Hurricane Season Is Here, Make a Plan Today!

Hurricane Season Is Here, Make a Plan Today!

Dear Fellow Floridian,

This hurricane season, I urge all Floridians to take the time to make a plan in case of emergency, stock up on supplies and stay alert to weather threats to make sure that our families and businesses are prepared for a storm.

Over the past years, I have seen firsthand the destruction left behind by multiple devastating hurricanes – Michael, Irma, Hermine, Matthew and most recently, Ian, Fiona and Idalia. If there is one thing I learned, it’s that Florida is resilient. Our state and local communities come together in times of need and work incredibly hard to recover from these storms.

Last week, I traveled across the state and met with local emergency managers, elected leaders and business owners to discuss the importance of planning ahead for the 2024 hurricane season. Every community in Florida has felt the devastating effects of a hurricane or tropical storm, and it is vital for families to plan ahead of time.

Florida is resilient because we prepare for storms. I cannot stress this enough: preparedness saves lives. We can always rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life.

Click HERE or above to see a my message on the 2024 Hurricane Season.

Sincerely,

 

 

Rick Scott

United States Senator

Click HERE for more information on keeping you and your loved ones safe when storms hit. Click HERE for more information on the 2024 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. For more information from the IRS on safeguarding important documents, click HERE. ‘

Senator Rick Scott in Mexico Beach

Senator Rick Scott kicked off his hurricane preparedness tour in Florida’s panhandle, urging Florida families to make a plan and get ready for the 2024 Hurricane Season which begins on Saturday, June 1.

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

Senator Rick Scott in St. Pete Beach

Senator Rick Scott visited St. Pete Beach to host a press conference as part of his Hurricane Preparedness Tour and was joined by Representatives Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna and local leaders.

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

Senator Rick Scott in Hialeah

Senator Rick Scott visited Hialeah to host a press conference as part of his Hurricane Preparedness Tour and was joined by Congressman Carlos Gimenez, Commissioner Kevin M. Cabrera and local leaders.

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

Senator Rick Scott in Ft. Myers Beach

Senator Rick Scott visited Ft. Myers to host a press conference as part of his Hurricane Preparedness Tour and was joined by CFO Jimmy Patronis, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno and local leaders.

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

Senator Rick Scott in Melbourne

Senator Rick Scott visited Melbourne to host a press conference as part of his Hurricane Preparedness Tour and was joined by Congressman Bill Posey and local leaders.

Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.

 

Senator Rick Scott made annual visit to Mexico Beach

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – U.S. Senator Rick Scott made his annual visit to Mexico Beach Tuesday morning to talk about hurricane preparedness.

Sen. Scott has made Mexico Beach a stop on his statewide preparedness tour for several years.

After Hurricane Michael hit here in 2018, then-Governor Scott was here almost every day helping oversee the recovery effort and helping secure resources.

Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, State Representative Griffin Griffitts, Mexico Beach’s Mayor Richard Wolff, Fire Chief Sandy Walker, and most of the county commissioners, all joined Sen. Scott urging people to prepare ahead of time for the upcoming season.

“Your responsibility is to have a plan. You need to have an evacuation plan. You need to have a plan for your family, a plan for your kids, a plan for your spouse, a plan for everybody. You need to make sure you have everything you need. Seven days of food, seven days of water, you need a radio, all of your prescriptions. Just think of anything you might need if the power goes out,” Sen. Rick Scott said.

Hurricane season in 4 days on June 1st. Sen. Scott urges Floridians to take advantage of the tax-free holiday on hurricane supplies, which runs from June 1 through the 15th.

Sen. Scott urges hurricane preparedness: ‘You have to do your part’

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – County, state and federal officials are opening hurricane season with a warning: be ready, or be sorry.

“Everybody here is going to work their butt off to keep you alive. But you have to do your part,” said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

Scott held a press conference in St. Pete Beach to urge Floridians to be ready.

“But the odds are somewhere in our state we’re going to have a landfall,” he said.

NOAA is predicting a busier than normal hurricane season, featuring between 17 and 25 named storms, compared to an average of 14.

But no one can no where a storm is going to hit, until it does. Florida learned that the hard way in 2022, when Hurricane Ian seemed to be on its way to Tampa Bay, but then claimed 150 lives in the Fort Myers area, often people who either didn’t follow warnings, or didn’t get them in time.

“It’s been over 100 years since Tampa Bay has had a direct hit, from a major hurricane,” said State Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Clearwater). “But that’s no reason to be complacent. And, in fact, I’m going to knock on wood, at some point, that luck is going to run out.”

Pinellas County Emergency managers started their public relations effort today to urge people to gather hurricane kits now, to know where vital information is going to come from, and to believe officials when they say it’s time to go.

