If you live in a hurricane-prone area, here are some tips on making it easier to prepare your land tortoises in the event that one (or three!) hurricanes should strike your area.
          Land tortoises are easier to deal with than aquatic tortoises, as you do not have to worry about keeping them wet. It is important, however, to ensure that you have a way of keeping them warm, a source of food, and clean water. Hurricanes pose several problems, besides the danger of losing your house! You will lose power (although the duration may vary from a few hours to a few weeks). The old adage of "have enough supplies for three days", well, that does not quite cut it. Have enough supplies on hand to see you through a no power situation for two weeks (three if you can).
          What can you do to keep your tortoises warm without power? I would not suggest using any kind of open flame in an attempt to heat up their enclosure! If you have a generator, you could run a heat lamp/pad off of that. Be forewarned that generator current is not steady and may damage your heat lamp/pad. A simple desk lamp will suffice as a heat lamp. Keep anything flammable away from the heat source! If you start a fire, the trucks would have a hard time coming out to you. Most tortoises can withstand a few days at a lower temperature, except debilitated or young ones. If you have a tortoise that absolutely must be kept at a certain temperature , the best thing to do would be to find a temporary home that does have power and set up the tortoise there. Ask your friends, or even your boss-hurricanes cause unusual situations, and a tortoise in the office (if it has power) will probably not be a big concern.
          The other problem with no power is that you will have no refrigeration for any foods for your tortoise. Again, you could use a generator to run a freezer or fridge, or you can stock up on ice and keep their food in a cooler. Getting your tortoises used to eating at least some non-perishable food is a good idea. Cans of food for land tortoises are available at retailers and would be handy to keep around. Try and have the tortoise at least exposed to that kind of food before the hurricane so they will be more apt to eat it after. Finding fresh fruit and vegetables in the grocery stores after the hurricane will be hard, if not impossible. Realistically, unless the tortoise is very old, young, or debilitated, a few days without food will not harm them.
          This brings us to another point, water. Clean water must be in front of the tortoise, even if you are unable to feed them. Fill clean gallon jugs with the tortoises' usual water before the hurricane and keep them on hand. Put one in the car (clearly marked "tortoise"!) in case you have to evacuate quickly, along with some non-perishable food. Stock up on bedding (at least three weeks supply) before the hurricane-after the hurricane it will be very difficult to find basics such as gas, let alone pet bedding. Store it in plastic totes or bags in case of rain leakage.
          If you stay home during the hurricane, it would be a very good idea to place the tortoise in an escape-proof plastic box with you in case you have to evacuate your home quickly. Sweater boxes work well for this-drill some air holes in the box and make sure the lid can be securely closed. If you have to evacuate, be forewarned shelters will not take animals (even tortoises). I would suggest leaving the tortoise with a friend or neighbor-make arrangements well in advance of the storm. As a last resort, you could leave the escape proof box in your vehicle-during the hurricane the temperature will not be very high. It is important not to leave the tortoise in the vehicle any longer than is necessary, and to make sure it can get plenty of air (drill those holes!). A cardboard box can do in a pinch, but will be quickly soiled and are not escape proof. Leaving the tortoise in a vehicle is definetly a last resort! Check with friends, neighbors, local vets, and local tortoise clubs for alternate temporary homes well in advance of the storm. Driving anywhere after the storm will be difficult, if not impossible, so make sure you leave enough food and water for several days with the substitute caretakers, and get the tortoise(s) to their destination well before the storm. Leave clear feeding instructions, contact information, and alternate contacts (in case you are not reachable). Do not count on cell phones working during or after the storms, many towers are destroyed in hurricanes and the circuits clog with calls. Leave a land based line number if possible with the caretaker.
          Tortoises are amazingly resilient, and you will probably find they handle the storms better than you do! Keep them clean and plenty of fresh water in front of them, and they will pull through fine. Should you find yourself in this situation, keep yourself safe above all- you can not help your tortoises if you get hurt! Be careful and good luck.