Florida Division of Emergency Management Reminds Residents to Prepare 50 Days Ahead of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
TALLAHASSEE Fla. - Today marks exactly 50 days until the beginning of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (the Division) encourages all Floridians to begin home, business and family preparations now ahead of any potential storms that may impact our state this coming hurricane season. You can find information on how to prepare for hurricane season at FloridaDisaster.org.
"During the next 50 days, I will be traveling across the state and meeting with regional coordinators and emergency management personnel to make sure every county is ready for the season ahead," said Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. "I encourage every Floridian to take necessary steps to ensure that their families and businesses are preparing for the 2024 hurricane season as well."
The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and runs through November 30, with the historical peak of the season beginning in September. In anticipation of a potentially extremely active hurricane season, it is imperative for residents to understand their risks and take steps to prepare for the many hazards that hurricanes can bring. Regardless of hurricane season predictions, it only takes one storm to harm communities.
Understanding Hurricane Season
- Know Your Zone, Know Your Home – It’s important for residents to know if their home is in an evacuation zone, a low-lying, flood-prone area, a mobile home or an unsafe structure during hurricane season. Residents should also take the time to know their home and its ability to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. This information will help residents better understand orders from local officials during a storm. For more information and to determine evacuation zones, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know.
- Have Multiple Ways to Receive Weather Alerts – Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and follow all orders from local county emergency management officials. Every household is encouraged to have a battery-operated or hand-crank weather radio to ensure they can continue to receive alerts from the National Weather Service in the event of power outages or damaged cell towers. Sign up for alerts at FloridaDisaster.org/AlertFlorida.
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown! – Flooding can occur with little to no warning and individuals should never drive or walk in flooded areas. Remember, it only takes one foot of floodwater to move most vehicles, and more than half of all flood-related deaths result from swept away vehicles. If flooding occurs, get to higher ground immediately!
- Build a Disaster Supply Kit – Following the impact of a hurricane, residents may lose access to basic services, such as power and water, and be subject to limited or no access to essentials like food, drinking water and medicine. Households are encouraged to have enough essential supplies to last every member of the family, including pets, at least seven days. For a disaster supply kit checklist, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit.
- Keep Gas Tanks Half Full – Residents and visitors should keep their gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season to ensure they have enough fuel to evacuate as soon as possible without worrying about long lines at gas stations and to avoid gas shortages prior to a storm. For Floridians with electric vehicles, it’s recommended that the battery be maintained between 50% - 80% capacity at all times, depending on the type of vehicle and what the vehicle’s manual recommends. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/HalfwayFull for more information.
- Hurricane Hazards – Hurricanes bring with them an increased threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, flooding, rip currents and severe thunderstorms, both before, during and post-landfall. These risks have the potential to affect the entire state of Florida. That is why it’s important to make a plan for each member of the family, including pets. For more information, visit FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare.
Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide to download the 2024 Florida Hurricane Guide.
For weather updates and safety tips, follow the Division on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).
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Updated: Friday, April 12, 2024
