TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida’s Division of Emergency Management has officially opened its new State Emergency Operations Center, unveiling a 208,400-square-foot facility designed to expand the state’s capacity to manage disasters.
The new SEOC is more than twice the size of the previous facility. Nearly 200 people can work on the main floor when an emergency is activated, compared to roughly 80 in the old building.
Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie said the upgrade addresses longstanding limitations in how state agencies work together during emergencies.
“The new State Emergency Operations Center is a bold investment in Florida’s future,” Guthrie said. “This facility was designed not just for today’s challenges, but for the evolving threats of tomorrow. It strengthens our ability to unify partners at every level, harness innovation, and lead with speed and precision when disasters strike.”
The facility is structurally stronger than the previous building, with the SEOC wing built to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour — stronger than any hurricane on record. Three backup generators provide redundant power to ensure continuous operations during severe weather.
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The facility also features a 95-by-13-foot video wall capable of displaying multi-source live data feeds, weather monitoring, GIS mapping, and real-time incident tracking, as well as two loading docks accommodating 53-foot trailers to streamline resource distribution and deployment.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said he helped secure initial and subsequent funding for the project during his time as Senate president.
“Preparedness is one of the most important investments we can make for Florida’s future,” Simpson said. “This gives emergency managers the modern tools and space they need to protect lives and property across our state.”
The new SEOC is designed with scalability and operational continuity in mind, offering space for future expansion as Florida’s emergency response needs continue to evolve. The Florida Legislature approved funding for the facility during the 2021–2022 fiscal year.
The EOC serves as a coordination hub during hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and other emergencies. The new facility is located across the road from the previous building in a state office complex in Tallahassee.
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