Parks, campgrounds reopening; new storms updates

As of Friday morning, 29 Florida state parks remain closed in the wake of Hurricane Helene. More information lower in this story.

Today’s Tropical Outlook

A broad area of rain and thunderstorms is still stumbling around in the Gulf of Mexico in the same area that gave birth to Hurricane Helene.

Development into a tropical system is possible.

Regardless of further development, the storms are expected to bring locally heavy rainfall to Florida this weekend.

Two storms in the Atlantic, Kirk and Leslie, pose no threat to Florida.

From the National Hurricane Center (10/4/2024: Disorganized showers and thunderstorms located over the western Gulf
of Mexico are associated with a trough of low pressure. A broad area
of low pressure is expected to form over the southwestern or
south-central Gulf of Mexico this weekend, and thereafter some
gradual development is possible while the low moves slowly eastward
or northeastward.

A tropical or subtropical depression or storm
could form during the early to middle part of next week if the low
remains separate from a frontal boundary that is forecast to extend
across the Gulf of Mexico next week.

Regardless of tropical or
subtropical development, locally heavy rains could occur over
portions of Mexico during the next few days and over portions of the
Florida Peninsula late this weekend into next week.

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (10/3/2024): Odds drop for potential tropical system in Gulf, but Florida still likely to get drenched

For more information, visit Hurricanes.gov

Social Media worth following

• National Hurricane Center on Facebook | Twitter
• Bryan Norcross Tropics Updates on Facebook | Twitter

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Also read: Gulf Coast damage report and visitor information

Post-Helene drone footage from Cedar Key. Historic Cedar Key was hard hit by a 10-foot storm surge that rolled across the island.

Report on Sanibel Island post-Helene

Drone video of damage in the Big Bend

Florida State Parks closures

As of Friday morning, 29 Florida state parks remained closed for both day use and overnight camping in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Follow the links for updates at individual parks. (Source: Florida State Parks)

1. Big Shoals State Park (Hamilton, Columbia counties).
2. Caladesi Island State Park (Pinellas County).
3. Cedar Key Museum State Park (Levy County).
4. Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve (Levy County).
5. Crystal River Archaeological State Park (Citrus County).
6. Crystal River Preserve State Park (Citrus County).
7. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park (Collier County).
8. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park (Citrus County).
9. Forest Capital Museum State Park (Taylor County).
10. Honeymoon Island State Park (Pinellas County).
11. Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia, Suwannee counties).
12. Ichetucknee Trace (Columbia County).
13. Lafayette Blue Springs State Park (Lafayette County).
14. Lovers Key State Park (Lee County).
15. Madison Blue Spring State Park (Madison County).
16. Manatee Springs State Park (Levy County).
17. Nature Coast State Trail (Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy counties).
18. Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park (Baker County).
19. River Rise Preserve State Park (Alachua, Columbia counties).
20. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park (Alachua County).
21. San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park (Wakulla County).
22. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park (Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee counties).
23. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park (Hamilton, Columbia counties).
24. Stump Pass Beach State Park (Charlotte County).
25. Suwannee River State Park (Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee counties).
26. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail (Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Suwannee counties) including the following River Camps: Adams Tract River Camp (Lafayette County), Peacock Slough River Camp (Lafayette County) and Woods Ferry River Camp (Suwannee County).
27. Troy Spring State Park (Lafayette County).
28. Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park (Levy County).
29. Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park (Suwannee County).

As of Friday morning, these state parks with campgrounds have reopened for day use, but the campgrounds remain closed. Follow the links for updates at individual parks. (Source: Florida State Parks)

1. Collier-Seminole State Park (Collier County).
2. Florida Caverns State Park (Jackson County).
3. Rainbow Springs State Park (Marion County).

For the most recent status of Florida State Parks, go to Florida State Parks Storm Updates.

State forest and federal campgrounds

The following links will take to you to updates for public campgrounds and outdoor recreation in state forests, national parks and Florida’s five water management districts.

• Florida State Forests Alerts and Notices
• Florida’s National Forests Alerts and Notices
• Everglades National Park Alerts and Notices
• Big Cypress National Preserve
• Canaveral National Seashore
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Gulf Island National Seashore

• South Florida Water Management District
• Southwest Florida Water Management District
• St Johns River Water Management District
• Northwest Florida Water Management District
• Suwannee River Water Management District

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2024 Hurricane Names

Preparation: The next storm

Keep your vehicle’s gas tanks reasonable full at all times during hurricane season so you can avoid the inevitable lines at gas stations when a storm approaches.

