May 18, 2016

FLORIDA HEALTH REMINDS FLORIDIANS TO GET READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—With the 2016 Hurricane Season just around the corner, the Florida Department of Health urges Floridians to take action now to protect their family and property as part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, celebrated May 15-21. Florida has not had a hurricane in 10 years, and National Hurricane Preparedness Week serves as a reminder to prepare now for a potential hurricane or tropical storm.

“Florida has gone a decade without a hurricane and many Floridians, whether new or lifelong residents, may have become relaxed in their preparation efforts,” said Interim State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip. “Hurricane season should be treated as a serious threat every year and I encourage all Floridians to have an updated emergency plan and disaster supply kit in place.”

As part of its preparation efforts, last week the department participated in the Governor’s Hurricane Conference, which celebrated its 30^th anniversary this year. The Governor’s Hurricane Conference is the largest hurricane conference in the country and offers nearly 50 emergency preparedness and response trainings and workshops for 1,500 emergency managers and personnel, volunteer agencies, business and industry representatives. This week, the department is participating in Florida’s Statewide Hurricane Exercise in partnership with state agencies and local governments. These exercises help enhance and strengthen the state’s ability to support mission essential functions during all types of emergencies year round.

Here’s how you can prepare for the 2016 Hurricane Season:

• Determine the risks to your home, property or business;
• Develop or update an emergency evacuation plan and review the plan carefully with your family;
• Make sure you have adequate insurance by contacting your insurance company or agent;
• Assemble a disaster supply kit;
• Strengthen your home and complete any needed repairs;
• Identify your trusted sources of information for any severe weather event or hurricane. Credible and timely information is very important to taking the appropriate actions in the event of an emergency; and
• Complete a written hurricane plan and keep it in a safe, easily accessible location.

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

For more information on how you can prepare yourself and your family before, during and after a disaster, please visit the department’s Emergency Preparedness and Response webpage.

Help spread the word on social media about preparing for hurricanes using hashtag #FLGetAPlan, #HurricanePrep and #HurricaneStrong.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.