THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LAKELAND’S HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS PLAN

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EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

Emergency - Police, Fire, Rescue, Emergency Medical Services - Dial 911

City of Lakeland Agencies:

Police Department: (863) 834-6900
Fire Department: (863) 834-8200
Power Outage: (863) 834-4248
Lakeland City Hall: (863) 834-6000
LRMC Hospital: (863) 687-1100

Polk County Agencies:

Sheriff’s Department  (863) 533-0344
Fire Department  (863) 534-0380
Emergency Management  (863) 519-7300
Shelters  (863) 534-0321
Special Needs Shelter  (863) 534-0321
Pet-Friendly Shelters  (863) 534-5600
Animal Services  (863) 499-2600

Government Agencies:

State Emergency Information  (800) 342-3557
FEMA  (800) 462-9029
Department of Insurance  (800) 342-2762

Other Agencies:

Red Cross  (863) 294-5941
Salvation Army  (863) 682-8179
TECO Gas  (877) 832-6911

Radio Emergency Broadcast System:

WONN  1230 AM
WPCV  97.5 FM

The Housing Authority of the City of Lakeland:

Westlake Office  (863) 682-7611
Maintenance Department  (863) 450-8407
Emergency  (863) 450-8407


HURRICANE SURVIVAL KIT

- Baby Food, Diapers and Formula
- Battery Operated Radio and Extra Batteries
- Camera and Film
- Bleach and Sanitizing Supplies
- Butane Lighters
- Candles and Matches
- Cards, Books and Games
- Compass
- Duct Tape
- Tools (Saw, Hammer, Crowbar)
- Leather Work Gloves
- Fire Extinguisher
- First Aid Kit
- Prescription Medications
- Emergency Telephone Numbers
- Bug Spray or Lotion
- Flashlight and Batteries
- Rope, Plastic Trash Bags, Lantern and Extra Fuel
- Heavy Plastic or Tarp
- Emergency Cooking Utensils (Sterno)
- Manual Can Opener
- Non-Perishable Canned Foods and Beverages
- Pet Food
- Sleeping Bags
- Toiletries
- Water Purification Tablets
- Water Containers
- Non-Perishable Foods

All important papers should be placed in a folder then inside a plastic bag to waterproof them from the elements.

HURRICANE INFORMATION


KEEP SUPPLIES – be sure to have a two weeks supply of non-perishable foods, water and your medications, as well as extra cash.  Canned food and a can opener, store dry goods in plastic bags, keep personal items up high to avoid water damage, remember not to drink tap water if the power goes out or the radio informs you of possible contamination.

BE PREPARED – keep emergency equipment such as flashlights, battery operated radios, extension cords, and extra batteries.  Remove all your lawn ornaments, chairs and outdoor items that may blow away or become projectiles during a storm with heavy winds.

DURING THE HURRICANE:

- Use your telephone for necessary calls only, leaving telephone lines open for emergency calls only.  You may have to wait for the dial tone, (sometimes you will hear a recording faster, or a “fast busy” signal which means the system is temporarily overloaded.  The telephone company automatically locates and identifies problems as they occur, you do not need to call the repair service.)
- Call your local office of Emergency Management to make arrangements for individuals with special needs.
- Make provisions for food and water for your pets if you need to evacuate.  Remember pets are not permitted in emergency shelters.
- Listen to weather updates and keep a portable radio ready at all times.
- Keep your flashlight, batteries and portable radio on the ready.
- Store all drinking water in clean containers.
- Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas in the event there is a mandatory evacuation.

IF ORDERED TO EVACUATE – obey immediately, take your Hurricane Survival Kit; turn off the water and electricity.  Close all your windows and bring all your outdoor items inside your home.

