Notes & Reminders:

As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Milton is heading towards Tampa Bay, with potential to create severe flooding as well as heavy wind/rain throughout the area (not something to ignore). In addition to any specific plans you have already made or begun doing, here are a few thoughts/suggestions to prepare (in terms of personal protection and safety as well as an insurance perspective).

We plan to be open normal hours Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday are less certain, depending on storm track and evacuation needs. I will also be trying to monitor this email (hurricane@meekinsurance.com) throughout the days between breaks while preparing at home and at the office.

I’ll be sending more information over the coming days, but I wanted to get these items to you in hopes you have some preparation time today or tomorrow:

1. Take photos and/or videos of every space in or around your home where items may be located or stored, as these may be helpful to prove items and/or help you remember what you had if a claim list is needed:
   1. Each room (take a photo from each corner of each room)
   2. Each closet/pantry
   3. Each drawer
   4. Each cabinet
   5. Appliances (fridge/freezer/etc.)
   6. Safe Contents
   7. Items Under beds/furniture
   8. Garage
   9. Patio/Porches
   10. Sheds/Storage Buildings
   11. Attic
   12. Higher Value items (take photos of brand/model/serial number if possible)
2. If you have hurricane shutters, consider installing them earlier than later before heavy winds and rain arrive
3. Tape around doors or windows where driving rain may intrude during heavy wind/rain (use proper tape for this)
4. Prepare any possible openings with sand bags, etc. where water may reach
5. Have key supplies with you
6. Keep important documents with you (in water proof bags) in case you leave
7. Move any loose items from outside to inside
8. Move any belongings as high as possible (upper floors, attics, in from garage, on top of furniture, etc.)
9. Plan for pets/animals (food, location, etc.)
10. Properly handle water-related items:
    1. Raise Dock Lifts
    2. Remove or Secure Boats/Jet Skis/Etc. OR Tie them properly
       • Good info on Pinellas County site below:
       • https://pinellas.gov/preparing-your-boat-for-hurricane-season
    3. Turn off power to docks (or anywhere water may reach/cover)
11. Move vehicles as far away from any tidal surge as possible (see map link below for up to date surge projections throughout storm)
12. Monitor storm updates. Remember, the storm track could change at anytime, making things better or worse from what you were expecting (stay vigilant)
13. Take evacuation notices seriously. Staying within a water/tidal reach area is not a wise move (things can be replaced, but you cannot).
    1. If evacuating, consider water and electricity to the home, as some may be wise to shut off

Hurricane Milton Track Sites:

• NOAA Website Link: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/085051.shtml?cone#contents
• Spaghetti Plots Link: https://www.cyclocane.com/milton-storm-tracker/

Projected Water Surge level projections: 

• Website Link: https://cera.coastalrisk.live/
• Notes:
  • This shows the water levels above Main Sea Level. It is my understanding that this does include normal tide levels in the maximum projection
  • You can also use this link/map to toggle to show “Inundation Depth above Ground” by choosing and expanding the menu to the right of the map and then clicking the Maximum Inundation button in that expanded menu. This is very helpful to show what land areas are projected to be covered by water (and by how much)

Evacuation Zone Information in counties most possible of being impacted:

• Hillsborough: https://hcfl.gov/residents/public-safety/emergency-management/find-evacuation-information
• Pasco: https://pascogis.pascocountyfl.net/evaczone/finder.html
• Pinellas: https://pinellas.gov/evacuation/
• Manatee: https://www.mymanatee.org/departments/public_safety/emergency_management/evacuation_levels
• Sarasota: https://sarco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=0219841617274028b5bf5867fcf4c57b
• Charlotte: https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/know-your-zone.stml
• Collier: https://collierbcc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/InformationLookup/index.html?appid=2299a87f637b422c95661c889ce6bdd6
• Lee: https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/knowyourzone
• Monroe: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/897/Evacuation-Information

Timing of Water Level increases:

• Website Link: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/inundationdb/
• Although we are too early for accurate projections yet, this site  (this site was helpful and pretty accurate with Helene)

I’ll try to send another email later, but I am preparing our home and office in the interim (taking my own advice from above)…Please be safe as you prepare for this storm!

Sincerely,
Joel Meek, Agency Owner