Be Prepared! - City of Melbourne, Florida

The Melbourne
Messenger
Community Information from the City of Melbourne - Special Online Issue
Time now for planning
Hurricane season officially returns on June 1
As the hurricane season officially
opens on June 1, the City of Melbourne
encourages residents to make preparations.
In recent years we have been affected
by several hurricane. While damages
were limited and we avoided injuries,
the tropical storms provided reminders
of the importance of emergency
preparations.
This special issue of the “Melbourne
Messenger” is provided to assist in your
personal or business preparations. The
advice here comes from local, state, and
federal sources, as well as the Red
Cross.
In making your own plans, we believe
that it is especially important to
consider these areas:
n Stockpiling of supplies that could
be used in an emergency situation.
n Drawing-up an evacuation plan,
regardless of where you live, to be used
in the event that a life-threatening situation
dictates that you leave your home
or business.
n Planning of recovery steps that
you could follow in the event of major
storm damage to the community.
To arrange for a presentation to
your group on hurricane preparedness,
contact Melbourne’s Fire
Prevention Division by calling 953-
6258.
Free copies of the Red Cross
publication, “Your Family Disaster
Supplies Kit,” are available in the
City Hall front lobby.
In the event of a damaging hurricane,
City emergency crews will respond
immediately. Calls will go out
through Brevard County for aid from
other local governments as well as to
state and federal emergency agencies.
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Hurricane
Preparedness
Publication
Still, it is important for residents to
recognize that in a major community
emergency, help may not arrive in the
first hours. Basic services may not be
restored for days.
In this kind of situation, there will
be no substitute for personal and family
emergency planning.
Henry J. Hill
City Manager
Inside - Guide to Preparations:
BEFORE the Storm Page 2
DURING the Storm Page 3
RECOVERING Page 4
Emergency planning help is available
Brevard County provides hurricane
preparedness guidelines in
the BellSouth telephone book,
pages 54-56.
Brevard County registers individuals
who will need special help
during evacuations because of
medical conditions or disabilities.
Call 637-6670.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
INCLUDING EVACUATION
ROUTES IS AVAILABLE IN
BELLSOUTH TELEPHONE DI-
RECTORIES, ON PAGES 54-56.
The information is provided by
Brevard County’s Office of Emergency
Management. That office also
maintains a web site at www.
embrevard.com. Brevard County is
the lead agency in hurricane responses
and is responsible for ordering
evacuations when required.
SUMMARY GUIDELINES for HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
Before the Storm
● Have an emergency plan and
supplies on hand.
● Have an evacuation route
and destination planned.
● Follow evacuation orders.
● Prepare to be self-sufficient for
at least 72 hours.
● Register with Brevard County
Emergency Management information
about any individuals
with special medical or evacuation
needs (637-6670).
During the Storm
● Stay indoors, even if winds subside,
since the eye may be passing over
and winds could resume.
● Do not evacuate during the storm.
Take refuge in a small interior room.
● Get weather updates from a batterypowered
radio.
● If the electricity goes off, unplug or
switch off major appliances to avoid
a surge when power is restored.
● Direct medical, police, and
fire emergency calls to 911
After the Storm
Stay off streets during clean-up,
listen to radio & TV for advisories.
Contact City emergency information
phones at 727-2900, or at 259-1211
if City Hall is not open. Also:
Drinking Water 727-2900 (City)
Flooding 727-2900 (City)
Streets & Debris 727-2900 (City)
Electric Service 723-7795 (FPL)
Harris Sanitation 723-4455
Red Cross 723-7141

Planning before storm is essential, experts say
Emergency management experts
agree that when a hurricane threatens
Melbourne, it will be time for action, not
for planning.
Those responsible for preparing
for hurricanes and for responding to
the damage they can inflict on the
community, urge all residents to
make emergency plans now.
Experts say that numerous factors
should be considered in planning emergency
responses. It is especially important
that area residents consider the
location of their homes, the type of
structures, and personal or family circumstances.
