What are the actions to take when you receive a hurricane watch or warning alert from the National Weather Service for your local area?

• Monitor news reports so you are aware of the progress of the storm. Good sources for hurricane information include http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ . Find helpful emergency preparedness tips at http://collier72.org/home
• Update your phone and social media contacts so you are able to communicate easily.
• Charge your cell phone and other electronic devices.
• Communicate with your family. Designate someone who you will communicate with and let others know who that will be. It is usually easier to call out of an area after a storm than it is for others to call into the area.
• Fuel your vehicle to avoid lines at the pumps
• Get extra cash.
• Have a flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Have a first aid kit and mosquito repellant
• Make sure you have a supply of medications, food, and water to last three to seven days in case power to our area is out. Recommendations include one gallon of water per day per person, canned foods, high-energy foods such a peanut butter, trail mix, and granola bars. Don’t forget a can opener.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture.
• Turn off or unplug small appliances and electronics that are not needed.
• Turn up your refrigerator to its coldest setting.
• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water.
• Be aware that campus elevators may be disabled to prevent operation.
• If power is lost, Turn off your air conditioner. Avoid opening your refrigerator so that the contents will remain cold longer.

Consumers can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the 2022 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Saturday, May 28 and extends through Friday, June 10. The Department of Revenue created a webpage to provide information and promotional materials for consumers, businesses, and other interested parties.

Collier County encourages all residents to sign up for Alert Collier, the County’s mass notification system. When you sign up with Alert Collier, you can enter up to five addresses within the County boundaries that you would like to receive emergency alerts. For example, enter your home, work, relative, school, or other meaningful address. Then, you will receive a notification if an alert is issued for that location. Register at AlertCollier.com or call 3-1-1 within Collier County.

View the Collier County online edition of our All Hazards Guide for more information.

Items To Remember:

• Never leave your pet(s) outside during a storm.
• Never leave a cat with a dog, even if the two are normally friends.
• confine and keep small pets (birds, hamsters, etc.) away from cats and dogs.
• Dangerous animals should be secured in special crates or cages.
• Local Animal Services Phone Number: Domestic Animal Services Department: (239)252-7387

• Go to an interior room such as an inside closet or bathroom, preferably with no windows. If the room has a window, keep the window covered.
• Stay off the phone because lightning may accompany the storm.
• Close the interior doors to all of the rooms in the house in case some damage occurs to one or some of the rooms but not all of them.
• Take supplies with you into the room, including food, water, medications, flashlight, battery-powered radio, cellphone and charger, extra batteries, pet food, and plastic bags.
• Bring first aid items and important papers.
• Bring a mattress into the room to buttress against the door or have it ready to hide under if necessary.
• Bring something to do as hurricanes can take hours to pass.
• Stay inside until you are positive the storm has passed and it is not the eye of the storm.

• Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
• If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
• Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
• Stay out of any building that has water around it.
• Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes.
• Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
• Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
• Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.

If an evacuation order is issued by emergency management officials, all members of the Ave Maria School of Law community will be required to evacuate. Notice of evacuation will be distributed via our Emergency Communications System, through e-mail, and the portal. Make sure you have a plan.

• Know where you are going: homes of friends or family members, hotels, or shelters. You may want a roadmap in case mobile connectivity is disrupted. Plan alternate routes in case of heavy traffic or blockages.
• Don’t delay evacuating because roads can become congested. Going north on I-75 may not be the best route.
• Nearby shelters include Vineyards Elementary (next door) and Gulf Coast High School (Immokalee Road between Logan and Collier).
• Communicate your travel plans to your family. Designate someone who you will communicate with and let others know who that will be. It is usually easier to call out of an area after a storm than it is for others to call into the area.
• Nearby shelters include Vineyards Elementary (next door) and Gulf Coast High School (Immokalee Road between Logan and Collier).