🌀 Hurricane Preparedness & Response Guide

🚨 Evacuation & Safety

• Evacuate early if you live in a storm surge risk area.
• Inform family and friends of your plans.
• If not ordered to evacuate, shelter in a small interior room on the lowest level, away from windows and glass.

🏠 Home Preparation

• Cover all windows:
  • Best: Permanent storm shutters
  • Alternative: 5/8″ exterior-grade or marine plywood
• Buy supplies before hurricane season to avoid shortages.

📡 Stay Informed

• Monitor:
  • Local National Weather Service & emergency management websites
  • NOAA Weather Radio, TV, or radio stations
• Follow all instructions from local officials.
• Visit: www.floridadisaster.org
• Text FLPREPARES to 888777 for alerts.
• Call the Florida Emergency Info Line: 1-800-342-3557
• Follow @FLSERT on Twitter/Facebook for live updates.

🛣️ Travel & Fuel

• Check traffic: FL511.com or call 511
• Find fuel: GasBuddy.com

🧾 Re-Entry & Business Support

• Governor’s Executive Order lifts weight/driver restrictions for emergency supply transport.
• Businesses providing essential goods/services must carry proper documentation for re-entry.
• Register your business with FLVBEOC:

• Report open/closed status
• Complete damage assessments
• Request/offer resources
• Email: esf18@em.myflorida.com Hotline: 850-410-1403

🏨 Lodging & Hospitality

• Waive cancellation fees and minimum stays for evacuees.
• Sign up for FEMA’s Emergency Lodging Assistance program.
• Pet-friendly lodging: BringFido.com, PetFriendlyTravel.com
  ⚖️ Price Gouging Awareness for HoteliersIn times of declared emergencies, such as hurricanes or other natural disasters, Florida’s price gouging statute (§501.160, Florida Statutes) strictly prohibits unconscionable price increases on essential goods and services, including lodging. As a hotelier, it is critical to remain vigilant and compliant:
  • Do not raise room rates excessively above the average price charged in the 30 days prior to the emergency declaration.
  • Maintain transparency in pricing and avoid hidden fees or minimum stay requirements that could be perceived as exploitative.
  • Be especially mindful when accommodating evacuees, first responders, or displaced families -compassion and compliance go hand in hand.

  Violations can result in significant civil penalties, reputational harm, and legal action by the Florida Attorney General’s Office. If in doubt, consult legal counsel or refer to the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226 or visit MyFloridaLegal.com.

  Hospitality is about service, especially in times of crisis. Let’s lead with integrity.

⚡ Power & Utilities

• Track outages: Statewide map available online

• FPL customers: www.FPL.com/outage or call 1-800-4-OUTAGE

🥫 Food & Water Safety

• Power outages and flooding may compromise food safety.
• Visit USDA or Florida’s Division of Hotels & Restaurants for emergency food safety guidelines.

📶 Connectivity

• Comcast has opened 137,000+ free Xfinity WiFi hotspots statewide, including for non-customers.

• Find hotspots: Xfinity WiFi Map💙 Final Note

Stay safe and support one another.

Repost of our earlier blog: https://www.gulatilaw.com/actions-to-take-when-a-hurricane-threatens-for-individuals-business-owners/