Florida Homebuilder Centerline Homes | Real Estate Blog

Hurricane season is in full swing.  Just turn on the news and you will see we have several named storms in the Atlantic right now.  Although it appears as of today Florida isn't in the projected path now is a great time for you to think about some of these following hurricane action items.

1. Review your storm plan.  You should already have a plan laid out for you and your family.  If not you should prepare one now and make sure at least 1 person outside the storm area knows your plan.
   1. Are you in an evacuation zone or mobile home?
   2. Know your evacuation routes
   3. Know what to pack (Food, Money, Clothes, HBC, Sleeping Items)
   4. Make sure you have shutters or plywood ready for installation.  Hire a professional if needed.
   5. If you have a Pet make sure you make plans for them since many shelters will not allow animals.
2. When a Hurricane is approaching DO NOT Trim Your Trees and Shrubs.  Waste Management will not be able to handle the overload and the lose debris is extremely dangerous.
3. Take video or photos of your property (Inside and Out). This will help later on with any insurance claims for damage that may need to be filed.
4. Make Sure Your Gas Tanks in Your Autos are Full.  As we have experienced in the past without power pumps don't work.
5. Stock Up on Nonperishable's.  Make sure you have bottled water, non-perishable foods like canned goods, snack bars, cereal and crackers. Don't forget a can opener!
6. Have enough cash to last at least a week.  History has shown us that we may not have power for over a week.  ATM's and Credit Card Machines may not be available.
7. A Hard Copy of Contact Information.  If you live in an evacuation zone (or plan on leaving town) have a couple hotels preselected or know which family members well out of the affected area you're heading to.
8. Get Plenty of Batteries, at least 2 Flashlights, and a battery operated radio.  Keep in mind if you have one of those small analog TV's it may not work since the digital conversion!
9. Fill a few containers for storing water.  History has shown you may lose water for days if the water plants lose power.  You will need enough water for cooking, cleaning, and bathing.  Another Tip is to keep a big bucket of water for your bathroom.  You can flush the toilet occasionally by pouring water into the bowl.  You can also fill your Tub for an extra supply.
10. Make sure you have extra medications if required.  Many pharmacies may not be open for days following a storm.  Keep a larger supply handy if possible.

See http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml for more info.

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Dengue Fever

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reported Tuesday that more than 1000 people in Key West, Florida had been exposed to Dengue Fever. No infections had been reported since 1934. Dengue Fever is common outside the US, up to one million cases are reported annually. In a statement The CDC’s, Dr. Harold Margolis, expressed concern that if dengue proliferates in Key West, it could spread to other cities where the mosquito that carries the disease is common.  Tourists are being cautioned to take measures against mosquito bite. If bitten by a carrier mosquito in The Keys, there is a chance a second bite after returning home could spread the disease through local mosquitoes.  The Monroe County Health Department medical director, says risk is minimal, the use of a insect repellant containing DEET is recommended.  Dengue has emerged as a worldwide problem only since the 1950s. Although dengue rarely occurs in the continental United States, it is endemic in Puerto Rico, and in many popular tourist destinations in Latin America and Southeast Asia; periodic outbreaks occur in Samoa and Guam.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is characterized by a fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, with general signs and symptoms consistent with dengue fever. When the fever declines, warning signs may develop.

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Hurricane Season is here, are you ready?

Hurricane Season Dates: Hurricane season in the Atlantic began June 1st and ends November 30th.

Hurricane Predictions for 2010

NOAA predicts 8 to 14 hurricanes during the 2010 hurricane season which is a busier-than-usual hurricane season. These early forecasts, will likely be modified depending on the evolving climactic conditions. If the early forecasts prove to be accurate, the 2010 hurricane season will stand in sharp contrast to the relatively mild 2009 season. Special concerns in 2010 are whether a hurricane will hit the already-devastated island of Haiti and how a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico would affect the giant oil slick created by the explosion on the BP offshore driling platform. Another question is whether a hurricane will come ashore in the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coastal areas, some of which have not yet recovered from 2005's Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Names

The 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Names are named alphabetically from the list in chronological order. Thus the first tropical storm or hurricane of the year has a name that begins with "A" and the second is given the name that begins with "B." The lists contain hurricane names that begin from A to W, but exclude names that begin with a "Q" or "U."

There are six lists that continue to rotate. The lists only change when there is a hurricane that is so devastating, the name is retired and another hurricane name replaces it. Thus, the 2010 hurricane name list is the same as the 2004 hurricane name list although four hurricane names were retired after the devastating 2004 hurricane season so on the 2010 list Charley was replaced by Colin, Frances was replaced by Fiona, Ivan was replaced by Igor, and Jeanne was replaced by Julia.

The Official 2010 List of Hurricane Names in The Atlantic are as follows:

1. Alex
2. Bonnie
3. Colin
4. Danielle
5. Earl
6. Fiona
7. Gaston
8. Hermine
9. Igor
10. Julia
11. Karl
12. Lisa
13. Matthew
14. Nicole
15. Otto
16. Paula
17. Richard
18. Shary
19. Tomas
20. Virginie
21. Walter

Here are some Tips to Help you Prepare for Hurricane Season

Centerline Homes salutes all of those who have provided assistance to the victims of Haiti’s recent earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. If you're interested in helping one way of making a $10 donation is to the American Red Cross. Simply text Haiti to 90999 and a $10 charge will appear on your next telephone bill. You can also call 1-800 - Red Cross

As the cold weather threatens the Sunshine State here are some tips and information to help keep you safe and warm.

Because of the normally mild temperatures in Florida many homes lack adequate heating and insulation forcing many to look for alternate sources of heat.  This often leads to fires and injuries which can be avoidable.  The Florida outdoor lifestyle also leads to danger for those not properly prepared when out doing their day to day tasks. In addition to the actual cold temperature, when the wind blows, a wind chill (the temperature that it feels like) is experienced on exposed skin. This can lead to frost bite and other injuries even when temperatures may not seem that low. 

When freezing temperatures, or low wind chills are expected, the National Weather Service will issue warnings or advisories as many have probably seen on TV or heard on the radio this past week.

Here are some tips and things to think about when cold weather hits us.

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