Lake County Emergency Management urges residents to prepare for a busy hurricane season
TAVARES — Officials predict an above average hurricane season this year, and Lake County Emergency Management officials are reminding residents to take steps now to help keep their families safe during severe weather.
The National Hurricane Center forecasts between 11 and 17 named Atlantic storms and five to nine hurricanes, with four being major, developing from June through November.
“This year’s hurricane activity is expected to be higher than usual, and we urge families and businesses to prepare as if a major hurricane were to make landfall locally,” said Tommy Carpenter, Lake County’s Emergency Management Division Manager. “It only takes one major storm in Central Florida to create a potentially dangerous situation and preparedness is key in protecting life and property.”
In Lake County, hurricane hazards may include heavy rainfall, high winds, inland flooding and tornadoes. Some hazards may come with little to no warning.
Residents are encouraged to develop a family communication plan, decide on a meeting location during an emergency, and prepare a disaster go-kit to include important personal, medical and legal documents.
To be notified quickly of weather emergencies, residents should purchase a battery-powered NOAA weather radio and sign up to receive local text alerts. Lake County’s AlertLake emergency alert system allows people to be notified about weather or other emergency incidents. Through AlertLake, the county may contact thousands of citizens within seconds so they can receive important life-safety information. Signing up is quick, easy and secure at alertlake.com.
For more information about Emergency Management, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/emergency and follow Emergency Management on Facebook or Twitter.