Hurricane Season: If you don’t prepare, you prepare to fail

12 essential things to have ready for hurricane season

In case the heat and humidity were unclear, summer is just around the corner. Long days and warm temperatures are fun, but they also signal the start of hurricane season in the southeastern United States.

Even if there hasn’t been a major storm this season, it’s time to prepare in advance for a potential disaster.

With a team of experienced emergency managers who know that prevention is key to recovery, ISF has once again partnered with local food bank Second Harvest of the Big Bend to distribute disaster relief starter kits in the Big Bend area.

In addition to fresh food, 100 families have been able to access some of the critical resources they need in the event of a disaster; and each participating family received a free Disaster Response Checklist and Disaster Implementation Plan.

Seemingly every year the United States experiences a hurricane that significantly impacts our way of life for days or weeks, and 2022 is expected to continue that trend. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is forecasting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season due to rising water temperatures and the ongoing LaNina. With an estimated total of more than 20 possible storms this season, we can’t afford to sit back and wait.

At ISF, we invest in the health and prosperity of our communities. With that in mind, we’ve created free helpful resources to ensure everyone is prepared for disasters. In a storm, hesitation can be expensive. With our free on-call plan, questions like evacuation routes, nearest emergency shelters, and out-of-town contact information are readily available.

As hurricane season intensifies, be sure to keep stocking up on your preparedness packs with useful items and go over your preparedness plans with loved ones to ensure everyone is on the same page. Consult state and local government channels as storms approach.

Our friends at the State Department of Emergency Management and on the ground here in Leon County are doing a great job making sure our neighbors are safe. But we must take responsibility for our own preparation. Take these storms seriously and don’t wait for things to pass.

Debris from homes, tree branches and boats were scattered in Mexico Beach on October 15, 2018.  Hurricane Michael swept through the Florida Panhandle on October 10, 2018.

We have seen the devastation caused when a major disaster strikes an unprepared community. We are committed to keeping our communities safe during hurricane season and beyond. So visit our website isf.com and download your free disaster resources today.

Jonathan Conrad

Jonathan Conrad is President of ISF, Inc., an information technology and business strategy firm based in Tallahassee, FL. Visit isf.com for more information.

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