This info was posted from Joseph from Nextdoor’s Comunity Team (Staff) https://nextdoor.com/agency/feed/ If you go to this link there are two posts, if you scroll down on this Nextdoor link it will give you more info in the second post.
I am reposting here on my website one post. This is not my expertise, I am just sharing the info so more people can have access to this very helpful post from Nextdoor. Note: Also St Johns County has a Hurricane Preparedness Guide — click here to go to the guide.
Post from Nextdoor:
Post info from 10/3 – most info here was repeated on 10/5 also (see below):
If #Ian caused damage to your home or belongings, document it before you clean it up:
Take photos before you begin to clean up. ? Make a list of damaged or lost items & gather receipts. ? Do not touch or cut power lines as they may be live If you have evacuated, please only return home until local officials say it is safe. Check https://fl511.com/ for traffic conditions.
INFO/LINKS:
-Food/Water/General Resources – https://www.floridadisaster.org/Info
-State Assistance Information Line: 1-800-342-3557
-Report a missing person: http://Missing.Florida.gov
-Report a safe person: http://Safe.Florida.gov
-Disaster Assistance: http://DisasterAssistance.gov
Donate: http://Volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/ ?? Volunteer: http://Volunteerflorida.org
REBOOT CELL PHONES DAILY: As cellular service restoration continues, providers recommend rebooting cell phones each morning. This will help your phone connect to the closest appropriate tower. For more questions and updates, please contact your service provider.
TIPS TO CLEAN UP SAFELY:
-Wait until daylight to clean up – Don’t touch or cut any downed lines – Stay away from flooded areas – Be sure to take lots of breaks to avoid straining your body. – Be very careful with chainsaws and other power tools. – Stay hydrated and take breaks in the A/C (if available).
Hurricane Ian recovery updates 10/5: Finding loved ones, CO poisoning, volunteering virtually, tree-removal scams, cleaning mold safely, and FEMA individual assistance. Please review, forward, and share/repost.
Some of you may have seen these updates are repeats from earlier this week; I’m repeating them for neighbors who just got power back. Thanks in advance for understanding.
To find trusted information from local public agencies on Nextdoor, go to https://nextdoor.com/agency/feed
Need help or have/need local information? Post to YOUR neighborhood’s Nextdoor news feed using this link – https://nextdoor.com/news_feed/?open_composer=true&hashtag=bettertogether – be sure to select “Your neighborhood” or “Nearby neighborhoods” to reach the neighbors closest to you.
NEED HELP LOCATING A LOVED ONE?
If you need assistance locating a loved one that is missing due to #HurricaneIan, please visit http://Missing.FL.gov.
Additionally, you can assist with first responders’ efforts by letting us know you or someone you love is safe by visiting http://Safe.FL.gov.
DO YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) POISONING?
Improper use of portable generators can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.
This colorless, odorless gas can build to deadly levels within minutes in enclosed spaces.
Know the symptoms: – Dizziness – Headache – Shortness of breath – Chest pain
Use your portable gas power generators safely by remembering the 20-20-20 rule:
– 20 feet away from your home
– 20 minutes of cool down before refueling
– 20 dollars for a carbon monoxide alarm
WISH TO VOLUNTEER VIRTUALLY?
Volunteer Florida has posted #HurricaneIan Virtual Volunteer Opportunities! To find a list of all opportunities or to register as a partner organization, go to http://volunteerflorida.org #ServeFL
HAS MY COUNTY BEEN DECLARED A DISASTER YET? Check here https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4673/designated-areas
WHERE CAN I FIND EMERGENCY FOOD AND WATER? To find food and water points of distribution (PODs) – https://www.floridadisaster.org/info
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO AVOID TREE REMOVAL SCAMS
Tips from the Attorney General:
– Be wary of unsolicited offers – Get multiple written estimates & make sure debris removal is included – Research company – Check for current proof of insurance – Never pay in full until a job is complete
HOW DO I SAFELY CLEAN UP MOLD?
Removing mold is one of the most common cleaning tasks after flooding. When removing mold, never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia and other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
To remove mold growth from hard surfaces, use commercial products, soap, and water or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use (see product label). Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.
Clean up and dry out the building as quickly as you can.
When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items, like carpet, drywall, and insulation material, that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth and should be removed from the home.
Mold exposure can lead to asthma attacks, eye and skin irritation, and allergic reactions. It can lead to severe infections in people with weakened immune systems. People with asthma or weakened immune systems should avoid contaminated buildings and water as much as possible.
For more information about how to safely return home after a disaster, visit https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.html
HOW DO I APPLY FOR FEMA INVIDUAL ASSSITANCE?
Florida homeowners & renters with insurance in counties affected by #HurricaneIan can apply for Individual Assistance.
1. File a claim with your insurance company. 2. Apply for FEMA assistance & submit a copy of your claim – don’t wait!
When applying for individual assistance through FEMA please keep in mind that hold times might be longer than usual.
You can also download the FEMA app for smartphones or visit http://DisasterAssistance.gov.
Federal disaster assistance is available to affected individuals in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota and Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties following the impact of Hurricane Ian.
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
When you apply for assistance, have the following information ready:
– A current phone number where you can be contacted – Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying – Your Social Security number – A general list of damage and losses – Banking information if you choose direct deposit – If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
Survivors may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from the Hurricane Ian. If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
Take photos to document damage, inside and out, before you begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.
Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging, home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses.
REMINDERS: If #Ian caused damage to your home or belongings, document it before you clean it up: – Take photos before you begin to clean up. – Make a list of damaged or lost items & gather receipts. – Do not touch or cut power lines as they may be live
If you have evacuated, please only return home until local officials say it is safe. Check https://fl511.com/ for traffic conditions.
INFO/LINKS: – Food/Water/General Resources – https://www.floridadisaster.org/Info – State Assistance Information Line: 1-800-342-3557 – Report a missing person: http://Missing.Florida.gov – Report a safe person: http://Safe.Florida.gov – Disaster Assistance: http://DisasterAssistance.gov – Donate: http://Volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/ – Volunteer: http://Volunteerflorida.org
NEED HELP CLEANING UP? ? http://VolunteerFlorida.org has registered organizations ready & able to assist you in your recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian.
These organizations are free & should be able to show you their credentials/
FOOD SAFETY: When returning home after a power outage, here are some food safety tips to follow:
– Don’t taste the food – Use a thermometer to check food temperature – Throw away food that is 40+ degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours Learn more – http://FloridaDisaster.org/Info
PLEASE SORT DEBRIS: Sort debris into piles and place them curbside. DO NOT block roadways. – Vegetative debris – Hazardous waste – Construction materials – Household garbage – Large appliances – Electronics
Contact your local emergency management office for more.
