Fla. Residents Can Make Home Safer Through Visit with Disaster Experts

Teams of hazard mitigation advisors with expertise in how to make homes and businesses safer from disasters will be available at area home improvement stores starting Monday, Jan. 16, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Hazard Mitigation Advisors will be available to educate citizens on mitigation strategies and techniques that will reduce their losses during the upcoming hurricane season. The mitigation strategies range from something as simple as a family emergency plan to building a “safe room” that protects lives against the hazards of most hurricanes and tornados. A study by The National Institute of Building Science’s Multi-hazard Mitigation Council found that, although risk from national disasters cannot be eliminated completely, every dollar spent on mitigation can save as much as four dollars in response and recovery.

Residents will receive free literature on a myriad of safety measures to implement before next hurricane season. Topics include blueprints to build safe rooms, techniques on home elevation and other mitigation, cleaning mold and mildew, protecting property against wind damage, understanding the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the benefits of disaster preparedness.

Four mitigation teams are scheduled to be in the disaster-affected area for the next three weeks. The first week, from Monday, Jan. 16 through Sunday, Jan. 22, they will be available each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

In Dade County:
Lowes #1841
17460 NW 57th Ave.
Hialeah, Fla. 33015

Home Depot
Dade County
3030 SW 8th St.
Miami, Fla. 33135

In Lee County:
Lowes #0582
Fort Myers
14960 S. Tamiami Trail
Ft Myers, Fla. 34109

Home Depot
Fort Myers East
3402 Omni Blvd.
Ft Myers, Fla. 33916

The second week, from Monday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 29, they will be available each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

In Dade County:
Home Depot
1590 West 49th St.
Hialeah, Fla. 33012

Home Depot
Cutler Ridge
19400 SW 106th Ave.
Miami, Fla. 33157

In Lee County:
Lowes #0592
1651 NE Pine Island Rd.
Cape Coral, Fla. 33909

Home Depot
Cape Coral
3031 NE Pine Island Rd.
Cape Coral, Fla. 33909

The third and final week, from Monday, Jan. 30 through Sunday, Feb. 5, they will be available each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

In Dade County:
Home Depot
NW Dade
5500 NW 167th St.
Hialeah, Fla. 33014

Home Depot
West Kendall
15750 SW 88th St.
Miami, Fla. 33196

In Lee County:
Home Depot
Fort Myers
14655 S. Tamiami Trail
Ft Myers, Fla. 33912

Home Depot
Bonita Springs
11941 Bonita Beach Rd SE
Bonita Springs, Fla. 34135

The teams may visit other area stores in the weeks following. Times and locations will be announced.