Even with El Niño potentially limiting activity, preparation remains the best defense against severe weather.
While El Niño conditions can sometimes reduce Atlantic hurricane activity by increasing wind shear and NOAA’s National Weather Service predicts a below-normal hurricane season this year, officials say that’s no reason for Floridians to become complacent. After all, longtime residents know that it only takes one storm to change everything.
As hurricane season gets underway, Plant City leaders are encouraging residents to take proactive steps to prepare their families, homes, and businesses for potential impacts. Residents are encouraged to follow Florida’s Five Steps to Hurricane Preparedness:
• Know Your Home, Know Your Zone – Residents should understand the specific risks their property may face during a hurricane, including flooding, wind damage and power outages. Knowing whether you live in an evacuation zone can help you act quickly if local officials issue evacuation orders. Residents are encouraged to review flood maps, assess their property’s vulnerabilities, and stay informed about local emergency management resources.
• Make a Plan – Find out whether your home is located in an evacuation or flood zone before a storm threatens. Review your insurance policies to understand what is and isn’t covered (this reporter found out the hard way that her attached lanai was not covered under her homeowners policy when Hurricane Milton crumpled it like an aluminum soda can crushed beneath a boot), and take photos of your property and valuables for documentation purposes. Residents should also identify nearby shelters and sign up for local emergency alerts.
• Build a Kit – Stock enough food, water and supplies to last at least seven days. Emergency managers recommend one gallon of water per person, per day, along with nonperishable food, prescription medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, portable phone chargers, cash and copies of important documents. Don’t forget supplies for pets, infants or family members with special medical needs.
• Halfway Full is Halfway There – Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full throughout hurricane season and fully fueled when a storm enters the forecast. Check tire pressure, windshield wipers, and battery condition, and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes water, snacks, phone chargers, and a flashlight.
• Evacuate Tens of Miles, Not Hundreds – If local officials issue an evacuation order, leave early and follow recommended routes. In most cases, residents only need to travel far enough to get out of the evacuation zone or away from flood-prone areas. Staying with friends, family or at a nearby shelter can often be safer and more practical than attempting long-distance travel during a major evacuation.
Emergency management officials stress that preparation doesn’t have to happen all at once. Taking small steps now, such as reviewing insurance policies, checking emergency supplies and identifying potential hazards around the home, can help residents avoid last-minute rushes if a storm develops. Early preparation also gives families more time to make informed decisions should watches, warnings or evacuation orders be issued.
“We encourage residents and businesses to prepare now by reviewing their emergency plans, securing outdoor items, gathering basic supplies and staying informed through trusted weather and emergency management sources,” said Plant City City Manager Bill McDaniel. “Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and taking steps today can make a significant difference when a storm threatens our area.”
For many in Plant City, hurricane preparation is simply part of life in Florida. From trimming tree limbs to stocking up on water, batteries and nonperishable food, residents know the importance of being ready long before watches and warnings are issued.
City staff have already begun seasonal preparations by inspecting critical infrastructure, maintaining stormwater systems and coordinating across departments to ensure it’s ready if severe weather impacts the city. “Our focus is on protecting public safety and maintaining essential services before, during and after a storm,” said McDaniel.
Plant City’s location in the heart of Hillsborough County doesn’t make it immune to hurricane impacts. While coastal communities often face the greatest storm surge threats, inland areas can experience significant flooding, damaging winds, fallen trees and extended power outages.
The National Hurricane Center notes that forecasts can change throughout the season, and emergency managers stress that residents should pay attention to local updates rather than focusing solely on the number of storms predicted.
As temperatures climb and summer settles into Central Florida, city leaders hope residents will use the early weeks of hurricane season to get ready.
Florida’s hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with peak activity occurring during August, September and October, when ocean temperatures are at their warmest and conditions most favorable for tropical development. While forecasts can provide a general outlook for the season, emergency management officials emphasize that hurricanes and tropical storms can form at any time during the six-month period, making preparedness an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time break.
For additional hurricane preparedness resources, evacuation information, and safety tips, visit plantcitygov.com or FloridaDisaster.org.
