OKALOOSA CO, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – U.S. Senator Rick Scott stopped in Destin to kick off his hurricane preparedness tour around Florida alongside other state and local leaders.
Every hurricane season, officials urge Floridians to prepare early. But the message wasn’t just about stocking up on water or batteries. Leaders say the biggest challenge may be making sure people don’t get too comfortable after years of storms.
“People get complacent, and how many people wanna spend their time getting ready for a hurricane, or getting ready for anything. They just don’t wanna do this; it’s more fun to go to the beach. But you have to remind them of how bad it is if you don’t prepare,” Scott said.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November, and leaders say the time to prepare is now.
“We should lose nobody in a hurricane. Nobody should get lost in a storm. If everybody would just listen to local officials and local news, they’ll know when to evacuate,” Scott said.
Florida knows the aftermath of disaster all too well, and forecasters say this season could bring more. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts between 3 and 6 hurricanes.
“If you don’t get prepared, there is nothing law enforcement or the fire department can do for you,” Scott said.
Destin Fire Chief Kevin Sasser said residents who choose to stay during a storm need a plan and a kit of water, food, and medication. He also said to have a plan in place for your pets.
“We would ask that if you stay, and you don’t evacuate, make sure that you can survive for seven days, you have a kit for that,” Sasser said.
Congressman Jimmy Patronis highlighted the importance of taking photos and videos of everything you own now to speed up insurance claims if a disaster happens.
“Right now, the Florida insurance market is in the best condition that I have seen in my nine years as CFO of the state of Florida. The market is very competitive,” Patronis said.
A vital safety rule for hurricanes and coastal storms: run from water, hide from the wind.
“Because here’s the deal, you can always rebuild that house, you can rebuild your business, it might be a pain in the butt, but you can’t rebuild your life,” Scott said.
Officials say preparation doesn’t start when a storm enters the Gulf. It starts right now. Make a plan, start your kit, film your property, and you’ll be ready.
Both Senator Scott and Congressman Patronis say they are trying to reduce the cost of flood insurance and are working to build a disaster budget for this season.
Okaloosa County has a disaster guide here.
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