Escambia County encourages residents to join in observing Florida Preparedness Month during September. Florida Preparedness Month is observed each year by the state of Florida and the Florida Division of Emergency Management in conjunction with FEMA National Preparedness Month to increase awareness of the historical peak of Atlantic Hurricane season.

"We are now entering the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season," Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins said. "We are beginning to see more activity in the tropics, which means now is the best time to prepare your household with at least seven days' worth of essential items. If you have not done so already, we encourage you to set up emergency alerts on all cell phones in your household and follow us on our social media channels if you are active on social media. Emergency Management will be working with local, state, and federal agencies to provide the latest storm updates for our residents and visitors."

A Minute with EM

Each week, ECEM produces a new episode a "A Minute with EM," which focus on emergency management-related topics, including hurricane preparedness, weekly weather forecasts, how-to tips related to preparedness, community partnership spotlights and more. Throughout September, Escambia County Meteorologist Scottlin Williams will host a new episode focusing on Florida Preparedness Month.

Every "A Minute with EM" video can be viewed at MyEscambia.com/BeReady, and on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.

Prepare now for disasters by following these tips from Escambia County and FEMA:

• Know Your Zone - Do you live in a hurricane evacuation zone? Learn your evacuation zone and have an evacuation plan. Find your zone at MyEscambia.com/KnowYourZone.
• Know Your Home - Is it prepared for a hurricane? Your safest place may be at home instead of a shelter.
• Know Your Plan - Where can you stay if you are evacuated? Confirm plans now with family or friends, before the storm.

Get One Week Ready

• Citizens should be equipped to provide for themselves, their families and their pets for at least one week following a major hurricane.
• Make an emergency plan and build your disaster kit with food, water, tools and other supplies for you and your family. Click here for a form to create your family emergency communication plan, including tips on how to practice your plan.
• Know where you will get emergency information, including alerts and warnings.
• Strengthen your home and complete any needed repairs.
• Know your evacuation zone, and have an evacuation plan.
• Pay attention to local guidance about updated plans for evacuations and shelters, including shelters for your pets.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

• Insurance is the first line of defense in a disaster. Check your insurance coverage and review FEMA's document and insure property guide.
• Flood insurance allows communities and families to recover more quickly and more fully. Visit floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance and how to protect your home or business.

Save for an Emergency

• Plan financially for the possibility of a disaster.
• Complete an emergency financial first aid kit.
• Maintain emergency savings for use in case of a disaster or other emergency.

Learn Lifesaving Skills

• Become CPR certified. Click here for a list of available CPR classes offered by Escambia County EMS.
• Know basic home maintenance to protect your family and your home. Learn how to mitigate your home against damage, and know how to turn off utilities like natural gas.
• Know the ways to keep your home safe from cooking, heating and electrical fires.

If you are medically dependent on electricity or oxygen, sign up with Florida's Special Needs Registry. Specific information regarding the Escambia County Special Needs Registry and Public Shelter Program and other disaster-related information is available at EscambiaHealth.com.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center are resources for weather information and will issue frequent watches, warnings, forecasts and analyses of severe tropical weather.

For more information about disaster preparedness, visit MyEscambia.com/BeReady or check out the Escambia County Disaster Guide. For updates about emergency preparedness and more, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook, follow @BeReadyEscambia on X (formerly known as Twitter), and follow @EscambiaBeReady on Instagram.

Click here to learn more about National Preparedness Month and how you can participate.

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