Natural Emergencies Frequently Asked Questions

Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Fires and floods cause evacuations most frequently, and residents along the coast will need to evacuate when a hurricane approaches. Listen to local officials for evacuation orders and relevant information, and do as directed.

The amount of time you have will depend on the hazard. For a hurricane, you might have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is essential:

• Determine primary and alternative evacuation routes and where you will go. Choose a sturdy home or hotel outside of the evacuation zone, or a public shelter.
• Identify emergency contacts, essential needs, and how you will communicate.
• Assemble supplies like bottled water, non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, a first-aid kit, and medications.
• Develop a plan for your animals, including identification and carriers.
• Take steps to protect your property and secure any vehicles or boats.
• Know your primary and alternate evacuation routes; choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency.
• Evacuate early.
• Travel tens of miles, not hundreds of miles, and shelter locally.
• Remember, shelter openings are incident-specific – so tune into the local news, radio, social media, or contact the Community Information Hotline (2-1-1) for open shelter locations.

For more information, please visit Brevard County Emergency Management’s website. 

Using a generator indoors can kill you in minutes. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide. This is a poison you cannot see or smell. Never use a generator inside a home or garage, even if doors and windows are open. Only use outside and 20 feet from windows, doors and vents. point the exhaust away from your home.

If a hurricane or other natural emergency is in the forecast, be prepared to be without utilities, including electricity and potable water, after the storm. Interruption in service could last for several days depending on how widespread and how severe the storm damage is.

In the event of a power outage, the following should be discarded:

• Perishable foods including meats, dairy products and eggs that have not been refrigerated for more than two hours.
• Foods contaminated by floodwaters.

During a hurricane or other natural emergency, all residents will be advised to be prepared for potential loss of water service and for the possible issue of a Precautionary Boil Water Notice once water service is restored.  You can prepare by storing water ahead of the storm. 

Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause heavy rains, flooding, and power loss, putting a strain on wastewater systems. To help prevent backups into homes, we may ask residents and visitors to limit water usage to essential functions before, during, and after a storm. This means keeping showers short, delaying laundry, and minimizing dishwashing.

Never stack tree trimmings, yard debris or any kind of trash on top of a stormwater inlet. These can wash into and clog the stormwater inlet, which could cause flooding on your street.

Bring trash cans, yard décor, toys, sports equipment, and lawn furniture inside. During Tropical Storm Fay an entire neighborhood flooded after a trash can lid washed into an inlet and blocked the stormwater pipe.

As soon as conditions are deemed safe after a hurricane or other natural emergency, city crews will begin preliminary damage assessments, including assessing our water distribution system. While initial damage assessments are underway we will urge everyone to remain sheltered and stay off the roads until public safety officials deem it is safe to travel. Please keep roadways clear to allow crews to restore services as quickly as possible.

After a hurricane or strong storm, the City will determine whether it will be necessary to hire a disaster debris removal contractor to assist with storm cleanup. If this is the case, staff will establish an efficient and effective system in coordination with the contractor so that residents will know what to expect and how to have your disaster-generated debris removed successfully. Though each storm may be different, in general following these guidelines will help make the removal process as efficient as possible:

• All storm debris needs to be separated from regular household trash and recycling. Storm debris piles CANNOT be mixed, they must be separated. 
• Waste Management WILL NOT be collecting piles of yard waste but WILL collect any yard waste that is placed in cans or carts.
• DO NOT stack debris in the roadway. This interferes with street-sweeping operations, creates traffic issues and impairs drainage.

To access assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) you can apply or update your information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or through the FEMA mobile app. For an overview of the process, see What to Expect When You Apply Online.

Please contact the City of Melbourne Building Department to let us know if you will be making major repairs, such as re-roofing, to your home or business. Minor repairs, such as downed fencing, may be made without a permit. Please call 321-608-7900.

Please contact the City of Melbourne Building Department at 321-608-7900 before demolishing or clearing a damaged home or building from your property. A permit will be required and the demolition may also require an inspection to ensure the integrity of the sewer or water distribution system.

If your home was damaged and repairs have been made by a certified electrician you may still require an inspection before FPL can connect power to your home. Please contact the City of Melbourne Building Department at 321-608-7900 to schedule an inspection.

• Brevard County Emergency Management is responsible for the disaster preparedness of Brevard County residents; communication and coordination of emergency services before, during, and after a disaster; development of contingency and preparedness plans; and providing education on how to prepare for and reduce the effects of disasters.
• Ready.gov is a federal website providing helpful information about a range of emergencies and what do to before during and after a natural emergency.
• Florida Division of Emergency Management is a state agency that plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters.

Please see Chapter 18, Civil Emergencies, Article II, Emergency Management in the City of Melbourne Code of Ordinances. Authority for emergency response activities by local and state officials and agencies is set forth in Florida Statute Chapter 252, and the Governor’s Executive Order #80-29. These documents provide local governmental jurisdictions with the authority to compel the evacuation of citizens within the legal boundaries, and to declare a Local State of Emergency.

Before a Storm Emergency

• Make a Plan: Where will you go? What evacuation route will you take? What supplies, medications, and documents will you need? It's important to sort all of these details out well before a storm approaches. Create a plan for you, your family and your business. Get tips and templates from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
  
  
• Build a Kit: Your kit should contain enough food, water and medications to support yourself and your family for at least several days. If you have pets, include supplies for their needs as well. See Ready.gov's Build a Kit page for lists of basic and additional supplies.
  
  
• Stay Informed: Information is critical before, during and after a disaster or emergency.

• Visit the City of Melbourne’s website home page for city updates during an emergency.
• You can also get updates on the city's Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) pages.
• Sign up for Code Red to receive emergency notices via phone, cell phone, text, or e-mail regarding the city's water service and precautionary boil water alerts. If you cannot register online, call (321) 608-5080.
• You can also get announcements on the Brevard County's Facebook page and Brevard County's X page. To get text alerts from the county, text the number 888777 with the message BrevardEOC. 
• 2-1-1 Brevard provides information and assistance in times of emotional, financial and community crisis day-to-day and before, during and after a disaster. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember number and provides access to trained specialists around the clock – 24-hours a day, 365 days a year

During the Storm Emergency

• Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.
• If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
• Take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds.
• Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around. Don’t drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

After the Storm

• Pay attention to local officials for information and special instructions.
• Be careful during clean up. Wear protective clothing, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled, even if these individuals are not allergic to mold. Children should not help with disaster cleanup work.
• Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
• Do not wade in flood water, which can contain dangerous pathogens that cause illnesses. This water also can contain debris, chemicals, waste and wildlife. Underground or downed power lines also can electrically charge the water.
• Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems often are down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
• Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.

For more information about these tips and additional guidance for preparing and responding to a natural emergency, visit Ready.gov.