FLORIDA- Helene is growing stronger as it travels past Mexico and towards the Gulf Coast of Florida. Preparing for the storm is not only important but essential. Today, Governor DeSantis addressed Floridians, warning them of the potential effects of Hurricane Helene and issuing an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 61 counties.
Residents in the following areas are urged to prepare:
Hurricane Watch: Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Coastal Collier, DeSoto, Gulf, Hardee, inland Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, inland Manatee, eastern Marion Mainland Monroe and Middle Keys (Monroe County), Orange, Osceola, Polk inland Sarasota, Seminole, and Sumter counties
Tropical Storm Warning: Lower Florida Keys & Dry Tortugas (Monroe County)
Tropical Storm Watch: Citrus, eastern Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon, Levy, Coastal Manatee, western Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Coastal Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties
The Executive Order enables state officials to secure resources for their community, including the establishment of shelters and the distribution of sandbags. For updates on the resources that are available visit County Emergency Management | Florida Disaster
When a storm comes, Florida residents need to take proactive measures at home. Fortunately, Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) has compiled a checklist to assist you in your legal preparations.
Key documents you should protect before a storm:
Identification Documents: Driver's license or identification card, Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, certificate of naturalization, green card, and employment authorization card.
Medical Documents: Declaration of healthcare surrogate, living will, health insurance card, list of medications, and list of allergies.
Financial Documents: Checkbook, bank and credit cards, tax returns, bank statements for each account, and recent paychecks.
Automobiles and Watercraft Documents: Title and registration insurance policy
Real Property Documents: Property deed, manufactured home title and registration, mortgage agreement or note, lease or rental agreement, prospectus for mobile home park residents, homeowners’ association rules for HOA residents, housing assistance payment contracts for Section 8 recipients, homeowner policy, and flood policy
Legal Documents: Last will, power of attorney, marriage license, adoption papers, orders of protection against domestic violence, final judgment of dissolution of marriage, marital separation agreement, and child custody or visitation agreements.
Other Documents: Emergency contact information, animal vaccination records, and household inventory
Protecting your documents in a waterproof case or backing up your files onto a hard drive are two methods to ensure the safekeeping of your documents. If you have lost or damaged documents at the hands of Helene, contact FRLS to see if you qualify for free legal services.