Florida’s top emergency manager told reporters Monday he’s concerned that the absence of severe storms in recent years may be lulling Floridians into a false sense of security as the 2011 hurricane season approaches.
Bryan Koon, the director of the Division of Emergency Management, said he’s confident Florida’s emergency response network is up to the task, but worries that residents are not.
“The concern I would have is that since we’ve gone five seasons without a land-falling hurricane, we’ve got citizens who, perhaps, have forgotten some of what that experience in 2004/2005 was like,” Koon said. “We also have new Floridians who have not, perhaps, dealt with hurricanes before.”
Meanwhile, Governor Rick Scott proclaimed May 22-28, 2011 as Florida Hurricane Preparedness Week, urging all Floridians to take the necessary measures this week to prepare for the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season which begins June 1.
“Though our state has avoided a land-falling hurricane for the last five years, now is not the time to become complacent,” said Governor Scott. “I encourage everyone to take the opportunity during this important week to prepare their homes, families and businesses for what could be an active season.”
Various preparedness events will take place throughout the state this week and residents should consult their local emergency management agency to find out about events in their area. This year, the Week occurs during the annual Statewide Hurricane Exercise, an important training event held by Florida’s local, state and federal responders to prepare for a potential hurricane this season.
If you already have a family and business disaster plan and supply kit, now is the time to review, recycle and restock for 2011. Florida Hurricane Preparedness Week is held in tandem with National Hurricane Preparedness Week. For more information, go to: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/prepared_week.shtml.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 – November 30.
For more information on the Florida Division of Emergency Management and to GET A PLAN!, please visit: www.FloridaDisaster.org. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/flsert and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.
