What are Charley's lessons???

[ca859093]

Originally posted by ducklite
Actually, this is NOT the case. There is usually at least one shelter in every county that will accept pets.

In Orange County there are two. There is one up in Ocala. I do'nt even live in FL yet, but I've already taken the time to locate the shelters closest to me that I can go to with my pets. I have the closest three with directions to each.

As an FYI, there are various places that will take your pet for a longer term if your home is uninhabiltable after the fact. Most breed specific rescues, as well as many general no kill rescues have volunteers that will harbor pets displaced by a natural disaster until their families are in a position to take them back. Generally they want them up-to-date on vax, with proof. Some request a small fee to cover food expenses, others do it for free as a gesture of goodwill. We harbored three ferrets here in NJ after September 11 in NYC for two people who were unable to live in their homes for about a month.

Anne

There are NO shelters in my county that take pets, So I have to disagree that each county has at least one. Because my county and the counties around do not accept pets. I also looked at Orange county and I see no shelter that accepts pets, where are you finding this information?
NO public shelters accept pets, unless they are working pets with proof.

 

[ducklite]

These all take people and their pets:

Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Sanlando United Methodist, 1890 W. State Road 434, Longwood
Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E. State Road 44, DeLand
Bithlo Community Center, 18501 Washington St.

Anne

 

[danacara]

I would think that the key lesson would be to get out of the trailer, go to Walmart or a shelter or something, hang out somewhere where all four walls are firmly anchored to the ground. If a trailer is what you can afford, so be it, it's a great solution 99% of the time. But that last 1%, you have to get out of there to be safe.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Anne.....How did you find out about the shelters that take pets and people? I would love to find out if there are some in my area of Florida. I have printed out the list that you gave just in case we decide to run North should anything come our way.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by lvs_eeyore
Anne.....How did you find out about the shelters that take pets and people? I would love to find out if there are some in my area of Florida. I have printed out the list that you gave just in case we decide to run North should anything come our way.

They were all listed in the Orlando Sentinal. But last month, I got in touch with a breed specific rescue group in the area who provided me with the three closest to my house.

I realized I forgot to mention another that they gave me: Vanguard High, 7 NW 28 St., Ocala

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Charley definitely made us think about things.

We'll be buying a few things we weren't thinking about buying before. We figure even if we don't ever need them, we might be able to help a friend in need down the line by giving/loaning them out.

1. A portable generator, gas cans, and several 100 foot heavy duty outdoor rated extension cords.
2. Plywood, about 6-8 sheets that we will store in the garage or attic.
3. A few large ice chests that we can store ice in.
4. Three or four large heavy duty plastic drop cloths.
5. A weather band radio.
6. A Chainsaw.

After we got hit with Floyd a few years back, we started keeping 25 gallons of bottled water in our house in NJ. We'll do the same in FL. We also have a first aid kit, and all of our most valuable records are in a fire safe, water tight lockbox.

Anne

 

[ca859093]

Originally posted by ducklite
These all take people and their pets:

Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Sanlando United Methodist, 1890 W. State Road 434, Longwood
Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E. State Road 44, DeLand
Bithlo Community Center, 18501 Washington St.

Anne

Gosh, I had to do some searching to find those, and I only came across the fairgrounds.People in that area are very lucky, because we have none in a three county radius of me, that allows pets. I wish they did.I notice that these are not school shelters. Most of our shelters, so I guess that is why.
Thanks for letting us know where they are if we ever need to go inland.

LVS, you can also try this link. It shows all the counties website. Some are easier than other to navigate.

http://www.floridadisaster.org/fl_county_em.asp

 

[Bumbles]

There are NO shelters in my county that take pets, So I have to disagree that each county has at least one. NO public shelters accept pets, unless they are working pets with proof.

You're right and you're wrong. While not every county has shelters that accept pets.......some public shelters do accept pets. Ducklite was correct in that there was a shelter in Marion County that accepted pets and the Orlando area shelters as well that accept pets.

And for the record, (going back up a few responses) I don't think Wal-Mart is considered an acceptable shelter. Maybe it's because I've been through a few hurricanes, but large buildings with glass and lots of stuff that can fall on you is *not* the best place to go.

 

[NotUrsula]

Very important: a hand-crank generator to power your cell phone, or a few backup batteries. Once the storm hits, seal the phone and accessories in a waterproof bag. If you have to wade out, you don't want it ruined. Also, a couple of hundred feet of rope and a pulley come in handy, should you need to move large debris off the house or vehicles, or set up a lifeline.

An extra car battery isn't a bad idea, as is a chemical toilet such as you would use for camping. If you live near water, it's a good idea to have an inflatable boat handy (if the water rises you can tie the boat to the house, then get into it to stay above the rising water. Water is more surely deadly than wind. During hurricane Camille, many people drowned in their attics.)

Make sure that in the event that you cannot evacuate for whatever reason, that you have a designated safe area in your home. This should be a room that can be closed, and it should have no windows. If your house is designed so that you don't have such a room; think about making changes that will allow you to block off a hallway (install pocket doors, etc.). If it becomes necessary to use the room, shut your power off at the main before taking shelter.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by Miss Jasmine
As far as building codes go...the most strigent ones (the ones that Jim B mentioned) did not come online until 2002, 10 years AFTER Hurricane Andrew. I dare say that outside of Dade and Broward county (those counties have even HIGHER standards), there is no home that is hurricane proof. Just because a house is destroyed does not mean it was not up to code.

I would say that her are no homes really built to withstand a category 4 or 5 hurricane even with the stricter standards in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It is really chance whether your home is destroyed or stands. For example huses on my side of the street stood and had mostly roof and window damage while ones across the street were virtually flattened. What does a lot of damage is tornados spawned within the hurricane.

 

[Saffron]

Thank you for posting all those shelters ducklite and the information issa! I appreciate it very much. That makes me feel so much better. Now I know how to find out more info too by contacting specific breed rescuers.

CPM ... I'm with you! I'd drive over a hundred miles if I had to to keep my dog safe.

I understand how and why elderly people feel and do what they do when it comes to their pets. I wish they all had the information issa and ducklite shared with everyone.

Thank you again!