Floridians urged to get ready for hurricanes, DeSantis declares ‘Hurricane Preparedness Week’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis declared this week as “Hurricane Preparedness Week,” highlighting the need for Floridians to get ready early.

The state has been witness to deadly, massive and destructive storms in both the 2023 and 2022 Atlantic hurricane seasons: Idalia and Ian, respectively.

Residents are urged to keep their gas tanks at least half-full throughout hurricane season, all the way to Nov. 30.

DeSantis also called on Floridians to create individualized plans and fill their disaster stock supply. View more on creating a supply kit here.

Floridians are additionally called on to check their evacuation zones. View more tips from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

In both 2022 and 2023, while Florida promptly responded with the full might of its emergency resources, linemen, support and other vital personnel, massive damage was still caused and lives were still lost.

“The State of Florida is a national leader in the field of emergency management and remains committed to ensuring Floridians are able to prepare for, recover from, and mitigate against all disasters impacting our state,” DeSantis’ declaration states.

The governor noted that the 2024 season is the 20th anniversary of the notorious 2004 season, where Florida bore the brunt of four landfall storms with Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.

Disaster preparedness holidays begin June 1 and Aug. 24, assuming DeSantis approves them in this year’s tax package.

Under one month out from hurricane season: landfall hotspots

Predicted hurricane landfall hotspots include the Florida coastline running all throughout the Gulf from Louisiana, down to Miami, and a bit north of Palm Beach on the state’s eastern coast. This includes cities like Tampa, Sarasota, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples and Miami.

Meteorologist Eric Burris of southwest Florida station NBC 2 predicts 16-20 name storms, more than the average of 14; seven of these are predicted to be hurricanes, and three “major” hurricanes, or those marked Category 3 or stronger.

Major forecasters, including from AccuWeather and Colorado State University have warned of a hyperactive hurricane season, as 2024 is set to be a “La Niña period,” more favorable for Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf activity.

View the National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Weather Outlook for the most official information on any tropical system or forecast.