FLORIDA's Hurricane Season
Florida's hurricane season is
from june 1 to november 30.
Mid-August to october tends to experience peak activity.
during a hurricane, you will likely experience severe wind, rain, flooding, and potential power outages. Some hurricanes may produce tornadoes.
READ A HURRICANE FORECAST
The hurricane can travel:
·down the middle of the forecast,
·along the right side of the forecast, or
·along the left side of the forecast.
Hurricanes have historically travelled outside the cone one-third of the time. Note this forecast only shows where the center will be. It does not show the size or shape of the storm’s dangers...so it doesn’t show where all of the strong winds, most rain, big storm surge, or tornadoes will be.
CHECKLIST AND FAQs
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD
BATTERIES AND CHARGERS
CASH
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
FIRST AID KIT
GALLON JUGS OF WATER
FLASHLIGHT
FILL YOUR CAR WITH GAS
TOOLS FOR QUICK REPAIR
BOARD GAMES
FAQs:
Will I need to evacuate?
Gainesville is considered a safer area because it is not located near the coast.
What should I do if I plan on leaving?
Leave at least 24 hours before the event and go away from the storm.
What should I do with my car?
Park your car away from trees and on higher ground.
When should I start to prepare?
Start getting 1-2 items on your checklist each trip and prioritize. Make sure to have a soft plan in case a hurricane is in your path.
Need to gather your supplies on a budget? Florida has a tax-free natural disaster preparedness holiday coming up on Aug. 26 through Sept. 8.
Hurricane preparedness
BEFORE:
- The university will be in contact via email regarding closing university activities.
- Hurricane damage may cause power outages, disrupt water supply, and prevent more food and gas from arriving for several days.
- Bus service in Gainesville typically stop running when winds get over 55 kph, or 35 mph.
- It is common for UF buildings to flood due to heavy rain, especially the basements. Consider removing items from the floor.
- UF buildings will be closed during a hurricane and are not good options for shelter.
- Close and lock all doors after leaving.
DURING:
- Do not leave your building during a storm unless your safety is obviously in danger.
- Use text and email rather than calling or video chat when able. It is likely for phone towers to be damaged or lack power during a hurricane, limiting the amount of signal for everyone to use.
- Charge phones and flashlights while power remains.
- Hurricanes take hours to pass. Find ways to pass the time that don’t require electricity while maintaining your ability to monitor your surroundings.
AFTER:
- The university will be in contact via email regarding any resumption of classes and other university activities.
- When communicating, use text and email rather than calling or video chat when able.
- Do not try to drive or walk through flood water.
- If you smell natural gas, leave the building immediately.
- Be aware of downed power lines which may still be “live” and can still electrocute you.
- Be aware of trees and branches which may not have fallen yet, but may still fall due to wind.
- If you acquire a generator to provide power after the storm, it should be operated outdoors. It is very common for people to operate generators indoors or in a garage, resulting in the resident dying due to a build-up of carbon monoxide.
storm advice from uf students
Spend it with friends! A storm alone is never a good idea. - Gaby T.
Stay tuned to official resources such as NHC and the university emergency management - Tan D.
Alachua county gives out free sandbags, also a portable charger is a GODSEND!!! - Neha I.
Main thing is water and non perishables but that's obvious. Power WILL go out but just try to stay calm and enjoy the break as much as you can - Lily M.
Always bring an umbrella in your book bag, if it looks like it’s going to rain wear or bring an extra pair of shoes. - Rachael Y.
If you live in a dorm, contact housing to see what UF has. I.E. Cypress has hurricane impact windows, and I was told a “generator the size of a small school bus” in case power goes out so I felt safe there. - Aidan S.
Don’t wait for UF to cancel classes to prepare. - Robbie D.
Have games and something to do if the power goes out. - Kristen R.
WEATHER FORECASTS
National Hurricane Center – hurricanes.gov
National Weather Service – weather.gov/Jacksonville
UF Weather – wuft.org/news/weather; @ufweather on IG, Twitter, and FB.
Local TV news channels
The Eyewall – theeyewall.com
Stay in contact with peers.
APPS
·Gator Safe app - alerts from UF, guidance for actions to take, ways to report issues to university police, and more.
·Florida Storms App - provides alerts for nearby lightning, access to hurricane forecasts, and evacuation zones along the coasts. Gainesville is not in any evacuation zone.
·FEMA app - provides weather alert notifications. This is from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.
emergency communications
UF Alerts
In the past, the email detailing university’s closure have come from UF’s Chief Operating Officer and the Provost. These emails, with information specific to the department, are typically shared by the department chair, associate chair, and/or graduate coordinator.
Past announcements of UF closures for hurricanes:
·Hurricane Dorian: 3 Sep 2019 announcement made 4 days in advance.
·Tropical Storm Eta: 12 Nov 2020 announcement made 1 day in advance.
·Tropical Storm Elsa: 7 Jul 2021 announcement made 1 day in advance.
·Hurricane Ian: 28 Sep 2022 announcement made 2 days in advance.
·Tropical Storm Nicole: 10 Nov 2022 announcement made 2 days in advance.
Emergency Phone Communications
U.S. Medical, Police, Fire emergencies:
911
UF Police:
352-392-1111
Phone settings:
Make sure Emergency Alerts are turned on.
WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS?
Florida Division of Emergency Management:
floridadisaster.org; and @FLSERT on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Alachua County Division of Emergency Management:
www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/PublicSafety/em/Pages/EmergencyManagement.aspx
UF Emergency Management:
emergency.ufl.edu; and @uflorida on Instagram and Facebook, @UF on Twitter. Information is also posted on the main ufl.edu website.
interested in learning more about weather?
Get involved with the Gator Chapter of the American Meteorological Society at UF. All students welcome! Click the images below:
