Hurricane Preparedness
If you are viewing the Virtual Gallery from home, you will need your Orange County resident library card to access some of the resources.
These selected videos are all about information on hurricanes with tips and ideas to keep you safe this hurricane season!
Library Online Resources
Be Safe Online & Consumer Savvy Virtual Gallery »
Connect with consumer resources and Florida regulatory agencies to protect yourself from after-hurricane fraud.
Buyer Beware with Greg Dawson [video presentation] »
The Orlando Sentinel's own consumer advocate Greg Dawson shares stories about his work and tips on how to avoid getting scammed after a hurricane in this 17 minute video.
NewsBank »
Search for hurricane news and articles from 1985-present in the Orlando Sentinel and other Southeastern Newspapers. Remember, you must connect your search terms with the word "and". The database gives you the most recent articles first, but you can also sort by relevance to get older "how to" or historical articles.
World Book Online Info Finder »
Use the search term "hurricane" to find encyclopedia articles, maps, pictures, videos, and relevant websites, among other results.
Before the Storm
Emergency & Safety »
Know your local information with Orange County's Emergency & Safety Web page. Review local information on Disaster Preparedness, and register for Emergency Medical Services if you are disabled or have special needs.
FEMA Map Service Center »
Use the Federal Emergency Management Agency's map service center to see if your house or the new house you want to buy is in a flood prone area.
FloodSmart.gov »
Learn how this program helps people recover from floods by offering them affordable flood insurance.
FloridaDisaster.org »
Get tips and ideas on how to strengthen your home through a few upgrades. Educate yourself with Florida's Severe Weather Awareness Guide. This resource also includes information on evacuation routes and shelters.
Hurricane Checklist - Bay News 9 »
There are many hurricane checklists on the Internet. Search with the terms, "hurricane kit" or "hurricane checklist." Take the best ideas from each one to make your own hurricane checklist.
Power Companies
Look at your energy provider's disaster plan before the power goes out. The three main companies in Orange County are Florida Power and Light, Orlando Utilities Commission, and Duke Energy (formerly Progress Energy).
Ready »
Launched in 2003 by FEMA, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for disasters. Find information on creating a family disaster plan, a disaster supply kit, and educating your children among other topics. Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness is FEMA's most comprehensive source on disaster preparedness.
WESH 2 NEWS Orlando Hurricane Guide »
Stay informed about Hurricane conditions with the Interactive Hurricane Map. Check for any closings and weather alerts, and find out where the shelters are in the Central Florida area.
After the Storm
American Red Cross: Hurricanes »
Be aware that the Red Cross provides hurricane information and helps prepare communities for emergencies. You can apply for assistance or volunteer to help.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention »
Look into topics such as Hurricane Cleanup. This website lists hazards that you might need to prepare for like carbon monoxide safety, electrical hazards, and food and water safety. This website can be read in several languages.
Disaster Preparedness »
Take a look at the Disaster Preparedness page, provided by the Department of Financial Services - Division of Consumer Services, that covers the aftermath of a hurricane. There is important information that every property owner should know.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) »
FEMA is tasked with disaster mitigation, preparedness, response,and recovery planning.
Florida Building Code »
Stay up to code when you rebuild. A commonly requested part of the code at the Library after a storm is chapter 15, roofing. You can get this information online. There are older versions of the code at this website also.
Mobile
Hurricane by American Red Cross
This free application provides step-by-step instructions on what to do before, during, and after the story, even if you do not have Internet access. Monitor and receive alerts for hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods in your area. Additional tools include "I'm safe" alerts to loved ones, shelter information, and a hurricane tool kit.
iTunes | Google Play | Website
OCFL Alert
Receive disaster information straight from Orange County Florida Government, including severe weather updates, road closures, and AMBER Alerts. During hurricane season, this application includes information on shelters, water distribution points, and emergency numbers.
iTunes | Google Play | Website
Weather Channel Mobile »
Get all kinds of weather applications for all sorts of mobile devices including regular cell phones.
Library Materials
Audiobooks »
Download a OneClickdigital or OverDrive audiobook that features hurricanes as a topic or plot-device.
Hurricane Fiction »
Hurricanes are better when they are fictional. See if these authors know as much about them as you do.
Hurricane Katrina Nonfiction »
Learn about the events that transpired during the impact of Hurricane Katrina from these first-hand accounts and discussions.
Hurricane Nonfiction »
These books and videos cover hurricane history, science, and preparedness.
Kids & Teens
Library Online Resources
Science Online »
Find out about hurricane season and learn something new about Florida's hurricane history.
Kids InfoBits K-5 »
Check out this database for beginning reasearchers covering a variety of topics. Try searching "Hurricane Forecasting" or "Hurricane Katrina" to help kids prepare for hurricane season.
Library Materials
Hurricane Reads »
Get swept away with these exciting fiction and non-fiction titles. Check out Jan Day's Kissimmee Pete and the Hurricane for a tall tale about a hurricane right here in Florida or learn about the effects hurricanes can have in Hurricanes by Seymour Simon.
Rainy Day
Beat the rainy day boredom with these books, DVDs, and activities including:
- Sid the Science Kid: Weather Kid Sid
- The Rain or Shine Activity Book: Fun Things to Make and Do by Joanna Cole and Stephanie Calmenson
- Rainy Day Fun by Gillian Souter
Websites
FEMA for KIDS: Hurricanes »
Be ready for anything! The Federal Emergency Management Agency website has tons of information for kids about hurricanes. Take a look at the Fun and Games section to try your hand at an interactive word search or to print your very own activity book.
Scholastic.com | Weather Watch »
Check out this severe weather resource brought to you by Scholastic. Learn about hurricane basics and find out what you can do to be prepared. Don't forget to test your knowledge by taking the quiz challenge!
The Weather Channel Kids! »
Take a look at at the Weather Encyclopedia for information about hurricanes and tropical systems. See the what conditions can lead to a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Then brush up on your hurricane knowledge by reading about historical hurricanes.
During the Storm
News Coverage
Different television stations have different coverage. Find the ones that fit your needs.
Orlando Sentinel Hurricane Survival Guide »
Get local information from the Orlando Sentinel. Get updates during the storm and look over preparedness tips you might not have thought about.
More news coverage
- Central Florida News 13
- Florida Hurricane News, Orlando Hurricane Season Information - WESH Orlando's Channel 2
- Fox 35
- Hurricanes In Orlando Florida (Local 6)
NOAA National Hurricane Center »
The National Hurricane Center is your source for the watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather. The NHC is part of the National Weather Service and provides valuable information about all oceanic and weather disasters.
Social
Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog »
Dr. Masters is the Director of Meteorology of the website Weather Underground, one of the most popular weather websites.
The Weather Channel Blog »
Go deeper into weather analysis with this authoritative but easy to understand discussion of important weather events.
WFTV Orlando Weather Blog »
Learn what's going on with your local Central Florida weather. WFTV's Channel 9's weather team provides this blog to keep you informed.
