Page 5 of 15

QUESTION: WHY SHOULD I UPDATE MY EMERGENCY INFORMATION?

In the event of an emergency, Sarasota County Emergency Management Operations (Police, Fire, Ambulance, and EMT teams) will not be dispatched when sustained winds are over 45 mph.  If there are injuries or property damage, Willowbend residents might need to be able to take care of themselves for up to a week after an event.  If you have provided your information on the Willowbend Emergency Information on the Willowbend website (willowbendcommunity.com), the DEC and CERT members might be able to identify homes where there are persons needing assistance.

Residents' Emergency information, such as special needs, pets, hazardous materials in the house, equipment available for community use in emergency, etc., is only available to the webmaster and assistant, the Incident Commander, Deputy Incident Commander, and DEC Chair.  Zone Captains will be able to view the Emergency Information for those homes within their zones of responsibility as well as a screen showing which hazardous materials are in which houses.

QUESTION: HOW DO I UPDATE?An email will be sent out annually requesting that residents review the Emergency Information that they have provided for their home and, if they choose to provide information, either note that the information is complete or provide updated information.  Residents who do not respond to the request or do not have an email address in the system may be visited to review a hard copy or tablet version of the Emergency Information that they have provided.  New residents will be visited by the Welcome Committee and provided a DEC Plan and a blank Emergency Information form. 

To review and update your Emergency Information, follow these steps:

1.  Log on to willowbendcommunity.com and click on "USER LOGIN" at the top right of the first screen.  If you do not have or have forgotten your Willowbend website user name and password, send an email request to the webmaster using the "Contact Us" form on the public portion of the website.

2.  Click on the "Data Pages Main Menu" link at the bottom of the left menu, then click on "Emergency Information for [your address] on that menu.  If you are a renter, send an email to willowbendupdate@gmail.com and we will get an Emergency Information form to you.

3.  Review your Emergency Information.  If there are no changes, click on "Emergency Information is Up-to-Date" and this will automatically update the date that you reviewed your information.   If you want to make changes, either make them yourself on the screen or click the "mail to" link, willowbendupdate@gmail.com, and a blank email should appear with that address in the "to" field.  In the "subject" field, write "Emergency Information Changes for [your address]".  In the email, indicate what information needs to be changed, added, or deleted.  Then send the email.  When the webmaster has updated your information, an email will be sent to you.

For help or for answers to questions, contact Hugh O'Connor at 941-447-1577 or ohugh6@verizon.net.

Page 6 of 15

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO BEFORE THE EVENT?

If you are not here during hurricane season, YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURING YOUR PROPERTY AND ANY LOOSE OBJECTS, WHICH COULD ENDANGER YOU OR YOUR NEIGHBORS' PROPERTY:.

Clear your yard, lanai, and other outdoor areas of all potential flying objects such as: pool safety fences, deck boxes, lawn furniture, potted plants, outdoor grills, garden hoses, flags, decorative items, security system signs and solar lights etc.

Decide ahead of time where you will go, if ordered to evacuate---Tell your Zone Leader, your family members, and your neighbors where you are going and how you can be contacted. Provide the phone number and the address of the place where you can be located.

Take inventory of valuable possessions. Include photographs and/or videotapes of possessions. Take these items with you, if you evacuate. Several important items are listed under the categories "Residential Emergency Kit" and "Evacuation Kit" in later sections.

Protect the windows and glass doors on your home. Fill your car's gas tank(s) and check the oil, tire pressure. Gas station pumps do not work without

electricity. If you have a swimming pool/spa, leave the pool filled and super chlorinate it. Get cash. Banks and ATMs will not operate without electricity, and few stores will be able to accept

credit cards. Fill the bathtubs with water for cleaning and for flushing toilets. You can line the tub with plastic to

prevent leaks and loss of water. If you have a grille, we suggest that you have extra supplies of propane, charcoal, lighter fluid and

matches, in the event of loss of power i.e. electricity and/or gas. Fill coolers with ice and stock-up on plenty of drinking water. Consider what utilities you can temporarily do without and what electrical circuits you can de-activate

to protect your electrical equipment. See the table following. Back your car(s) close to the garage door and insert a pillow between it/them and the door to provide

additional support. Do this with the side door open to minimize carbon monoxide See page 12 for Utility recommendations

Flooding can result from hurricanes, during winter rainstorms and prolonged summer thunderstorm activity.

