Gov. Scott Stresses No Time For Complacency As Hurricane Season Starts
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It's been 10 years since Florida has been hit by a hurricane.
But state emergency managers, including Gov. Rick Scott, say that is no excuse for Floridians to become complacent about the risk we face from a hurricane and the importance of a hurricane plan of action.
On the first day of hurricane season, Gov. Scott said the best time for Florida families to prepare for a hurricane is before it's heading our way in the infamous cone of uncertainty.
"The truth is we all have to be prepared early and you have to take this seriously. I hope we don't have a hurricane but you just don't know what's going to happen this year," he said.
The governor was at the Emergency Operations Center in Hialeah to assure emergency managers the state is investing in hurricane preparedness.
Scott said this year's state budget includes $19 million to pay for improvements to storm shelters, hurricane alert systems and emergency operations centers around the state.
"We really focused very much on making sure the emergency centers are all ready to go but we need people to have their plans for us to be successful in that effort," said Florida Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon.
State officials say every Florida family should know where they'll be if a hurricane hits.
Insurance policies and storm shutters should be checked now, everyone all should have hurricane supplies like flashlights and batteries and nonperishable food and water to last for three days.
If needed, the Florida National Guard will be at the ready to help out in the event of a major storm.
"We plan and we plan year round but a failure to plan is a plan for failure so we need your help to keep you safe and all the people in Florida safe going by having that plan."
In this age of cell phones and Wi-Fi, emergency managers say two old fashioned methods of communication may become essential if a hurricane hits: battery powered radios and land-line telephones.
- Click here for ways to prepare yourself for an impending storm from the CBSMiami.com Hurricane Preps page
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