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Emergency Preparedness

Satellite image of a huricane over the Gulf of Mexico.

Response and Recovery

If disaster strikes....
Stay calm. Check the area around you for safety.

Stay away from downed power lines.
Have injuries treated by a medical professional.
Listen to your battery-powered radio for news and instructions.
Evacuate, if advised to do so. Return only when local authorities advise that it is safe.
Use flashlights. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches if you think there may be damage to your home.
Call/text your family contacts.
Check on your neighbors, especially elders or individuals with disabilities.
Put your pets in a safe place. They will be confused and scared and it may be dangerous.
Check your home for fire and other household hazards. Check (smell) for gas leaks. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
Watch but limit your time in front of the television. Constant exposure to crisis or disaster pictures, news and information can cause serious emotional issues.

All emergency information for Hurricane Ian can be found at FloridaDisaster.org.

External Link Disclaimer: As a convenience and for informational purposes only, the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides external hyperlinks on its website, directing website users toward certain outside sites; links to these websites do not constitute VR's endorsement or approval of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. All links VR provides are consistent with the mission of its website. However, VR exercises no editorial control over the information website users may find on external websites. VR also cannot attest to the accuracy or appropriateness of information provided by external websites and organizations.

The Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is an equal opportunity employer. It is against the law for VR as a recipient of Federal financial assistance to discriminate against any individual in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief. The application process used by VR to determine eligibility for services, any subsequent services and the entire VR process are subject to these non-discrimination requirements. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. VR program receives 78.7 percent of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For the 2022 Federal fiscal year, the total amount of grant funds awarded were $176,521,122. The remaining 21.3 percent of the costs ($47,775,094) were funded by Florida State Appropriations. Revised October 2022.