HURRICANE SEASON FACTS
Hurricane scientists set June 1
through Nov. 30 as hurricane season.
Tropical storms which appear this year
will be assigned these names:
Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly,
Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Isidore,
Josephine, Kyle, Lili, Marco, Nana,
Omar, Paloma, Rene, Sally, Teddy,
Vicky, and Wilfred.
The storm surge is an abnormal rise
in sea level caused by a hurricane. The
storm tide is the combined effect of
the storm surge and astronomic tide.
Four options are recommended
for consideration:
1. Stay Home? Be sure your home
can withstand a hurricane and is on high
ground away from the coast. Evacuate
a manufactured home or a mobile home.
2. Stay With Friends or Relatives?
Make arrangements in advance,
being sure the structure where you will
go is safe and adequately supplied.
Have an alternate plan for use if friends
or relatives are away.
3. Relocate Out of the Area?
Know official evacuation routes, know
where you are going, and have current
road maps available. Leave early to
avoid traffic, possible flooding, and high
winds.
4. Go To A Public Shelter? Radio
and television broadcasts will announce
the opening of shelters by the
Red Cross by Melbourne residents.
Prepare a list ahead of time for essential
and comfort items to take with you to a
shelter, including medicines, valuable
papers, and a three-day supply of food
and water for every person evacuated.
Activities or reading material are also
advisable.
Most Melbourne residents who
want to use public shelters are asked
by Brevard County to report to “primary
evacuation shelters” in the
city.
Brevard County is responsible for
ordering evacuations. A hurricane
evacuation typically is aimed at removing
residents from the most dangerous
areas: the barrier island, mobile homes,
and low-lying areas.
Public shelters are provided for residents
who are unable to find shelter
elsewhere. When a primary shelter is
full, newcomers will be directed to another
facility that has been opened by
the Red Cross to handle the overflow.
If the area is threatened by a hurricane
of “Category 3” intensity or greater,
Brevard County Emergency Management
plans to recommend an evacuation
of the county.
Steve Benn, who coordinates the
shelter program for Brevard County
Emergency Management, said that
in the higher intensity storms those
evacuating from the barrier islands
will be encouraged to leave the
county altogether for shelter.
However, Benn said that the Red
Cross shelters in Melbourne and elsewhere
will still be opened.
Planning for a place where pets can
weather a hurricane should take into account
that animals are not allowed at public
shelters. Guide dogs are exceptions to
that rule.
Emergency officials encourage pet
owners to take their pets with them if they
are evacuating the area.
It is strongly recommended that you
make prior arrangements to shelter pets
with a commercial kennel, family, or friends
outside of the evacuation area.
If pets must be left at homes, emergency
officials recommend they be inside
MONEY or TRAVELERS CHECKS?
Melbourne Police recommend that
residents consider having an adequate
supply of travelers checks on
hand during the hurricane season to
cover emergency situations.
While travelers checks may provide
less convenience than cash,
police note that carrying large
amounts of cash can be unsafe.
Getting any kind of currency in the
days immediately following a hurricane
impact can be difficult or impossible.
Storm damage can prevent banks
from opening. Power outages can
disable automated teller machines.
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Hurricane
Preparedness
Publication
Flood insurance recommended
Federal flood insurance provides coverage
to protect homes and belongings
from damage caused by rising water.
Local insurance agents can provide
information about policies for
homeowners and businesses through the
National Flood Insurance Program.
Federal officials note that homeowner
policies do not include flood coverage.
They also note that, “you do not have
to live near the water to become a flood
victim.”
PETS ALSO NEED STORM PLANS AND CANNOT ENTER PUBLIC SHELTERS
in “safe” areas where they can escape rising
water, with dogs and cats separated.
Brevard County Animal Shelters will be
open, unless ordered evacuated, and will
receive pets on an emergency basis. It is
very important that pets be accompanied
by current rabies certificates, medications,
and food. For more information
call 259-3400.
If all shelters are full, the Melbourne
Greyhound Park at 1100 N. Wickham Road
has volunteered its facility as a temporary
pet shelter to serve people from evacuation
areas only.

