Hurricane Basics
What does FEMA stand for?
Federal Emergency Management Agency
What should you board up on your house to protect it from flying debris?
Windows and doors
What is the FEMA document that records activities and details during an incident?
A 214 form
What does ERP stand for?
Emergency Response Plan
What were the names of the hurricanes we experienced last year (2024)?
Hurricanes Helene and Milton
What is the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible and a hurricane warning means that hurricane-force winds are expected. Hurricane warnings are much more serious.
Where should you move larger objects that usually reside outside (e.g., cars) before a hurricane?
Your garage or another durable place with shelter
Whose names should you include on your 214 form if you have two people in your vehicle?
Two. Both people should be noted on the 214 form
Who is the spokesperson for the utility for external communications (the media, community partners, etc.)?
The Public Information Officer
What hurricane hit Florida on a holiday, coining its name?
The Labor Day Hurricane (1935)
What time of year is hurricane season?
June 1st - November 30th
How long should a hurricane emergency kit last?
at least 3 days (72 hours)
Who do you turn your completed 214 forms to?
Your supervisor
According to the Emergency Response Plan (ERP), what forms of internal communication are provided to the department?
Land-based telephones, Cellular phones, and two-way radios
What is the highest number of hurricanes to make landfall in Florida in one season?
4: Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne in 2004
How strong must winds get for a storm to be considered a hurricane?
74 mph
What materials should you include in your emergency kit?
Food and water supplies, medicine supplies, emergency power sources (flashlights, batteries, etc.), safety and personal items, and important documents
What characteristics should you include of the tools you are using for your 214 form?
All of them! (brand, make, model, battery power, etc.). The more specific, the better
According to the ERP, what are some ways to prepare the office and field crews for a hurricane?
Checking that generators are operational, making sure all vehicles and pieces of equipment requiring gas have full tanks, testing all communication equipment, placing plants in storm mode and notifying FDEP and FDOH, etc.
What direction do hurricanes spin in Florida?
Counter-clockwise, this is because of the Coriolis Force, which comes from the Earth's rotation.
What are the five major characteristics of a hurricane?
Heavy rain, high winds, storm surge, tornados, and flooding
What should you do to protect yourself when you are not evacuating for a hurricane?
Seeking higher ground and staying indoors and away from windows/doors
If you traveled 15 minutes to and from a sandbag station, worked there 7am-9am, and then worked as normal, how would you log your operational period?
Only the work associated with the incident, so in this case it would be 0645-0915
What are some of the emergency interconnects associated with our utility?
Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, Orchid Springs, Polk County, and Eagle Lake
When did the National Hurricane Center start naming hurricanes?
1953