1. Know your zone! It is the county effort to get residents to be aware of the evacuation zone they are in. Check the SJCARES.org .

2. So you know your zone and you hear over the TV or Radio that your zone has been included in a prepare to evacuate notice. What do you do? Based on the threat, do you know what your evacuation routes are? Are there alternatives. Do you have your “go” bag ready. Do you have food and water to take with you. Do you have your medications where they can be easily gathered for transport. Do you need refrigeration for them? If you have pets, do you have a “go” bag for them that includes their food and other items they may need? All of this requires some effort at planning. Please take the time to think about these things and start jotting down how you would solve some of these problems, including where are you going if the evacuation order comes. The county web site, SJREADY.org can help with planning resources.

While evacuation orders should be followed there may individual factors that impact a GO or STAY decision. Missing the evacuation deadline is bad and can be attested to by those people in Florida who choose to stay in their homes while in the path of a Hurricane. However, a bad situation can be mitigated with proper planning and knowing your threat. There will be more on this next week.

3. I would like you all to think about volunteering to look over the new County Emergency band plan and check some of the frequencies. Let me know if you are interested.