2020 Storm Season Tips & Information
Preparation
Hurricane and storm shutters must be approved by the Lake Ashton ARC. Please complete an ARC form online at ashtonliving.net. Please call 863-325-0065 with any questions.
Historically the Florida Legislature approves of a tax holiday for hurricane preparation items such as generators, batteries, and flashlights. For 2020 the dates will be May 29 through June 4.
Lake Ashton is not in an evacuation zone and is not scheduled for evacuation during any storm.
Consider a safe deposit box or waterproof safe for deeds, titles, stock certificates, wills, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, military and adoption records, credit card and bank account numbers, insurance policies, etc.
Review your insurance coverage including extent of coverage, damage coverage, and deductibles; photograph, videotape or document your list of valuables for insurance.
Trim trees to reduce the effects of wind and remove weak or dead branches.
Stockpile enough water in clean, plastic containers to provide each person in your home a gallon a day for a week.
Store a week’s supply of non-perishable food and be sure to include food for pets. Be sure to have a non-electric can opener on hand. Keep a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain medicine, anti-diarrheal medication, sunscreen, baby wipes, and bug repellent.
Have plastic tarps, hammer, nails, towels, mop, bucket, bleach, and plastic trash bags on hand.
Have two coolers; one for ice, the other for perishable food.
Consider a non-electric telephone that connects directly to a wall jack or a cellular phone for communication.
Consider using battery powered tap lights as a light source in the event of power outage.
Visit the official site for Florida emergency preparation at www.floridadisaster.org.
Go to www.alertpolk.com to register your contact information for the Alert Polk telephone and email notification system. Polk County officials use this system to inform county residents of situations that may affect their health, safety, and welfare, including severe weather alerts.
If A Storm Threatens
Know the difference between a hurricane watch and warning. A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours or less.
Fill your vehicle with gas and have cash on hand as well as enough prescription medication to last a week.
Charge your cell phone.
Fill the tank of your propane gas grill.
Move garbage cans, furniture, bird feeders, potted plants, gas grill and lawn ornaments indoors.
Super-chlorinate your pool.
Helpful on-line resources
o www.weather.gov
o www.polk-county.net
A lightning detection system is in place at Lake Ashton. A high-pitched siren sounds and strobe lights turn on and stay on when lightning is in the area. These strobe lights are at various locations including on top of the Clubhouse, the backside of the HFC and at the boat dock on Lake Ashton. When the danger of lightning has passed, a low-pitched horn will sound the all clear
and the strobe lights will turn off. Be safe, and remember that lightning strikes may occur far away from a visible storm. Get out of pools, do not stand under trees, and get indoors when the siren sounds. Please remember that golf carts are not safe from lightning.
After A Storm
Severe storm damage may result in Lake Ashton CERT being activated to perform as first responders  until  professionals  arrive  on  the  scene.  Please  comply  with  all  CERT  members’ instructions.
Drive only when necessary and avoid flooded roads and standing water. You can end up stranded and rescue crews may not be available. Traffic lights may not be functioning properly.
In case of damage: photograph any damage and then make temporary repairs. Keep all receipts for temporary repairs, temporary housing, and food. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Frozen Food Guidelines:
Discard frozen meat, casseroles, convenience foods, fish, baked goods and dairy if they have thawed and stood at 40 degrees for over two (2) hours. Discard frozen vegetables if they defrost and stand at 50 degrees for eight (8) hours.
Refrigerated Food Guidelines:
Discard milk, yogurt, cream products, meats, casseroles, leftovers, refrigerator baked goods, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish, eggs, soft cheese, cottage cheese, and cooked vegetables after they have stood above 40 degrees for over two (2) hours.
It is okay to keep butter, margarine, hard & processed cheese, breads, jelly, relish, ketchup, mustard, and fresh uncooked fruits and vegetables.
There may be a boil water advisory issued from the City of Lake Wales or the City of Winter Haven. Call your city emergency management to check on the status of city water. If there is a boil water advisory, there are three (3) acceptable purification methods:
Bring water to a rolling boil for ten (10) minutes.
Add eight (8) drops of plain chlorine bleach per gallon of water and let stand for thirty
(30) minutes.
Use water purification tablets per the directions on the label.
Helpful Telephone Numbers
Polk County Emergency Management	863.534.5600
Polk County Citizens Information Line (only active during a storm)	863.401.2234
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Helpline	800.462.9029

Categories & Winds
Tropical Storm: 39-73 mph
Category 1: 74-95 mph
Category 2: 96-110 mph
Category 3: 111-130 mph
Category 4: 131-155 mph
Category 5: 156+ mph

Names for Tropical Storms 2020
Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, Wilfred
These tips are compiled from many different resources. If you have any suggestions or corrections, please contact Community Director, Christine Wells, at cwells@lakeashtoncdd.com