Governor, Adjutant General, focus on start of 2012 Hurricane Season

Written by Contributor // June 4, 2012 // Recent News

Florida Governor Rick Scott (center), Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) Director Bryan W. Koon (right) and Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw Jr. meet with Home Depot employees in Miami on June 1, as part of an effort to focus on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew and preparedness for 2012 hurricane season. Courtesy photo

Kick-off events highlight importance of preparedness for Floridians

MIAMI (June 4, 2011) – Florida Governor Rick Scott, Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) Director Bryan W. Koon and Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw Jr. kicked-off the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season last week with events focused on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew and preparedness for hurricane season.

“Even though hurricane season officially begins today, two tropical systems before the start of the season demonstrate how important preparedness is to every one of Florida’s citizens and businesses,” said DEM Director Bryan W. Koon on June 1. “Preparing for the worst before a storm is essential in mitigating the damaging impacts of a potential tropical storm or hurricane.”

Gov. Rick Scott and the Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Emmett Titshaw talk to reporters in Miami, June 1, during events focused on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew and preparedness for hurricane season. Courtesy photo

To emphasize the need for Florida’s residents and visitors to be as prepared as possible for the start of hurricane season, Governor Scott built his own disaster supply kit at a local Home Depot store in Miami. All disaster supply kit items purchased will be donated to a member of the Claude and Mildred Pepper Senior Center. Preparing for the upcoming hurricane season should be a priority for everyone in the State of Florida, including families and businesses. Being prepared to take care of your family for at least 72 hours after a disaster allows emergency responders to focus on restoring essential services and helping vulnerable populations. Useful information on hurricane preparedness can be found at www.FloridaDisaster.org. The website includes information on preparing a disaster supply kit and local emergency management information. Kids can visit www.KidsGetAPlan.org to build their own disaster supply kit and play games to learn about weather and how to prepare for disasters.

Governor Scott, Director Koon and Maj. Gen. Titshaw also traveled to the Southland Mall in Miami (formerly Cutler Ridge Mall), which was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, to discuss the impacts Category Five Hurricane Andrew had on South Florida. Hurricane Andrew left a path of destruction miles wide. When the Category 5 storm hit South Florida, 15 people were killed, and more than 150,000 were left homeless. Hurricane Andrew was the wake-up call to all Floridians that early preparation can reduce the impact after a storm.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 – November 30. To GET A PLAN!, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org. For the latest information on the 2012 Hurricane Season, follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/flsert and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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