Maintain your yard and remove dead trees and yard debris from your property. There is no worse feeling than “I should have done it sooner” as a storm approaches.

If your home faces the threat of flooding, buy bags of top soil to be used around ground-level door openings. You can spread them on your lawn after hurricane season is over to enrich the soil for the dry winter months ahead.

Have a plan.

Preparation: Test your generator

Your generator has probably been sitting in your garage since the last time you used it. There are compelling reasons to test it now. If your generator doesn’t start or runs rough, you may still have time to get it to your small-engine shop for maintenance.

A few generator tips:

• Dump the old gas, if you haven’t done so already. Best practice is to empty the tank at the end of hurricane season.
• Use ethanol-free gasoline. Gasoline in your car contains ethanol, but ethanol is not good for your generator’s engine.
• Check the oil, drain and replace. There should be a dip stick.
• Run the generator 5 minutes once a month during hurricane season. Ideally, you should be running it once a month all year, but few do. (I’m guilty, too.)

Caution: Test the generator outdoors. Carbon dioxide emissions can kill you if the fumes are trapped in the house or garage.

Stay connected

Your ability to communicate with others can be severely compromised after a hurricane. Most of us have already dumped our self-powered landline phones in favor of cellular. But cell towers may be knocked out in hurricanes.

You also may lose internet service, especially if it’s provided by above-ground cable, and it’s likely you’ll lose the electricity that powers computers and Wi-Fi routers in your home.

Many newer models of cell phones have access to satellite service in emergencies. Consider that option the next time you upgrade your phone.

Keep your cell phones fully charged at all times, and it’s a really good idea to have a battery pack designed to recharge your phone.

For those so inclined, especially if you live in a remote area, a ham radio is a great way to communicate when all else fails.

Hurricane Shelf Checklist

Every Florida resident should have a hurricane shelf for recurring storm needs:

• Flashlights and battery-powered lanterns
• Fresh batteries of all sizes (Replace at least every two years)
• Weather radio with AM/FM, battery-operated or hand crank. (See recommendations below)
• First aid kit.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Tool kit includes a hatchet or axe, duct tape, hammer, nails, saw, can opener, pocket knife and a multi-tool.
• Blue tarps! Cord, rope for tie downs.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Sterno kit, restock.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• If you still have a landline, add a corded phone to your kit.

Hurricane Supplies Checklist

Food and water should be replaced annually. Use supplies after hurricane season and replace over the winter. Gasoline should also be fresh. When hurricane season is over, dump gas containers in your car; refill containers next year.

• Water: Bottled drinking water stays fresh for a year, so refresh your supply at the beginning of each season and use it up in the off-season. Save plastic by using pots and pans to store water as a storm approaches.
• Water containers: For storing tap water to bathe and flush toilets. These can be filled at the last minute, but you should already have the containers in-house.
• Gasoline: Keep your car’s tank near full all season. Buy gas containers now and, at the first hint of a hurricane, fill them up. Gas station lines are formidable the closer you get to a storm’s arrival and afterwards. After the storm threat passes, pour stored gas into your car’s gas tank.
• Food: A pantry full of non-perishable foods, canned and packaged, is standard procedure in Florida. Stock up.
• Paper goods: Stock up on TP, paper towels, paper plates this month. There won’t be any left on store shelves if you wait for the threat of a storm.
• Plastic goods: Plastic garbage bags and plastic eating utensils, plastic storage bags and heavy-duty trash bags for yard debris.
• Prescription drugs: Stay at least a month ahead on prescriptions.
• Disinfectant: You may still have COVID supplies of disinfectants and hand sanitizers on hand. If not, replenish your supply.

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Florida Emergency Management Checklist

2022-disaster-supply-kit-checklist-final-1

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Hurricane Evacuation Checklist

Everybody has a different tolerance level and different needs. But whatever your threshold, you should have an evacuation plan before you need it.

