The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a great amount of information available concerning topics such as understanding your water and wind risks, preparing in advance of storms, understanding forecasts, and using caution after storms.

The Charlotte County Disaster Guide (also available in Spanish and Haitian) is a wealth of information for everyone from residents experiencing their first storm to life-long Floridians. The guide helps residents make a detailed plans both for evacuating and sheltering in place.

Be sure to locate your evacuation zone using Know Your Zone. Then, be ready to act if the City issues an evacuation order. Register with Alert Punta Gorda, the City's emergency public notification system, so you don't miss any updates.

Charlotte County opens hurricane shelters, all of which are pet friendly, based on the forecasted conditions of each storm. These shelters should be used as a last resource. It is generally not necessary to evacuate hundreds of miles away. Check with friends and family not under an evacuation order to see if they can accommodate you. Hotels can also be an option, just be sure to determine if they will accept any pets you will be traveling with.

Once a tropical storm or hurricane warning has been issued, residents are allowed to begin cross-tying vessels in the canals. The City has prepared a Hurricane Preparedness for Boat Owners guide to assist residents in making preparations.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has published a Sandbagging Techniques guide with helpful information on how to stack sandbags.

After a storm, you are vulnerable to scams, price gouging, and unlicensed contractors who travel to disaster areas. Rushing to repair can lead to poor work and financial loss.

Protect Yourself

• Get Multiple Bids
  Get at least three separate, written, and itemized estimates for any repair work.
• Never Pay in Full Upfront
  Do not pay more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less. This is the law for most contracts. Never pay the final amount until the work is 100% complete and has passed final inspection.
• Avoid Cash Payments
  Pay with a check or credit card to a business, not an individual, to maintain a clear record.
• Get a Written Contract
  Always get a detailed contact that includes the scope of work, total cost, and a start and completion date.

Verify Your Contractor

• State License
  Verify the contractor has a state license on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's website or by calling 850-487-1395.
• City Registration
  Confirm the contractor is registered to work in the City on our website or by calling the Building Division at 941-575-3324.
• Ask for Insurance
  Ask for a copy of the contractor's general liability insurance and workers' compensation certificate. Call the insurance company to confirm the policy is active.

Red Flags of a Scam

Be suspicious of anyone who:

• Shows up unsolicited at your door.
• Uses high-pressure tactics (e.g., "This price is for today only").
• Asks for all the money upfront or only accepts cash.
• Asks you to pull the permit for them.
• Drives an unmarked truck or has out-of-state license plates.
• Only provides a business tax receipt, which is not a contractor's license.

How to Report Scams and Fraud

If you suspect fraud, price gouging, or unlicensed work, report it immediately.

Florida Attorney General Price gouging hotline	866-966-7226
Department of Business and Professional Regulation Unlicensed contractor hotline	866-532-1440
Building Division Report contractors who need to register	941-575-3324

For the City to be eligible for reimbursement for debris removal, residents must maintain separate, loose piles of storm debris in the following categories: vegetative debris; construction/demolition debris; furniture; appliances/white goods; electronics. Debris should be placed along the curb without blocking the roadway or storm drains.

The City contracts with debris haulers

Regular residential waste, yard waste, and recycling should be collected using the normal carts/methods.

Following a tropical storm or hurricane, there may be a number of at-risk or derelict vessels in the canals and Charlotte Harbor. Please report such vessels to the Police Department's non-emergency line (941-639-4111) so that the enforcement process can begin. To learn more about this process, view the Derelict Vessels page.

When traveling in the immediate aftermath of a tropical storm or hurricane, you may come upon flooded roads. Do not attempt to walk or drive through flood waters. Turn around. Don't drown. Only 6 inches of water are needed to knock over an adult and just 1 to 2 feet of water can carry away most cars.

Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, e-bikes, scooters, electric lawnmowers, and cordless power tools. Once submerged in saltwater, such as Charlotte Harbor's waters, these batteries pose a serious fire threat, which may take days to occur. Place any compromised batteries on open ground away from other valuable property. The National Fire Protection Agency has more information on this topic.

If flood waters have entered your home, begin drying it as soon as possible to prevent mold growth. The United States Environmental Protection Agency offers information on cleaning up after floods to protect indoor air and your health.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a Generator Safety guide. If you plan to use a generator if you lose power, be sure it's in good operating condition and review these instructions.

Experiencing a hurricane can leave you feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed. If you need mental health support following a storm, you can reach out to the Disaster Distress Helpline, which is available 24/7. Just call or text 1-800-985-5990.

 Seawalls can fail during and following hurricanes due to erosion and changes in hydrostatic pressure. If you observe damage to your seawalls, please report the damage to Public Works via the online form, by emailing staff, or by calling 941-575-5050.

If you are experiencing erosion behind your seawall, the City has created a guide to stabilizing erosion while awaiting seawall repairs.