PANAMA CITY — Despite a below average hurricane season forecast, preparation should remain high on the list of priorities for local residents, officials said.
Jana Sweeny, American Red Cross spokeswoman, said predictions don’t matter; be prepared.
“Even when the predictions are below average, it doesn’t matter when the storm is coming toward your community,” Sweeny said. “It’s your family, it’s your community, and it’s your house.”
Every year for over a decade, Bay has dodged the ugliest part of hurricanes and tropical storms, but she said it remains important not to let your guard down.
“We strongly recommend people to take two major steps: have your emergency kit ready and have your evacuation plan ready and listen to your authorities,” she said.
CLICK FOR THE NEWS HERALD HURRICANE PAGE
Android and iPhone app Hurricane by American Red Cross tracks hurricanes, sends federal weather alerts, lists Red Cross shelter locations, includes a flashlight and a one-touch “I’m safe” message that posts to social media outlets. Download it at redcross.org
According to a 2013 survey by the Red Cross and The Weather Channel, about 58 percent of individuals surveyed felt they live in hurricane prone areas; however, about a third of the surveyed didn’t have an evacuation plan or emergency kit.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE
With the start of tax-free hurricane preparedness holiday, which ends June 8, hurricane safety items are at the front of 23rd Street’s Home Depot.
The store’s $100 “grab-n-go” kit is filled with basic items useful in a hurricane situation, such as, industrial-size flashlight, batteries, tape, tarps, gloves and a first aid kit. Items are contained inside a multi-gallon bright orange hard plastic bucket.
“A lot of people have not been through it,” said Ron Butler, assistant store manager. But, “There’s no such thing as over prepared. Once the storm hits, you can’t prepare afterwards.”
Construction worker and Lynn Haven resident Adam Beach, 38, said his family leaves town if a weather event threatens the area.
“Generally, it’s quiet; but … weather patterns change,” he said. “These last two rainstorms were bad. I feel bad for the people who keep getting flooding out in Lynn Haven.”
His family does basic preparedness, he said, stocking up on nonperishable foods and then buying a week of food and rotating it out.
“Be prepared,” he said. “Because you never know … .”