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Florida Division of Emergency Management Urges Vigilance and Preparedness as 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins

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The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) today marked the official start of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season and urged Floridians to take action to ensure their homes and businesses are prepared. The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30.

“As we saw in the 2022 hurricane season, it only takes one storm to cause significant impacts and devastate a community” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. “If you haven’t already, take the time now to finalize your hurricane preparedness plans for your families and businesses, build your disaster supply kit during the ongoing disaster sales-tax holiday, and start any last-minute home-hardening projects to mitigate impacts from future storms.”

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced record $2.7 billion in tax relief for Floridians, which includes two disaster preparedness sales tax holidays: May 27 – June 9, 2023, and August 26 – September 8, 2023. More on Florida’s Disaster Preparedness sales tax holiday can be found here.

After a very active 2022 season, it is imperative for residents to have preparations in place ahead of any potential storms affecting our state. FDEM urges all Floridians to take a few basic steps now to plan for their personal and family needs and protection in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. The below checklist can help as you begin your planning efforts: 

Complete a Personal Assessment

  • Make a list of your personal needs and your resources for meeting them in a disaster environment.

Get Educated, Get Informed

  • Learn about community disaster plans and community warning systems. 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.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

  • Every household should have a fully stocked disaster supply kit with at least 7 days of items, including consideration of children, pets, and seniors. Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is ongoing and provides residents with the opportunity to purchase supplies tax free during one of two 14-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays.
  • For a full disaster supply kit checklist, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit.

Know Your Home, Know Your Zone

  • Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know to learn what evacuation zone you live in.
  • Know your home’s ability to withstand hurricane force winds.

Have a Plan for Your Pets

  • Have a safe place to take your pets if you cannot bring them with you during an evacuation. Never leave your household pets behind during a hurricane or tropical storm.
  • Assemble a portable pet disaster supply kit with essential supplies to care for your pet.

Utilities

  • Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switches and valves.
  • Keep any tools you will need near gas and water shut-off valves.
  • Turn off utilities only if you suspect lines are damaged or if local officials instruct you to do so.

Safety Devices

  • Be sure you know where your fire extinguishers are located and how to use them.
  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially near the bedrooms.
  • Install a battery-operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detector.
  • Several times a year, test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly.

Important Records and Documents

  • Keep copies of important family records and other documents (birth and marriage certificates, Social Security cards, passports, wills, deeds, financial, insurance, medical/immunization records, and copies of current bills) in a safe deposit box or other waterproof location.

Inventory Home Possessions

  • Make a record of your possessions – in writing or video – to help you claim reimbursement in case of loss or damage.

Reduce Home Hazards

  • Have defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections repaired.
  • Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
  • Have cracks in ceilings and foundations repaired.

Plan for Your Business

For weather updates and safety tips, follow FDEM on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @FLSERT.