Develop a plan for how you will communicate with loved ones after a disaster.
Identify an out-of-state contact--long distance phone lines often work before local phone lines are restored, so using an out-of-state contact is a good idea. Provide this person with the contact information of people you want to keep informed of your situation.
Have everyone in your family check-in with the out-of-state contact as soon as possible after disaster strikes.
Avoid making non-urgent phone calls after a disaster - even if phone lines are un-damaged, increased phone traffic can jam phone circuits.
Don't count on your cell phone - increased traffic on cell phone networks can quickly overload wireless capacity. Record an outgoing message on your voicemail so that callers can be re-assured of your safety status.
Have a backup phone that does not require electricity – cordless phones require electricity, so make sure you have at least one phone that requires no electricity (uses cord connection to operate).
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail
address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to
this entity. Instead contact this office by phone or in writing.