Hurricane & Storm Communications Toolkit

Hurricane [insert name] is a Category [insert category] storm that is moving [insert direction]. Forecasters are predicting the storm will make landfall [insert date/time of expected landfall]. This storm is capable of causing widespread power outages and property damages. Now is the time to prepare.

Hurricane [insert name] is headed our way. Take action now! Those in the storm’s path are urged to take the storm seriously. Assemble a hurricane survival kit that includes first aid supplies, a battery powered radio, tarps, batteries, flashlights, a few days’ supply of food and any needed prescription medicine, baby food and diapers, pet food, canned food and drinking water (at least one gallon per person, per day). Have extra cash on hand and make sure you have a full tank of gas in your car and proper fuel on hand for a gas grill and/or generator. (if you have a hurricane preparedness guide, include a link to it)

If you have been ordered to evacuate, please do so immediately. To find your best hurricane evacuation route, [insert information on evacuation routes]. Information about local shelters that will be open during the storm can be found [insert where it can be found or insert the shelter information here].

Residents who are evacuating or leaving the area are encouraged to find the closest public shelter or an evacuation location within your county to minimize the travel distance to your intended destination.

If you are evacuating or plan to leave the county or region before Hurricane [insert name] makes landfall, do not delay and leave immediately. Keep in mind that a lot of people will be on the roads causing traffic congestion and delays.

If you are evacuating, shut the main power off to your home at the main circuit breaker to avoid fires caused by rising waters.

Customers need to prepare now for the possibility of power outages following Hurricane [insert name].

If you are a customer that is medically dependent on electricity for oxygen or other equipment, please make sure you have a backup generator in place or additional power backup. Utilities typically cannot respond to customers with special needs during or immediately after a storm. Have an evacuation plan and know special needs shelter locations. If you or someone you know has special electrical medical equipment needs, notify the electric utility prior to the storm’s arrival. (If you have specific medically essential procedures, list them here.)

Prepare your house to minimize damage. Bring in outdoor furniture and anything else that is not tied down to prevent injury/damage from debris.

If you own a swimming pool, turn off all pumps and filters otherwise water from the approaching storm can damage them.

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest setting and avoid opening the doors. This will keep your food fresher longer.

Keep a few days’ worth of ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling.

Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.

Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours. Purchase or make ice cubes and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.

Group foods together in the freezer — this igloo effect helps the food stay cold longer.

[insert UTILITY name] and utilities across Florida have been preparing for Hurricane [insert name] for days. Utilities are pre-staging restoration workers and equipment now and are directly coordinating preparation and response efforts with state and local governments.

Our mutual aid network has been activated and additional lineworkers and other resources are being mobilized to assist any utility affected by Hurricane [insert name].

Please report any power outages you experience by [insert outage reporting information – phone number, online, app, etc.]. Don’t assume your neighbors have already reported the outage.

Storm restoration personnel are mobilized and ready to respond to any power outages once conditions are safe to do so. [insert UTILITY name] and other crews assisting in the restoration effort will work around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.

After the severe weather passes, crews will begin restoring power by repairing power plants, transmission lines, substations and main distribution lines. Once the main power lines are repaired, crews turn their attention to individual customer outages.

Continue to check Facebook for updates on Hurricane [insert name]. You can also find hurricane and power outage information on [insert link to your website and info on apps and other social media channels].

Hurricane [insert name] is a Category [insert category] storm headed for Florida. Now is the time to prepare and get plan, www.floridadisaster.org. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Hurricane [insert name] is capable of causing widespread power outages. Customers need to prepare to be without power. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Hurricane [insert name] is headed our way. Take action now! Get a plan and make sure you have an emergency supply kit. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

If you have been ordered to evacuate, please do so immediately. Hurricane evacuation routes can be found here [insert information on where to find evacuation routes]. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Ordered to evacuate? Find the closest public shelter or evacuation location within your county to minimize the travel distance to your intended destination. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

If you are evacuating, shut the main power off to your home at the main circuit breaker to avoid fires caused by rising waters. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Info about local shelters open during the storm can be found [insert where it can be found or insert the shelter information here]. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Your emergency supply kit should have: batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, water, medications, baby food, diapers & pet food. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Make sure your emergency supply kit has a few days’ worth of food and at least one gallon of water per person, per day. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Hurricane prep: have extra cash on hand and make sure you have a full tank of gas in your car. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Hurricane prep: have proper fuel on hand for a gas grill and/or generator. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Hurricane prep: make sure you have any important documents – insurance policies, birth certificates – in a waterproof container. Or, take pictures of the documents with your phone. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

If you are medically dependent on electricity for oxygen or other equipment, please have a backup generator or additional power backup. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Have special electrical medical equipment needs or know someone who does? Please notify us prior to the storm’s arrival. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Prepare your house to minimize damage. Bring in outdoor furniture and anything else that is not tied down to prevent injury/damage from debris. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

If you own a swimming pool, turn off all pumps and filters otherwise water from the approaching storm can damage them. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest setting and avoid opening the doors. This will keep your food fresher longer. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Purchase or make ice. Fill coolers to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

Group foods together in the freezer — this igloo effect helps the food stay cold longer. #BePrepared #FLPublicPower

FL utilities have been preparing for Hurricane [insert name]. Pre-staging crews & equipment now; coordinating with state & local gov. #FLPublicPower

Mutual aid network has been activated; additional lineworkers and other resources are being mobilized to assist. #FLPublicPower

Please report any power outages you experience. Don’t assume your neighbors have already reported the outage. #FLPublicPower

Storm restoration personnel are mobilized and ready to respond to any power outages once conditions are safe to do so. #FLPublicPower

Crews assisting in the restoration effort will work around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible. #FLPublicPower

After the storm, crews will begin restoring power by repairing power plants, transmission lines, substations & main distribution lines. #FLPublicPower

Once the main power lines are repaired, crews turn their attention to individual customer outages. #FLPublicPower

Continue to follow us for updates on power outages and restoration efforts. #FLPublicPower