Evacuation procedures are updated
Brevard County has established the following evacuation
procedure for Melbourne residents and others who must find
shelter away from home during a hurricane.
By state law, Brevard County issues evacuation orders and
also issues orders allowing residents to return to their homes
when the emergency has passed. City law enforcement and fire
department personnel assist in the evacuations.
Designated as evacuation routes are major east-west highways,
along with the causeways, Highway A1A, and U.S. 1.
The map at right indicates evacuation routes in blue.
Persons who wish to evacuate to public shelters are
asked to use the following plan:
■ All mainland Melbourne residents who live north of
Aurora Road are asked to evacuate to I-95 or seek public shelter
at the Brevard Community College (BCC) campus at 3865 N.
Wickham Road.
■ Mainland residents who live between Aurora Road and
U.S. Highway 192 are to evacuate westward or seek public
shelter at the Eau Gallie High School auditorium, 1400 Commodore
Blvd. Melbourne residents on the barrier island may also
report to Eau Gallie High School for shelter.
■ Those living south of U.S. Highway 192 are to evacuate
westward or report to Riviera Elementary School, 351 Riviera
Drive NE, in Palm Bay.
Brevard County emergency officials ask that residents use
the public shelters only as a last resort, when it is not possible
to evacuate to a home or motel out of the area.
Those using the public shelters are asked to bring food,
water, bedding, and medicines.
Complete evacuation guidelines from Brevard County are
included in the Southern Bell telephone directory, pages 54-56.
(RIVIERA ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL IN PALM BAY)
EVACUATIONS are ordered
long before a hurricane arrives,
since flooding can
block roadways well in advance
of a storm’s arrival.
First evacuations are typically
from the barrier island,
mobile homes, and
flood prone areas.
STORM ASSISTANCE
Major highways serve as evacuation routes. Locations
where residents will report for assignments to
public shelters are indicated as squares.
Also, the locations of aid stations that will be activated
to help victims after a major hurricane impact are shown
as circles.
Melbourne goes on alert in response to hurricane threats, provides information and aid
As a hurricane approaches, the City of
Melbourne takes steps to weather the storm and
to assist the community with recovery.
During the hurricane season, departments
are given daily updates on any tropical storms
STORM CATEGORIES
Tropical Depression - winds of 39 mph
Tropical Storm - winds to 73 mph
Category 1 Hurricane - winds to 95 mph, storm
surge to 5 ft, wind and water damage.
Category 2 Hurricane - winds to 110 mph,
storm surge to 8 ft, structure damage, flooding.
Category 3 Hurricane - winds to 130 mph,
storm surge to 12 ft, large trees down, flooding.
Category 4 Hurricane - winds to 155, storm
surge to 18 ft, heavy damage, flooding.
Category 5 Hurricane - winds above 155 mph,
storm surge 18 ft, buildings destroyed, flooding.
in the Atlantic. City works go on alert when a
hurricane threatens Melbourne.
As a storm approaches, an emergency
telephone information center will be activated
at City Hall. To get updated information
on storm preparations, residents can call
727-2900 or additional telephone numbers announced
through news outlets.
The City will also assist with any evacuations
ordered by Brevard County. At the direction of
the County, the Red Cross will open local shelters.
City Activates Emergency Center
Before a storm impacts Melbourne, the City
will activate an Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) at a Melbourne Police Department facility
on Babcock Street.
It is from the EOC that emergency operations
will be directed during and following the
storm. Immediately after a storm, police and
fire department personnel will begin assisting
residents. Everyone is encouraged to avoid
travel as City workers begin clearing streets.
If the situation warrants it, a half-dozen
Emergency Aid Stations will be activated to provide
direct assistance to residents. The effort
should put first aid, shelter, and food within
walking distance of Melbourne homes.
However, emergency officials say anyone
who is safe in their home should stay
inside immediately after the storm.
Rescue workers will go into damaged neighborhoods
to search for people who need assistance.
