Each year, June 1 marks the start of the hurricane season in the Atlantic. As Floridians, we know how devastating these storms can be and the devastation they cause to our communities. While hurricane preparedness may seem like something we can put off until the next one arrives, it’s best to be prepared long before storms arrive.
In Congress, I’m the senior Republican on the Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Subcommittee, the very Homeland Security subcommittee that oversees and oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency. that communities across the country are equipped with the necessary tools and resources to deal with any natural disaster. . Whether it’s a wildfire in California, a tornado in Oklahoma, or a hurricane in Florida, FEMA’s work in supporting U.S. disaster preparedness is essential.
Over the past six months, I have worked with the Director of FEMA, my colleagues, Subcommittee Chair Val Demings, the Florida Department of Emergency Management, and the 3rd Congressional District counties of Florida. Our goal continues to be more prepared than ever in this season and to meet all the funding, personnel and resource needs of our state and FEMA. It was around this time that I became even more passionate about making sure we are disaster prepared.
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Recently, I hosted a “FEMA 101” briefing with my fellow Republicans and Democrats across the country, sharing with them the resources available through FEMA and what their Congressional offices can do to prepare to reduce the damage caused by the storms. As someone who has been on response teams, I hope others can learn from my previous experiences. I hope to host more of these briefings in the coming months to make sure all congressional districts know what to do.
With that in mind, I write to remind North Central Floridians – and those across the Sunshine State – of some helpful tips as the hurricane season progresses. It’s better to have what you need and not need than to need what you don’t.
First of all, make sure you have the necessary supplies if you need to evacuate, or a power failure is delaying the return to normal life. A “go-bag” with a disaster supplies kit, including batteries, first aid supplies, medication, non-perishable food and copies of not-to-lose documents, should be well stocked and kept. level every year.
Make sure that the items included in your backpack have not expired and that the bag is kept in a place where all members of your household can access it. A family emergency communication plan should also accompany your backpack; know who to contact and how, especially if power outages disrupt Internet access.
Next, know your escape routes and have a plan for where you can stay if you need to leave your home. If you have relatives nearby, make contingency plans, and if you have elderly neighbors who may not have relatives within a relative driving distance, make sure they know where to go or where to go. they have people to watch them.
Preparing your home is also essential for weathering storms. Devastating winds from hurricanes can force trees and branches to fall, so take the time to prune or remove vulnerable debris. You should also secure loose gutters and clear clogged areas to prevent water damage. Portable or permanent generators are also useful – just make sure they’re at least 20 feet from windows and doors and protected from moisture. This is also a great time to review your home and tenant insurance policies.
I encourage all Floridians to download the FEMA and National Weather Service apps to receive real-time alerts on developing storms and their tracks. You can also sign up for community alerts with your local city or county and be aware of the emergency alert system and wireless emergency alert notifications that can be sent directly to your mobile devices.
For more helpful hurricane preparedness tips, you can visit the following websites: ready.gov/ouragans, fema.gov, www.noaa.gov and floridadisaster.org.
As always, if my office can be of use to your family, business, or county, contact us at cammack.house.gov or you can call us in Gainesville (352-505-0838) or Orange Park. (904-276-9626). It is an honor for me to be your voice in Congress – let’s face this hurricane season together.
U.S. Representative Kat Cammack R-Gainesville sits on the House of Commons Agriculture Committee and is the Senior Republican on Homeland Security Subcommittee for Case Preparedness, Response and Recovery emergency.
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