IN THE EVENT OF A FLOOD WARNING:

Shut off your electricity before the house is flooded. Check the supplies in your emergency and/or evacuation kits. Move valuable objects to a higher level. Place them on shelves, tables, and counters. Fuel your vehicle(s), check the oil, water, and tire pressure.

Page 7 of 15

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO DURING THE EVENT?

Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a "safe area" in your home such as an interior room or closet on the first floor. If the room has a ceiling access hatch, secure it.

Keep the supplies in the Residential Emergency Kit in this "safe area". Consider that you could be in this "safe area" for a long time, so don't forget to include food in your

supplies. Wait for official word that the storm danger has passed. Don't be fooled by the calm of the storm's eye. If you lose power, turn off major appliances such as your air conditioner, electric water heater, and

computer to reduce potential damages. If flooding threatens your home, turn off electricity at the main breaker. Stay on higher ground. Do not drive on a flooded road. Avoid walking in water. Be observant of downed power lines.

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO AFTER THE EVENT?

If you evacuated, when you return home, check with your Zone Leader and let him/her know that you are home.

Be patient. Access to affected areas will be regulated. If you evacuated, you may not be allowed to return to your home until search and rescue operations are complete and safety hazards, such as downed trees and power lines are cleared. People who are CERT trained and are carrying their badge may be permitted to enter the area sooner than other residents and the general public.

Stay tuned to a local radio station for advice and instructions about emergency medical aid, food, and other forms of assistance.

Carry a valid ID with you. Security operations will include checkpoints. Valid identification with your current local address will be required. If you are CERT certified, carry your CERT ID.

Avoid driving. Roads may have debris which may puncture your tires. Using a hose, excess water should be drained from the pool/spa to the street or lake.

A quick purge is not acceptable since it can cause erosion and plant damage. Do not go on "sight seeing" trips, especially at night. You may be mistaken for a looter. Avoid downed or dangling utility wires. If there has been flooding, have an electrician inspect your

home before turning on the power. Be aware of snakes, alligators, insects, or animals driven to higher ground by floods. Enter your home with caution. Open windows and doors to dry out your home.

Be careful with fire. Instead of candles, use battery-operated flashlights and lanterns. Use generators and grills outdoors only. Fumes are toxic. Only use your telephone and cellular phone for emergencies. After the storm has passed, be careful about allowing your pet outside. Downed power lines, animals, and insects brought in with high water could present real dangers. Don't allow your pet outside unaccompanied or to consume food or water that may be

contaminated. Make temporary repairs to correct safety hazards and minimize further damage. Hire only licensed contractors to do repairs. Take photos of all damage before having repairs done - keep receipts for insurance purposes.

IF THERE WAS FLOODINGPage 8 of 15

Do not eat food that has come into contact with floodwater. Drink only bottled or purified water. Stay away from disaster areas. Do not handle live electrical equipment. Report downed power lines. Keep tuned to local stations for emergency information.

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF A TORNADO THREATENS?

If a tornado warning is issued or if threatening weather occurs, it is suggested that you: Listen to local radio or TV. Move to a safe room -- an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. If possible, get under a heavy piece of furniture or doorframe. Stay away from windows, skylights, or glass doors. Do not try to out-run a tornado in your car. If caught outside, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression.

QUESTION: WHAT PREPARATION IS NECESSARY FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?

If you will need assistance in an evacuation, please register NOW with the Sarasota County Department of Emergency Management. Pre-registration is mandatory. Call 941-861-5000 for necessary forms and registration information or go to Tell your health care agency where you will be during a hurricane, and when care should be re-established. If you choose to evacuate to a Special Needs Shelter, you must have your physician’s

signature and be accompanied by a caregiver. If you require respirators or other electric-dependent medical equipment, you should make

prior arrangements with your physician. Register in advance with Florida Power and Light. If you require oxygen, check with your supplier about emergency plans. If you evacuate, remember to take medications, written instructions regarding your care,

special equipment and bedding with you. Special needs residents may choose to notify their Zone Leader of their individual situation, so

that volunteers can check on your condition before and/or after an incident. https://www.scgov.net/AllHazards/All%20Hazards/Specialneedsfams.pdf for general info https://www.scgov.net/AllHazards/All%20Hazards/People%20with%20Special%20Needs

%20Application.pdf for the form

Page 9 of 15

QUESTION: WHAT PREPARATION IS NECESSARY FOR PETS?

Pet owners are responsible for disaster planning for their pets.

As shelters open, the media will identify pet friendly shelters. Note the limitations and requirements. NOTE: that the https://www.scgov.net/AllHazards/All%20Hazards/Pet%20Preparedness.pdf web site provides a printable set of Pet Shelter Rules that must be agreed to by signature at the shelter. Pets must be in a cage or carrier. SHELTERS REQUIRE WRITTEN PROOF OF CURRENT RABIES SHOTS AND VACCINATIONS.

Take the following items in a pet survival kit if you go to friends, relatives, a shelter or a motel: Proper ID collar and rabies tag, license, leash and carrier or cage, water, food bowls, an ample food supply (at least two weeks), specific care instructions, and any necessary medications, proper ID on all belongings.

QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD I STOCK IN MY RESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY KIT?

RESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY KIT

Money/cash (assume credit cards do not work) Place the following in a waterproof container: Last year's tax returns, inventory of possessions, sales

receipts, CERT badge (if you are CERT trained), insurance policies, medical information, personal phone book, credit card numbers (copy of both sides of your credit cards), valuables (jewelry), photo albums, etc.

Paper and writing implements Tall boot/work gloves for each household member Two-week supply of prescription medicines Two coolers, one for food and one for ice Two-week supply of nonperishable food (special dietary food, if needed) Three to five day supply of drinking water---1gallon per person per day Three-day supply of pet food and water Water purification kit (tablets, chlorine bleach – plain - or iodine) Non-electric can opener Disposable plates, cups, utensils Flashlights and batteries for each family member Extra batteries for all battery operated items (flashlights, camera, radio, lamps) Portable radio/TV and batteries/hand cranked radio NOAA Weather Alert radio Fire extinguisher First Aid kit including bandages, antiseptic, pain reliever, and anti-diarrhea medicine, First Aid booklet

or American Red Cross free First Aid “app” available for IPAD, etc. Mosquito repellent

Page 10 of 15

QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION KIT?

(http:allhazards.scgov.net/stayorgo.aspx)

If you choose to go to a shelter, in addition to the items you want to take from the Residential Emergency Kit consider taking the items listed below. Place loose items in airtight bags. Place other items in suitcases or plastic containers.

Keep readily available.

Important papers in a waterproof container. Adequate cash (assume credit cards do not work) Prescription medicines Duplicate keys/car keys Sleeping bags/air mattresses; pillows, blankets Extra clothing for the conditions Folding chairs, lawn chairs, cots Personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, comb, deodorant Games, books, playing cards, toys Snacks/non-perishable food

Page 11 of 15

QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT MY UTILITIES?

Utility Shut Off Location Affected Items Suggested Alternatives

Power Master Switch in Load Center in Garage

Should be shut off if flooding threatens the house.

LightingRadio and TVCordless PhonesCentral Alarm System

Garage Door OpenerWasher/Dryer/DishwasherDoor BellBattery ChargersRange/MicrowaveRefrigerator/Freezer

Pool

Candles/FlashlightsBattery RadioHard Wired PhoneBattery Smoke DetectorsRelease Latch

Keep stock of batteriesBBQ (outdoors)Fill freezer space with bags of ice. Keep doors closed

Super Chlorinate earlyNatural gas TECO recommends leaving GAS

on. If you need to shut off do not use master shut off near meter except in case of serious leak. Use shut offs near each appliance. YOU WILL NEED A PLUMBER OR GAS FITTER TO RE-LIGHT

Gas rangeGas dryerNG BBQWater and pool heaterFurnace

BBQ (outdoors) Charcoal/

Propane BBQ

Water Shut off at the valve on the side of the house.

ToiletsSinksBathsWater to refrigerator

Fill baths (seal with plastic sheeting)

Bottled waterCell Phone Keep your phone charged Cell Phones Use hard wired phone

Telephone Pull out all wall connections to avoid damage from voltage surges

Cordless and Hard wired phones

Cell Phone

Television Disconnect TV’s and electronic equipment to avoid damage from surges.

Cable TV

Internet Service

Use antenna TV or Dish

Dial Up service

Page 12 of 15

QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE SUGGESTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES?

IF YOU LEAVE BEFORE A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER

Tell your Zone Leader, your family members, and your neighbors where you are going and how you can be contacted. Provide the phone number and the address of the place where you can be located if you have a predetermined location.

