Florida Division of Emergency Management Recognizes September 2024 as Florida Preparedness Month and Encourages Residents to Stay Prepared

9/3/2024

Florida Division of Emergency Management Recognizes September 2024 as Florida Preparedness Month and Encourages Residents to Stay Prepared

TALLAHASSEE, Fla - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation declaring September as Florida Preparedness Month. The Florida Division of Emergency highlights the importance of Florida residents and visitors preparing for natural and man-made hazards.

"With one named storm already having made landfall this season, I want to emphasize to residents that being prepared doesn't have to be complicated or costly," said FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. "September is the historical peak of hurricane season, so residents need to follow the core five preparedness steps of ensuring disaster plans are in place; fully stocking a disaster supply kit; knowing their evacuation zone and the hurricane impacts their home can withstand; keeping car gas tanks at least halfway full; and knowing to evacuate only tens of miles inland to a safe shelter if necessary."

FDEM continues supporting ongoing recovery efforts in counties impacted by Hurricane Debby and has already obligated over $100 million in recovery funding to areas in need.

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs until November 30, with September marking the historical peak of hurricane season. Every household and business is encouraged to take the necessary steps to finalize their disaster preparedness plans during this time.

Steps to Being Prepared for Floridians

• Make a Plan-Each household should have a disaster plan specific to the needs of everyone in the family, including consideration of children, pets and seniors. Everyone in the household should assist in developing the emergency plan and understand it. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare to make a plan.

• Build a Disaster Supply Kit-Every household should have a disaster supply kit with enough food and water to last each individual for at least seven days. Beginning August 24 through September 6, families can purchase critical disaster preparedness items sales tax-free. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit for a full disaster supply kit checklist and FloridaRevenue.com/DisasterPrep for qualifying items during the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

• Know Your Zone, Know Your Home-Residents need to know if they live in an evacuation zone, a low-lying flood-prone area, a manufactured home, or an unsafe structure during hurricane season. It is important for residents to know their home and its ability to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. This information helps residents better understand orders from local officials during a storm and make informed decisions. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know for more information.

• Keep Gas Tanks Half Full and Electric Vehicles Half Charged-Residents should keep their vehicle's gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season to ensure they have enough fuel to evacuate as soon as possible. For Floridians with electric vehicles, it is 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.

• Evacuate Tens of Miles, Not Hundreds of Miles-If an evacuation order is called for an area, residents will only need to evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds, to reach a safer location. A safer location could be a shelter made to withstand high winds and heavy rain or a stable structure not in a flood zone. Ultimately, residents need to make informed decisions and know what options are available in their community. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for all 67 counties' emergency management websites.

Visit FloridaDisaster.org for emergency information and to learn more about Florida hazards.

###