Leading up to the beginning of hurricane season (June 1-November 30), National Hurricane Preparedness Week is intended to raise our general awareness of how important it is to be fully prepared, should a hurricane hit. Although the most recent hurricane seasons here in Jacksonville have been fairly mild, it’s always smart to be prepared, to devise a plan, and to assemble the necessary supplies in case of an emergency. You don’t want to be that last-minute person trying to stock up on water and supplies, only to find that all the shelves are empty. To help you prepare, Florida’s 9-day sales-tax holiday for hurricane preparedness supplies kicks off today, Saturday, May 31, and runs through Sunday, June 8. Visit the Florida Department of Revenue for a complete list of tax-exempt items. In case a hurricane threatens to strike in our area, check out these local resources for helpful information:
- WJXT’s Hurricane Tracker App: This interactive tracking app gives you up-to-date info and alerts.
- WJXT’s Hurricane 2014 Survival Guide: This guide includes all the info you need to prepare for a storm, including a supply and first aid kit checklist, tips from the Red Cross, evacuation routes, and more!
- Duval County Emergency Management’s Jax Ready Emergency Survival Guide and Jax Ready’s Facebook page gives news and updates, and you can download the Jax Ready App.
Other Resources:
- NOAA Preparedness Guide
- Ready: resources for kids and parents to be prepared in case of a disaster. It includes games for kids and teaches parents to help children cope during and after a disaster.
- Young Meteorologist Program: This one is fun for the kids–Owlie takes them on a “Severe Weather Preparedness Adventure” and upon completion of the game, they will earn a Young Meteorologist Certificate.
Growing up in New Orleans and Houston, I have personally experienced many tropical storms and hurricanes, and I’m glad my weather-nerd mom was always alert to the possibility of meteorological disaster. Let’s just say that I know first-hand the importance of being full prepared for such an eventuality!
