Moving to Florida especially for the fall DCP means you will be in Florida during hurricane season. Knowing how to prepare is a key step towards being safe.
Hurricanes were not something I had even realized I would have to deal with when I accepted my fall DCP, but here we are in the height of hurricane season and I have learned some tips that all hurricane first timers should abide by.
1. The locals know what's up
The people who you work with who are from Orlando or Florida or any state that has been impacted by a hurricane truly know what's up, so it's a good rule of thumb to react how they are. If they're not panicking then there is absolutely no reason for you to panic. If the locals say you'll be fine, trust that you'll be fine! They have been through many hurricanes and know what's up!
2. Determine what should be in your hurricane kit
It wasn't until there was the potential for Dorian to hit Florida that I even realized that there was more to do to prepare for a hurricane than just knowing it's coming. Here are a few things that you should consider having in preparation for a hurricane: water on hand; non-perishable foods; portable chargers; flashlights. There are many resources online that can help you determine the things you should have on hand if a hurricane were to hit.
3. The Weather Channel isn't always accurate
When Dorian started out they were convinced it was going to hit Florida and that it would be a Category 4 storm. Over a week later the track changed multiple times including no longer hitting Florida, becoming one of the strongest Category 5 storms of all times, and having its impacts pushed back over 2 days because the storm closed. While the Weather Channel can be your best friend on keeping you informed, it isn't always the most reliable or accurate source unless you're about 24-36 hours out.
4. Have fun with it
When Dorian was nearing Florida and the path of the storm remained uncertain there were geotags that appeared on Snapchat, Dorian cakes that appeared in supermarkets, and memes that appeared online. Breath. As long as you are prepared and have all the supplies you need there is nothing more you can do. Might as well have a bit of fun with it while you wait around hoping for the best.
Experiencing your first potential hurricane can be stressful and may not always be something you think about when you decide to move to Florida, but trust me when I say as long as you are prepared everything will turn out okay!
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