Leave an extra key with a neighbor or friend and tell your Zone Captain where the key can be located. Fill car gas tank(s); check oil, air, and water. Decide how you will arm or disarm your security system. Notify your security company and your key

holder(s). Check that all movable outside items are removed. Unplug and/or shut off utilities ---such as electricity, water. Lock windows and doors. Secure shutters. Super chlorinate pool. Lock up. Leave early. Use recommended route, take maps, and check radio

QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT SHELTERS?https://www.scgov.net/AllHazards/All%20Hazards/2011%20Shelter%20List.pdf

Approved Evacuation Shelters are opened by the County (South Sarasota) or the Red Cross (North Sarasota). What shelter(s) will be opened is decided on a case by case basis, after evaluating the situation and the potential threats.

LISTEN TO TV AND RADIO. DO NOT USE PREVIOUS EVENT INFORMATION

QUESTION: WHERE DO I GET CURRENT INFORMATION ON AN EVENT?1. Local Cable Television---At present, Comcast Channels 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 17, and 19 provide

continuous, updated, local information on threatening severe weather conditions, and may also broadcast Emergency Evacuation Bulletins. Verizon channels 8, 11

2. National Cable Television---Comcast Channel 31 is the Weather Channel, and provides updates from the National Hurricane Center. Verizon is 49

3. Local Radio---WFLA---AM 970, WSSR---FM 95.7, WFLZ---FM 93.3 and WMTX---FM 100.7 have emergency power provisions to continue to broadcast even if they lose normal power. If your television is not working, listen to TV channel 7's audio on WLSS---AM 930. Radios powered by hand cranking rather than battery power are available for purchase. WHTP-FM 102.5 has back up service and can broadcast through the emergency operations center (EOC). Use frequency 162.4 for relevant local information. For Emergency Radios, Sarasota County Code is 012115

4. National Weather --- A special NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio station updates weather messages every 1 to 3 hours. These messages are repeated a minimum of every 4 - 6 minutes. NOAA messages are not available on a regular AM/FM radio, but on a special radio that has a Weather Band(WB). Sarasota County code is 021115

5. Phonebooks and the Newspaper---Two very informative phonebooks are those by Verizon and the Yellow Book. They contain a wealth of information on emergency preparedness including evacuation routes and zones, shelter locations (which may very well have changed since printed therein) and supply kits like those on pages 14-20 (Verizon 2011-2012).

Page 13 of 15

QUESTION: WHAT ARE IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND WEB SITES?

Red Cross Sarasota Office 2001 Cantu Court

Sarasota, FL 34232941-379-9300

www.flwestcoastredcross.org

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Hurricane, family, pets preparedness, link to new maps of flood zones

1-850-413-9900 (Recovery contacts)

www.floridadisaster.org

Sarasota County Government – Emergency Operations Center

Links to maps; hurricane information; people with special needs info; pet owner, family preparation and shelter info.

941-861-5485 (Emergency Management)

https://www.scgov.net

Weather: NOAA

Official US Weather, marine, fire and aviation forecasts, warnings

www.nws.noaa.gov

Weather: AccuWeather

Commercial weather service, timely, free web weather site

www.accuweather.com

Weather Channel

Continuous local and national coverage

Comcast 31 www.weather.com

Willowbend Willowbend Community Association website

www.willowbendcommunity.com

United Way 211

Community resources available for emergency and disaster victims

211 or 941-308-4357

https://211suncoast.communityos.org/cms/

Fire/Sheriff/Ambulance/Poison/Animal ServicesFire/Sheriff/Ambulance EMERGENCY ONLY including

SUSPECTED GAS LEAKS911

Poison Control Center Call directly. Do not call 911 first; if you do you will be referred to 1-800-222-1222 (National Hotline Number)

1-800-222-1222

Nokomis Fire Department Non-emergency 941-488-8855

Sarasota County Sheriff Non-emergency 941-316-1201 (direct line)941-861-1704 (South County desk)

Animal Services (Mobile) 941-861-9500

Property Management Company Lighthouse Property Management

16 Church Street, Osprey, FL 34229

941-966-6844

Page 14 of 15

Hospitals and Walk-In ClinicsVenice Regional Medical Center

540 The Rialto, Venice FL 34285

941-485-7711www.veniceregional.com

Doctors Hospital of Sarasota 5731 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL

941-342-1100www.doctorsofsarasota.com

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

urgent treatment for immediate health concerns such as:

Sprains & fractures Eye injuries

Lacerations & burns

1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL. 34239

Gulf Gate Walk –In6130 S. Tamiami Trail

941-917-9000www.smh.com

941-917-56787 day 8 to 8

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