Vero Lake Estates Property Owners

weather.gov

Here is some useful information for the residents of VLE in the event of a Hurricane threat.

1^st – learn the terminology:

TROPICAL DEPRESSION is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 38 m.p.h. or less. Can cause flooding in low lying areas & beach damage.

TROPICAL STORM. Is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface winds in the range of 39 to 73 m.p.h. Can cause tree damage and flooding in some areas depending on the rainfall and beach erosion.

HURRICANE WATCH is a warning that hurricane conditions are possible and may threaten the area. It also means that you should take action to purchase supplies and secure your home/business. When a Hurricane Watch is given usually the forecasters will begin announcing an area or path and time period

HURRICANE WARNING means that winds of at least 74 m.p.h. and up to 200 m.p.h or more are to be expected in the area within a 24-hour time frame. There is the possibility of an evacuation. Be ready to move quickly if such an order is issued by the authorities.

For VLE Residents – if the threat of a hurricane is for a storm of CAT 4 or Cat 5, you must consider the age of your home and the structure as not much survives a CAT 5 – and a CAT 4 is long rough storm to encounter.

If you decide to evacuate or the county determines evacuation is necessary – prepare early – CR 510 and CR 512 are used as routes of evacuation for the barrier island in North Vero, Indian River Shores and for Sebastian residents – the VLE residents may not even be able to get out of the VLE subdivision due to traffic – this is something to consider when deciding whether to leave and when. If the prediction is for a CAT 4 or 5 – and you are thinking of leaving – do so as quickly as you can prepare. I-95 will get backed up quickly and you don’t want to ride out a storm in your car.

Time could be a lifesaver!

Some helpful numbers and information:

Government Access Channel

            Cable Channel 27

Emergency Management

Phone – 567-2129

Indian River County Emergency Mgmt

www.irces.com

NOAA Weather Radio

The weather radio broadcasts are provided 24 hours a day, by the National Weather Service office in Melbourne, Florida. Make sure the weather radio has seven (7) channels. The frequency used in our area is located on channel 2 or channel 7 on the weather radio.

Make sure the weather radio has a battery back-up in the event you lose power and that you have a spare battery.

Radio Stations that will advise in the event of a hurricane watch or warning –

WSCF – 91.9 FM

WQCS-FM (88.9)

WZZR-FM (92.7)

WGYL-FM/WTTB-AM (93.7FM/1490AM)

WAVW-FM/WBBE-FM/WAXE-AM (101.7FM/94.7FM/1370AM)

WQOL-FM (103.7)

Please Note:

If you would like to be added to the Indian River County Emergency Management list to receive disaster information via e-mail, please call (772) 567-2154.

Categories of Storms

Category One

Winds of 74 to 95 m.p.h. caution on low lying coastal roads, small watercraft can be torn from moorings, damage to shrubbery, trees and unanchored mobile homes/trailers.

Category Two

Winds of 96 to 110 m.p.h.  - Coastal roads and low lying escape routes inland cut off by rising water two (2) to four (4) hours before the arrival of the hurricane's center. Damage to windows, doors and roofing material of building; trees broken and torn out. Major damage to mobile homes/trailers.

Category Three

Winds of 111 to 130 m.p.h. Most escape routes cut off by rising water. Mobile homes/trailers destroyed; structural damage to buildings, especially those built prior to the new codes – shingles blown off, serious flooding on the coast.

Category Four

Winds of 131 to 155 m.p.h. Major damage to lower floors of buildings near shore because of flooding and battering by waves and debris. Collapse of roofs on many residences; extensive damage to windows, doors and roofing materials.

Category Five

Winds of more than 155 m.p.h Low lying escape routes cut off by rising water. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Collapse of roofs on many residential and industrial buildings.

Preparation for leaving & staying

Call a family member outside of the area and advise them what you are doing and what cell number may work when the storm is over.

Yard & House preparation:

Shutter or board protection for windows and doors

Pick up all yard decorations; hanging plants, potted plants

Turn freezer controls coldest –don’t open door (freezer will stay frozen longer)

Pack Supplies or have on hand - whether you are planning to evacuate or stay in your home there are items that will benefit you and you may need

INCLUDE:

Vehicle preparation – gas, water, oil, etc. also check spare tire

Water (1 gallon/person/day)

Non-perishable food items

Manually operated can opener

Battery-operated radio/TV (must have new digital battery powered TV)

Flashlight(s) & batteries

Two (2) week supply of medications

Important papers (driver’s license, insurance, etc)

CASH

If you have a generator you will need the above items and fuel for the generator.

If you go to a shelter you will need the 1^st 8 items and those below:

Blankets/sleeping bags

Personal hygiene items

First Aid Kit

Extra clothing

Lightweight folding chairs/cots

Personal items including books and quiet games/toys

Infant necessities

Shelters close to VLE

Do NOT report to a shelter until advised by Media the shelter(s) is/are open.

Fellsmere Elementary School

50 North Cypress Street

Fellsmere, Florida 32948

Sebastian Elementary School

400 County Road 512

Sebastian, Florida 32958

Sebastian River Middle School

9400 County Road 512

Sebastian, Florida 32958

Pelican Island Elementary School

1355 Schumann Drive

Sebastian, Florida 32958

The Special Needs Shelter is located at the Treasure Coast Elementary School located on CR 510 - just east of the Sebastian River High School.

The address is 8955 85 th Street, Sebastian, Florida, 32958.