- Be sure to keep a bag packed with your necessary medications – with a two week supply, cash, bottled water, dry clothing, a portable battery operated radio with fresh batteries and a flashlight with fresh batteries.  Pillows, blankets and a blow up mattress for the shelter to keep comfortable.
- If you are homebound or under a physician’s care, but not a patient of a home health care agency, call your physician for special instructions or additional medications.
- If you use any electrically dependent equipment, such as respirators – contact your physician for advice or special instructions in case of power outages.
- If you use oxygen, contact your supplier for additional supplies.
- If you evacuate, take your medications and any necessary equipment with you.  It is a good idea also to write out medical instructions regarding your care and recent medical history.
- If you feel you need assistance in an evacuation and do not have friends or family nearby to offer that assistance, register with County Emergency Management Agencies now.

HURRICANE SEASON
LET’S BE PREPARED

Please be prepared when a hurricane is approaching by doing the following:

- Make sure renters insurance is paid up-to-date, including flood insurance.
- Have one week’s supply of cash.
- Fill your care with gas and park away from trees.
- Make a list of loose items that should be brought inside or tied down.
- Place valuables, important papers and family photo albums in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box.  Make copies of papers you may need after the hurricane, such as insurance documents and receipts for purchases.
- Please remove all items off your balcony.
- Do not tape windows, it affords no hurricane protection.
- Stay tuned to the radio and television for any warnings, watches or evacuations.
- Do not be fooled by the eye of the hurricane, the storm is only half over at that point.

Have a supply of:

- Paper towels, plates, cups and plastic utensils.
- Personal hygiene supplies (deodorant, toothpaste, etc.) and toilet paper.
- Clean empty containers for storing water, for drinking, washing and cooking.
- Manual can opener
- Mosquito repellent, wind-up clock, absorbent towels and rags.
- Bottled water, Gatorade, evaporated milk, fruit juice, instant drinks, coffee, tea, etc.
- Canned foods such as vegetables, soups, fish, meats and fruits.
- Prescriptions
- Pet food
- Batteries for flashlights
- Radio – battery operated.
- Check supplies for special medicines and drugs.

IF YOU ARE IN AN EVACUATION, PLEASE VACATE

Please visit your local Publix Supermarket for additional information with their information guide.

DO ALL THIS WITH TIME TO SPARE
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE

HURRICANE INFORMATION

Hurricane Shelter’s - Lakeland Housing Authority

- Blake Elementary School, 510 Hartsell Avenue
- Churchwell Elementary, 8201 Park Byrd Road
- Crystal Lake Middle School, 2410 North Crystal Lake Drive
- George Jenkins High School, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Road
- Kathleen High School, 2600 Crutchfield Road
- Kathleen Middle School, 3627 Kathleen Pines
- Lake Gibson High School, 7007 North Socrum Loop Road
- Lake Gibson Middle School, 6901 North Socrum Loop Road
- Lakeland Adult Daycare Center, 1200 Southern Avenue
- Lakeland High School, 726 South Hollingsworth Road
- Lakeland Highlands Middle School, 740 Lake Miriam Drive
- Lime Street Elementary, 1225 East Lime Street
- Padgett Elementary, 110 Leelon Road
- Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary, 6600 Green Road
- Rochelle School of the Arts, 1501 Martin Luther King Avenue
- Scott Lake Elementary, 1140 East CR 540A
- McKeel Middle Academy, 1810 West Parker Street
- Southwest Middle School, 2815 South Eden Parkway
- R. Bruce Wagner Elementary, 5500 Yates Road

Please pay attention to the local news channels as to which shelters are operating.


Special Care Program

The Polk County Special Care Program is designed to provide sheltering at specific locations for clients with medical and physical conditions who require assistance during an emergency.  The program also provides transportation to shelters for those unable to evacuate on their own.  Pre-registration in the program is necessary and is done by contacting Emergency Management at # (863) 534-5600.  Persons with medical equipment that requires electrical power or are oxygen dependant are assigned to these specially designated Special Care Shelters. 

These Special Care Facilities include the following:

- Lakeland Adult Daycare Center, 1200 Southern Avenue
- Polk County Health Department, 1255 Brice Boulevard

 10/5/2016