Hurricane Preparedness Resources: Be Ready Before the Storm

When a hurricane threatens Northwest Florida, preparation is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and recover more quickly after the storm. CHELCO encourages members to prepare early, stay informed, and familiarize themselves with the resources available before severe weather arrives.

Build a Disaster Supply Kit

Every household should have a disaster supply kit that can sustain family members for at least seven days following a storm. According to FloridaDisaster.org, a well-stocked kit should include food, water, medications, important documents, and emergency supplies.

Basic Disaster Supply Kit Checklist

Food & Water

• Nonperishable packaged or canned food
• Snack foods and beverages
• Baby food and special dietary items
• One gallon of water per person per day
• Non-electric can opener
• Paper plates, cups, napkins, and utensils

Medical & First Aid Supplies

• Two-week supply of prescription medications
• Regularly used medical supplies
• List of allergies and medical information
• First aid manual
• Bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, antiseptic, gloves, pain relievers, and other basic first-aid supplies

Emergency Supplies

• Flashlights (avoid using candles)
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Extra batteries
• Cell phone chargers
• Cash (banks and ATMs may be unavailable following a storm)

Important Documents

• Insurance cards
• Medical records
• Banking information
• Copies of birth certificates and Social Security cards
• Vehicle, home, and office keys
• Copies of wills and other important legal documents

Clothing & Personal Items

• Rain gear
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Work gloves

Vehicle Readiness

• Keep vehicle fuel tanks full

Pet Care Items

• Pet food and water for at least seven days
• Medications
• Carrier or cage
• Leash and muzzle
• Veterinary records and identification

Special Needs Items

• Supplies for infants, children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities

Register for the Florida Special Needs Registry

Individuals who may need assistance during emergencies are encouraged to enroll in Florida's Special Needs Registry.

The Florida Department of Health, in coordination with county health departments and local emergency management agencies, developed this registry to assist people with special needs before, during, and after disasters. The statewide registry provides valuable information to emergency responders and emergency management officials as they prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies.

Providing complete and accurate information helps local officials plan for future disasters and identify residents who may require assistance. Registrants will periodically receive emails asking them to verify and update their information to ensure records remain current.

For more information or to register, contact your local county emergency management agency or health department.

Sign Up for Local Emergency Alerts

CHELCO strongly encourages members to register for their county's emergency notification system. These alert systems provide important information about evacuations, shelter openings, severe weather conditions, road closures, and other emergency updates.

To find the emergency alert system for any county in Florida, visit AlertFlorida.

If you live within CHELCO's service area, be sure to follow updates from your county emergency management office throughout hurricane season.

Know How to Report and Track Outages

CHELCO has several convenient outage resources available to help members report and stay informed during restoration efforts.

Report an Outage

• Call(800) 342-0990 to report power outages.
• Download the MyCHELCO App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
• Text"MyCHELCO" to(800) 342-0990 to enroll in outage notifications and receive account-specific outage information.

Track Outages

For an interactive outage map showing affected areas, outage details, and available restoration information, visit the CHELCO Outage Map.

Update Your Contact Information with CHELCO

One of the simplest ways to prepare is to verify that CHELCO has your current contact information, including all cell phone numbers associated with your account. Keeping your information up to date allows CHELCO to provide important outage notifications, restoration updates, and other critical communications when severe weather impacts our service area.

Understanding How Power Is Restored

Following a major hurricane, power restoration follows a systematic process designed to safely restore service to the greatest number of members in the shortest amount of time. Crews first address transmission lines and substations that serve large portions of the electric system before moving to distribution lines and individual service connections.

Graphic explains the priority order crews follow during widespread outage restoration.

Remember, every storm is different, and restoration times depend on factors such as storm severity, accessibility, safety conditions, and the extent of damage.

Stay Ready This Hurricane Season

Preparing before a storm arrives can make a significant difference in your family's safety and comfort. Build your disaster supply kit, register for emergency alerts, understand your evacuation plans, and familiarize yourself with CHELCO's outage reporting tools now, before severe weather threatens our area.

By taking a few simple steps today, you'll be better prepared for whatever hurricane season may bring.