Individuals who need to notify emergency
crews about medical emergencies after the
storm passes may have to flag down rescue
teams if telephone contact is not possible.

Recovery activities aided by community’s cooperation
The cooperation of everyone in the
community will be required during recovery
from the impact of a major hurricane,
emergency officials say.
When Hurricane Erin’s record-setting
rains left standing water in some residential
areas, many homes remained dry until
motorists drove through standing water
at fast speeds. The resulting wakes
pushed water into the homes.
“There is a real need for cooperation
by everyone during emergency periods,”
notes City Manager Henry J. Hill.
Evacuations & Returns
Hill said that Brevard County must put
citizen safety first in calling for both
evacuations or allowing a return to evacuated
areas.
He noted that following Hurricane Erin
some residents were unhappy with delays
in reopening of the causeways.
“Brevard County has a responsibility
to determine that the beach areas or other
evacuation areas are safe before reopening
them,” Hill said.
“While we encourage the County to
reopen the causeways just as quickly as
possible, we understand the need for the
delay,” said Hill. “We ask that the residents
be as patient as possible.”
Repair Cautions
One post-hurricane problem that has
been experienced in other areas is the
appearance of phony contractors who will
accept money for repairs and then vanish,
said Fire Chief Walt Chamberlin.
The MELBOURNE MESSENGER
A publication of the
City of Melbourne
900 E. Strawbridge Ave.
Melbourne, FL 32901
If a hurricane causes extensive damage,
Chief Chamberlin said the City will
Special
Hurricane
Preparedness
Publication
require that contractors register with the
City. Each will be issued a badge indicating
that they are registered.
In dealing with any storm repairs,
Chamberlin recommends that home or
business owners get information including
a contractor’s business license number
and a driver’s license number.
Water Supply
Immediately after a hurricane, residents
should be wary of drinking water
contamination until told that the supply
is safe, said Bob Klaproth, Water and
Wastewater Administrator for the City.
Caution dictates that residents boil or
otherwise treat drinking water until assured
that is is safe for consumption,
Klaproth said.
An announcement that the water supply
is safe will be issued as soon as is
practical following a hurricane, he noted.
Internet users can find links
to weather sites at http://
www.melbourneflorida.org
Mayor - John A. Buckley. Vice Mayor - Loretta Hand. Council Members:
Richard Contreras, Ed Palmer, Pat Poole, Grace Walker, and Cheryl Palmer.
Henry J. Hill, City Manager. Michael Moore, Editor. (321) 953-6282.
Internet Pages: http://www.melbourneflorida.org
E-Mail: cityhall@melbourneflorida.org
Be Prepared!
Brevard County’s Office of Emergency
Management provides extensive information
on how to prepare for the hurricane
season, on evacuations, and on how to
survive tropical storms, at its Internet web
pages (at www.embrevard.com). Below are
recommended steps to take in preparation for
hurricane threats.
● Keep home in good repair. Tack down
loose roofing and siding. Trim dead or
broken branches from trees.
The experts agree that homes can
survive a hurricane's fury if a few relatively
minor improvements, such as bracing the
gable ends of roofs, are made. Contact
your builder, a professional engineer,
licensed contractor, or architect to inspect
your home for structural integrity.
● Make plans and purchase materials
to secure your home before the storm
threatens (plywood, shutters, and/or
protective window film; plastic sheeting,
nails, etc.).
● Purchase a battery-powered weather
alert radio.
● Inventory your property (a video tape
is excellent) and store the information with
insurance papers in a safe place (such as
safety deposit box) or send a copy to a
relative out of the area.
● Make sure your address (number) is
clearly marked on your home.
● Review your insurance policies
with your agent now. Do you have
homeowner's and flood insurance?
Homeowner's insurance does not cover
damage to your home or belongings caused
by flooding. Flood insurance is available
through an insurance agent or broker. If your
home is substantially damaged (50% or
greater), you will be required to rebuild to
existing codes, which may mean elevating
the structure. Will you be covered?
● Homeowners and tenants - are your
contents and personal belongings covered?
Will your insurance cover replacement
costs?