“In the last few years, we’ve certainly seen a reduction in the number of people coming to shelters,” said Pinellas EOC director Cathie Perkins. “We hope that’s the fact that we’ve done such a good job on educating people that they can go other places. I think there is a complacency, and we have been trying to address that.”

They see some hope in an adjusted hurricane warning system, which the National Hurricane Center will begin releasing in August.

There will still be cones and spaghetti models, but a new graphic will color code where all the different levels of watches and warnings are in place.

“We know that that cone only shows we’re at the center of the storm is two-thirds of the time,” said Perkins. “So people aren’t thinking about the extent of how far out those impacts are. So I think that new graphic does help convey that.”

Hurricane Preparedness

As Floridians, we know that preparedness saves lives. As the 2024 hurricane season began on June 1st, the time for Florida families and businesses to make a plan is TODAY.

Now is a great opportunity for your family to stock your disaster supply kits with vital supplies like a first aid kit, a radio, flashlights, batteries and other necessities. Your kit should also include 7 days worth of food and water, prescription medications and any important documents.

This week, Floridians can restock their hurricane preparedness kits tax-free. The sales tax holiday ends on Friday, June 14 so make sure to take advantage of the savings while you can.

Watch Sen. Scott and Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore’s Hurricane Season PSA HERE or below.

You can find resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan HERE.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare your family and business for this upcoming season:

Before a Storm

• Prepare an evacuation plan & make sure everyone in your home knows the plan.
• Stock up on emergency supplies, including:
  • Water – You will need water for drinking, cooking and sanitation purposes. Pack a minimum of 1 gallon daily per person for 7 days
  • Food – You will need enough food for a minimum of 7 days:
    • Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices
      • Manual can opener
    • Foods for individuals with dietary restrictions (i.e. infants, elderly, etc.)
    • Snack foods
    • Cooking tools and fuel
    • Paper plates and plastic utensils
  • Flashlight and Extra Batteries
  • Pillows, Blankets and/or Sleeping Bags
  • Clothing – Include a complete change of clothes suitable for your area’s climate. Be sure to include sturdy shoes to protect you from debris or other sharp objects you may encounter outdoors post-storm
  • First Aid Kit, Prescription Medication and Other Medicines
  • Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
  • Toiletries
  • Cleaning Supplies – Include garbage bags, moisture wipes and other items you may need to sanitize your home or surrounding post-disaster
  • Special Items – Assess all family members needs. Consider other items needed for infants, elderly and individuals with access and functional needs (i.e. medical items, baby bottles, etc.)
  • Cash – Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods following a disaster
  • Toys, Books and Games
  • Important Documents – Consider storing all critical documents in a waterproof container, as well as saving them electronically. These items can include, but are not limited to, insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
  • Tools
  • Pet Care Items
    • Proper identification/ immunization records
    • Ample supply of food and water
    • Carrier or cage
    • Medications
    • Muzzle and leash
    • Photo of you and your pet(s) – in the event that you are separated from your pet, having an updated photo with your pet will help validate pet ownership
• If you have been told to evacuate, EVACUATE. Don’t stay behind. We can rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life.

During a Storm

• Follow instructions from local law enforcement and emergency management officials.
• Stay away from windows and seek shelter.

After a Storm If you were advised to evacuate, do not return home until it is safe to do so. Be mindful of debris and down power lines. Do not drive or walk around outside if you do not have to.

 

Hurricane Preparedness Resources Websites

• FEMA: Visit FEMA for up-to-date information, support, services, and to apply for disaster assistance following a storm.
• SBA: Visit SBA to learn about low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from a major disaster
• FloridaDisaster.org: Visit FloridaDisaster.org for resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan for your family.
• HUD: Visit HUD to learn about housing assistance available to homeowners and renters
• National Hurricane Center: Visit NHC for the latest updates on tropical weather threats.

Helpful Accounts on Twitter

• @FLSERT
• @NHC_Atlantic
• @MyFDOT
• @GasBuddy
• Local Sheriff’s Office
• Local Emergency Operations Centers

TALLAHASSEE 111 N. Adams Street, Suite 208 Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: (850) 942-8415	WEST PALM BEACH  415 Clematis Street, Suite 201 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Phone: (561) 514-0189	TAMPA 801 North Florida Avenue, Suite 421 Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 225-7040
KISSIMMEE  1 Courthouse Square, Suite 300 Kissimmee, FL 34741 Phone: (407) 586-7879	PENSACOLA  221 Palafox Place, Suite 420 Pensacola, FL 32502 Phone: (850) 760-5151	MIAMI  901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 505 Miami, FL 33134 Phone: (786) 501-7141
NAPLES 3299 Tamiami Trail East, #106 Naples, FL 34112 Phone: (239) 231-7890	JACKSONVILLE 400 West Bay Street, Suite 289 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904) 479-7227	ORLANDO 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 410 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 872-7161
	WASHINGTON, D.C. 110 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-5274
	Fax: (202) 228-4535