\n\t\t\t\t\t\tState and local officials are ramping up preparations as hurricane season unfolds, reminding residents that no matter the season\u2019s forecast, it only takes a single storm to be life-altering.HURRICANE SUPPLIES | SURVIVAL GUIDE | WESH LONG-RANGE FORECAST | WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT INSURANCE | GENERATOR SETUP | TESTING CHAINSAWSFlorida is uniquely vulnerable, absorbing nearly 40% of all U.S. hurricanes \u2014 more than any other state. With the population surging by 7 million since 2000, the demand for updated and expanded emergency infrastructure has never been greater.In Flagler County, officials are already ahead of the curve. A new permanent shelter at the county fairgrounds is now open \u2014 purpose-built to serve a community with a large and growing population of older residents. For Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord, it signals a broader shift in how the state approaches disaster housing.”I know statewide they’re looking to try to find other opportunities like this to build facilities that can serve as shelters in other communities,” Lord said, “that we’re not so reliant just on public schools.” The state’s response capability, however, extends well beyond any single county. In Auburndale \u2014 sitting squarely off Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando \u2014 the new Florida Central Operations Coordination Office serves as the backbone of storm response. The warehouse spans 423,000 square feet and currently holds 3.5 million gallons of water and 2 million shelf-stable meals, positioned for rapid deployment anywhere in the state.Officials are clear that the facility doesn’t stand down when a storm makes landfall. “Just because the winds are howling and the waves are crashing doesn’t mean that this facility stops,” said Kevin Guthrie the executive director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management.Still, he emphasizes that no amount of state investment replaces individual preparedness. Residents are urged to know their evacuation zone, establish a household emergency plan, and maintain a supply kit \u2014 enough food, water, medication, and battery-powered communication for five to seven days.Florida has permanently eliminated sales tax on hurricane supplies, including generators, tarps, batteries, and shelf-stable food, with no seasonal deadline.The message is clear: “We’re ready. You can see it in this warehouse. We need you to be ready.” The infrastructure is in place. The question now is whether Floridians will meet it halfway.Tracking the Tropics Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts. The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Marquise Meda, Cam Tran and Victoria Wisniewski.>> 2026 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
State and local officials are ramping up preparations as hurricane season unfolds, reminding residents that no matter the season\u2019s forecast, it only takes a single storm to be life-altering.<\/p>\n
HURRICANE SUPPLIES<\/a> | SURVIVAL GUIDE<\/a> | WESH LONG-RANGE FORECAST<\/a> | WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT INSURANCE<\/a> | GENERATOR SETUP<\/a> | TESTING CHAINSAWS<\/a><\/p>\n Florida is uniquely vulnerable, absorbing nearly 40% of all U.S. hurricanes \u2014 more than any other state. With the population surging by 7 million since 2000, the demand for updated and expanded emergency infrastructure has never been greater.<\/p>\n In Flagler County, officials are already ahead of the curve. A new permanent shelter at the county fairgrounds is now open \u2014 purpose-built to serve a community with a large and growing population of older residents. <\/p>\n For Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord, it signals a broader shift in how the state approaches disaster housing.<\/p>\n “I know statewide they’re looking to try to find other opportunities like this to build facilities that can serve as shelters in other communities,” Lord said, “that we’re not so reliant just on public schools.” <\/p>\n The state’s response capability, however, extends well beyond any single county. In Auburndale \u2014 sitting squarely off Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando \u2014 the new Florida Central Operations Coordination Office serves as the backbone of storm response. <\/p>\n The warehouse spans 423,000 square feet and currently holds 3.5 million gallons of water and 2 million shelf-stable meals, positioned for rapid deployment anywhere in the state.<\/p>\n Officials are clear that the facility doesn’t stand down when a storm makes landfall. <\/p>\n “Just because the winds are howling and the waves are crashing doesn’t mean that this facility stops,” said Kevin Guthrie the executive director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management.<\/p>\n Still, he emphasizes that no amount of state investment replaces individual preparedness. Residents are urged to know their evacuation zone, establish a household emergency plan, and maintain a supply kit \u2014 enough food, water, medication, and battery-powered communication for five to seven days.<\/p>\n Florida has permanently eliminated sales tax on hurricane supplies, including generators, tarps, batteries, and shelf-stable food, with no seasonal deadline.<\/p>\n The message is clear: “We’re ready. You can see it in this warehouse. We need you to be ready.” <\/p>\n The infrastructure is in place. The question now is whether Floridians will meet it halfway.<\/p>\n Tracking the Tropics <\/p>\n Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.<\/p>\n Download the WESH 2 News app<\/a> to get the most up-to-date weather alerts. <\/p>\n The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi<\/a>, Eric Burris<\/a>, Marquise Meda<\/a>, Cam Tran<\/a> and Victoria Wisniewski<\/a>.<\/p>\n >> 2026 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast<\/a><\/p>\n