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© St. Petersburg Times, published May 26, 2002
After a disaster, you may be without power, water, food or any of the services and businesses we rely on. Immediate response may not be possible, so residents must be prepared to be self-reliant for several weeks.
Be patient. Access to affected areas will be controlled. You wonÕt be able to return to your home until search and rescue operations are complete and safety hazards such as downed trees and power lines are cleared. It may take up to three days for emergency crews to reach your neighborhood. It may take two to four weeks before utilities are restored.
Stay tuned to your local radio station for advice and instructions about emergency medical aid, food and other forms of assistance.
Have a valid ID. Security operations will include checkpoints. Valid identification with your current local address will be required.
Avoid driving. Roads will have debris, which will puncture your tires. DonÕt add to the congestion of relief workers, supply trucks, law enforcement, etc.
DonÕt sight-see, especially at night.
Avoid downed or dangling utility wires. Metal fences may have been energized by fallen wires. Be especially careful when cutting or clearing fallen trees. They may have power lines tangled in them.
Beware of snakes, insects or animals driven to higher ground by floods.
Enter your home with caution. Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
If there has been flooding, have an electrician inspect your home or office before turning on the breaker.
Be careful with fire. Do not strike a match until you are sure there are no breaks in gas lines. Avoid candles. Use battery-operated flashlights and lanterns instead.
Keep grills outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
Use your telephone only for emergencies to keep lines open for emergency communications.
Make temporary repairs to correct safety hazards and minimize further damage. This may include covering holes in the roof, walls or windows and debris removal.
Protect yourself from contractor fraud. Only hire licensed contractors to do repairs. Check with the local building department to ensure the contractor is licensed. If you hire a contractor, donÕt pull the permits for him. If the contractor makes this request, it may be an indication that he is not properly licensed.
Take photographs of all damage before repairs and keep receipts for insurance purposes.
After assessing damage to your home, contact your local building department for information on required building permits. Permits are always required for any kind of demolition or permanent repairs, reconstruction, roofing, filling and other types of site development. Report illegal flood plain development to your local building department. Local ordinances do not permit dumping in drainage canals or ditches because it causes backups and overflow in the system. Report illegal dumping.
Call professionals to remove large, uprooted trees, etc.
Always use proper safety equipment such as heavy gloves, safety goggles, heavy boots, light-colored long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
Tie back long hair, and wear a hat and sunscreen.
Drink plenty of fluids, rest and ask for help when you need it.
Lift with the legs, not with the back.
DonÕt burn trash.
If you canÕt identify it, donÕt touch it.
Be extremely careful with a chain saw and always heed safety warnings.
Whenever widespread flooding occurs, there is a potential for bacterial contamination. Bacteria, such as shigella and salmonella, can lead to life threatening dehydration for people and their pets if untreated.
Disinfect any tap water you drink or use for cooking or cleaning. You must purify the tap water until officials notify you of its safety. Bring water to a rolling boil for a full 10 minutes or use chemicals (eight drops of chlorine bleach or iodine per gallon) or water purification tablets, as directed. Let the water sit at least 10 minutes before using. Water you saved in clean containers before the storm will be fine for two to three weeks. To be sure, add two drops of chlorine or iodine per gallon before drinking.