• Know the locations of local shelters. A revised list of shelters is issued each year by June 1, the beginning of hurricane season. Many communities have shelters for people with special needs and shelters that allow pets. Go to the appropriate shelter.
• Have a go-bag and sleeping bag ready for each person, just in case. Don’t expect to get a cot, so a sleeping pad is a good idea if you have them.
• If you are leaving town, consider in advance where you will go, how to get there, and what you’ll need. If you have camping gear, have it ready to pack in your escape vehicle.
• Fill vehicle gas tanks before you even need to evacuate, and keep in mind roads will be crowded. Out-of-town hotels may already booked by smart planners.
• Wherever you are going, before you leave your house, unplug appliances and shut off electricity, shut off gas lines and your main water supply.
• If you are worried about flooding and have time, place sandbags and towels around vulnerable doorways and raise furniture and valuables off the floor. Bags of topsoil make excellent sandbags and can be spread on your lawn or garden later.
• Don’t leave home without putting up your shutters.
• Lock the house up when you leave.

Hurricane Shelter Checklist

You may not think you’ll need to go to a shelter, but if you suddenly find “the big one” heading your way, have a go-bag ready for each person in your household.

Shelters don’t have much to offer, and most won’t allow pets, so identify shelters in your area that accept pets if you have them.

Every county in Florida should release a shelter plan on June 1 each year at the beginning of hurricane season. Shelter locations may have changed over the past year.

Your go-bag should contain:

• Clothing for 2-3 days
• Personal hygiene items, toothbrush, toothpaste
• Sleeping bag, air mattress, pillow
• Books and games
• Medications
• Identification (driver’s license)
• Cash
• Snacks
• Flashlight

Riding out the storm at home

• Designate a “safe room” with strong walls and least exposed to outside elements (no windows, for example.)
• Fill the bathtub(s) with water that can be used for flushing toilets.
• Fill pots, pans and other kitchen containers with water for drinking and washing.
• Unplug appliances you don’t need but leave the circuit breaker on until the house loses power. When you lose power, turn off the breaker. Turn it back on when power is restored.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Fill plastic storage bags 3/4 full with water and place in the freezer to fill in spaces. (Water expands while freezing, and you don’t want the bags to pop open.)
• Have a cooler on standby for items you use frequently to avoid opening and closing the fridge.

What not to do…

• Do not use candles or open flames inside your home. Fire-Rescue is way too busy to respond to your fire.
• Do not use generators indoors. Engine exhaust kills.

Camper evacuation tips

• Pack up and get ready to move on a moment’s notice.
• Florida State Parks and other campgrounds within the forecast cone will close as soon as a storm warning is issued, and you will have to evacuate.
• Inland states such as Georgia and Alabama historically have opened campgrounds in state parks, fairgrounds and race tracks for evacuees to camp. Stay well outside the 7-day forecast cone. Here are links to Georgia State Parks. Atlanta Motor Speedway. Alabama State Parks. Mississippi State Parks
• Make sure you have enough gas to get to a place of refuge, even if you don’t expect the storm to come your way. Hurricanes have been known to turn on a dime.
• Don’t panic, but you should try to get an early start so you’re not stuck in traffic fleeing an approaching storm.

If you have an RV in storage…

If you are storing your RV, you should ask about their policy in a storm. Some RV storage facilities will require you to remove it, but if you wait until the last minute, you will never get through on the phone. I know this from experience.

One year, I had to remove my travel trailer from storage, so I brought it home and sheltered it by wedging it between my house and my neighbor’s house. The storm missed us, but we lost power and I was able to live in the RV with generator power.

Another year, I left it in the storage lot. A Cat 2 storm hit my house squarely, knocking out power for two weeks. The travel trailer, 25 miles away, was untouched. I brought it home after the storm passed and lived in it. I was the only one in the neighborhood with hot showers and a working stove (propane).

If you have a boat in storage…

• Ask about your storage lots policies with an approaching storm.
• If allowed, have ground anchors on hand so you can tie it down.
• If your boat damages other boats, you will likely be held responsible — in or out of the water. Check your insurance policy for coverage.
• Some storage lots may require you to remove the boat.

If you have a boat in the water

• If you are in a marina, ask about the marina’s policies in the event of an approaching storm. Many marinas will require you to remove your vessel.
• If your boat is staying in the water, tie it down securely.
• If your boat can be removed from the water, decide how and where you can store it in a storm. Sometimes that means moving the boat inland. Sometimes it means putting it in your garage or sheltering it between houses and using ground anchors.

What about kayaks and paddle boards?

Kayaks, canoes and paddle boards in your yard may become missiles that will hurt people or damage property in a hurricane. Have a plan to tie them down securely or move them into a sheltered space, such as your garage.

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