On Tuesday, Sen. Rick Scott used a news conference at the National Hurricane Center in Miami to launch a statewide hurricane-preparedness tour, urging residents and visitors to lock in emergency plans before the Atlantic season opens on June 1. Flanked by the National Hurricane Center director and other officials, he pushed practical steps such as checking evacuation routes and packing a multi-day emergency kit, and reminded travelers that storms can blow up travel plans with little warning. The core message was blunt and repeated: prepare now, not after watches and warnings start flying.
Officials Press For Early Prep
Scott was joined in Miami by Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, as officials pressed Floridians and tourists to get ready well ahead of the season that runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The full news conference, recorded and posted online, shows officials walking through resources tailored to both longtime residents and short-term visitors, mixing straight talk with step-by-step guidance, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando.
NOAA Outlook And The "It Only Takes One" Risk
In May, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center projected a below-normal Atlantic season, calling for roughly 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. Forecasters pointed to a likely El Niño that should help suppress overall basin activity. Even so, NOAA warned that "it only takes one hurricane (or tropical storm) to cause a disaster," a reminder that a quieter season on paper does not guarantee anyone's safety. The forecast and its underlying analysis are detailed by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.
How Officials Want You To Prepare
The Florida Division of Emergency Management urges residents to know their evacuation zone, sign up for AlertFlorida, assemble a multi-day supplies kit and stash important documents and prescriptions in a waterproof container. Local officials also recommend having multiple ways to receive weather updates, reviewing insurance coverage in advance and keeping vehicles at least half full of gas before a storm is anywhere near the state. Scott's office and local partners have been echoing those same best practices and pointing people to related resources, as outlined by CBS Miami.
Tax Breaks Make Stocking Up Cheaper
To ease the financial hit of getting ready, Florida has made many disaster-preparedness items permanently tax-exempt beginning Aug. 1, 2025. The break covers items such as batteries, tarps, gas cans and certain portable generators, which officials say should make it easier to build and maintain an emergency kit throughout the year instead of waiting for a short sales tax holiday. A plain-language rundown of the policy and covered items is available from WLRN.
Scott's hurricane-preparedness tour is set to roll into additional cities around the state in the coming weeks, carrying the same refrain: preparation beats panic. And while NOAA's seasonal outlook shows lower storm numbers than in recent years, both federal forecasters and state emergency managers are warning against complacency and urging residents and visitors to lean on AlertFlorida, county emergency pages and National Hurricane Center advisories to stay informed and ready. For the latest seasonal forecast, see NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, and for planning checklists and tools, visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
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