While it might seem like something out of a horror movie, Hurricane Dorian’s terrifying stint over the Bahamas was very real, and although it narrowly avoided making catastrophic impact in Florida it did teach us a few important lessons.
Lesson 1: Hurricane Prep is essential
Now that the hurricane is moving up the east coast we have time to reflect and look back on the past few days. We are very fortunate for the near-miss, and even more fortunate that we only dealt with tropical storm conditions instead of more extreme conditions closer to that of a category 5 storm. Thankfully, the Island View Cottages survived the rain and wind we did receive on the Treasure Coast.
When we set out to improve upon the living conditions of the Island View Community we knew that hurricanes would and could pose very real threats to our guests. You’ll be pleased to know that our hard work payed off. The roofs had no leaks (and were touched up and redesigned for this very reason), the coastline had zero flooding, our shutters protected from wind damage and our property stayed relatively clean with the exception of a few downed branches. All in all, the renovations payed off, and we are even more confident that moving forward we will continue to be able to ensure the safety of our Innkeepers and guests in the event of an emergency!
Lesson 2: Know your emergency contacts
It’s important to know who to call in the event of an emergency. Below is a list of important numbers to call, write down, print out, or memorize in the event of a catastrophic storm in the future.
Important Numbers to call:
- Shelter information: 211
- State information: 411
- Traffic information and road closures: 511
- National Weather Service Melbourne forecast: (321) 255-2900
FPL
- Customer service: 1-800-226-3545
- Power outage tracker map: http://www.fplmaps.com/
Florida City Gas
- Vero Beach office: (772) 563-2799
- Leaks or emergencies: (888) 352-5325
Sheriffs’ offices
- Indian River County: (772) 569-6700
- Martin County: (772) 220-7000
- St. Lucie County: (772) 462-7300
Police departments
- Sebastian: (772) 589-5233
- Indian River Shores: (772) 231-2451
- Vero Beach: (772) 978-4600
- Fort Pierce: (772) 467-6800
- Port St. Lucie: (772) 871-5000
- Sewalls Point: (772) 781-3378
- Stuart: (772) 287-1122
Fire departments
- Indian River County Fire Rescue: (772) 562-2028
- Martin County Fire Department: (772) 546-6326
- Martin County Fire Rescue: (772) 288-5710
- St. Lucie County Fire District: (772) 288-5710
Hospitals with 24-hour emergency rooms
- Lawnwood Medical Center: (772) 468-4551
- Martin Emergency Center at St. Lucie West: (772) 785-5585
- The Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital: (772) 345-8100
- Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital: (772) 287-5200
- Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital: (772) 223-2300
- St. Lucie Medical Center: (772) 335-4000
- St. Lucie Medical Center at Darwin Square: (772) 807-4840
Lesson 3: Pride is foolish, Evacuate while you can.
While many people may look at this storm and think, “We wasted all this time worrying for nothing” or “We evacuated and nothing happened!”, It’s a mistake to assume that all storms will end up like this. It’s a mistake to assume that the next storm that forms will also miss Florida, and thus, we don’t have to take it seriously. Remember the Bahamas? The devastation there could easily have been Florida if things went differently.
Take these warnings seriously, and when the next storm hits (whether it be one month, one year, or five years from now) make sure you’re still just as vigilante and prepared as you were for this near miss. The next time we might not be as lucky.
Lesson 4: Make sure you give back and help when you can!
When you can, and you’ve cleaned up your own property and taken care of your family, remember that the Bahamas need our help. Below are links to donate, and we here at the Island View Cottages would love it if our guests and patrons found even the smallest ways to help those in need.
