Local

2024 hurricane season fewer than 100 days away; see how to prepare early

By Nikki DeMarco, WFTV.com

The 2024 hurricane season is less than 100 days away, here are ways to start preparing The 2024 hurricane season is less than 100 days away, here are ways to start preparing (donald_gruener/Getty Images)

By Nikki DeMarco, WFTV.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — We are officially less than 100 days until the start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Wednesday marked exactly 100 days until hurricane season and the Florida Division of Emergency Management is encouraging Floridians to begin home preparations for any potential storms.

“With just over 3 months until the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season begins, I encourage all Floridians to take this time to review their preparedness plans as well as take any actions to mitigate the impact a future storm could have on their homes and businesses,” said Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “The best time to prepare was yesterday, but the second-best time is now. Use these next 100 days to stock your disaster supply kits and make sure you and your loved ones are ready for the season to come.”

Photos: A massive aquarium officially opens in Daytona Beach

Image 1 of 119

Hurricane Idalia TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: A person rides a kayak through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and runs through November 30, with the historical peak of the season beginning in September.

According to a news release, Florida holds the record for both the earliest landfalling hurricane and the latest landfalling hurricane in the United States.

Read: Orange-Osceola State Attorney works to address human trafficking concerns in Central Florida

Here are some ways you can prepare for hurricane season:

Make a Plan – Every household should have a disaster plan that is specific to the needs of everyone in their household, including children, pets, and seniors. Every member of the household should assist in developing the emergency plan, understanding the plan, and practicing the plan.

Know Your Zone, Know Your Home – It’s important for residents to know if their home is in an evacuation zone, a low-lying, flood-prone area, a manufactured home or an unsafe structure during hurricane season. Residents should also take the time to know their home and its ability to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. This information will help residents better understand orders from local officials during a storm. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know for more information and to find your zone.

Have Multiple Ways to Receive Weather Alerts – Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and follow all orders from local officials. Every household is encouraged to have a battery-operated or hand-crank weather radio to ensure they can continue to receive alerts from the National Weather Service in the event of power outages or damaged cell towers.

Harden Your Home and Surrounding Area – Take the time now to see if there are any necessary repairs your home may need to make it more resilient against storm damage. This could mean investing in hurricane windows, repairing gutters and investing in landscaping that prevents debris caused by severe weather.

Update Your Disaster Supply Kit – A disaster supply kit is essential to making sure you and your family are not without lifesaving supplies during a disaster. A good kit should have enough food, water and medicine to last each member of a household (including pets) for seven days. For a checklist on recommended supplies visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit.

Read: Peek inside the Space Coast vaccine lab working to create humanity’s moonshot

Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide where residents and visitors can find a helpful guide on Hurricane Preparedness.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Image 1 of 55

New Smyrna Beach to share recovery plan on storm damage, beach erosion from Hurricane Nicole

Image 1 of 232

Orlo Vista flooding After years of complaints about flooding issues in the Orlo Vista, the damage done by Hurricane Ian’s rains is the final straw. (WFTV.com News Staff)

Image 1 of 41

It’s been a month and Puerto Rico still needs your help — where to donate your money, how to volunteer and more PUERTO RICO - OCTOBER 18: Destroyed buildings are viewed from the air during recovery efforts four weeks after Hurricane Maria struck on October 18, 2017 in-flight over Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is suffering shortages of food and water in areas with only 19.10 percent of grid electricity restored. Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, swept through. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama)


©2024 Cox Media Group

Most Read