A bucket full of essentials could be helpful during a storm

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer

A white five-gallon bucket sat atop a desk, as government officials dropped some storm-preparedness essentials inside of it.

Things like medication, batteries, water, non-perishable items and personal documents were on the list. What looked like show-and-tell was a much more serious matter.

The government entities were inside the Leon County Public Safety Complex delivering a message about the importance of being prepared for an approaching hurricane. It’s a message that they bring at the start of every hurricane season, but one that has to be told, said Kevin Peters, Leon County Director of Emergency Management.

“A disaster doesn’t wait for you and your family to develop a plan before it strikes,” Peters said. “You need to be ready before a disaster occurs. Make sure you and your family have a plan.”

In addition to packing a bucket with the essentials, residents should also know evacuation routes and shelter locations. Peters also said that an app that’s available on the county’s hurricane preparedness site (www.leonready.com) could also be a useful resource.

The six-month hurricane season began on June 1. However, getting the preparedness message out will be ongoing. The County will host a disaster resilience edition of its Citizen Engagement Series on June 22, starting at 6 p.m. in the Public Safety Complex. 

This is an event that will feature hands-on activities and demonstrations. 

Additionally, the public is encouraged to participate in  the Neighborhood Readiness Trainings by signing up online. Since initiation of the program more than 1,000 residents have been trained.

Putting on year-round events that promote hurricane preparedness is one way of making sure that residents stay abreast of how severe a storm could be, Peters said.

“What we are hoping for it that this reminds folks that this is serious and you need to take the time to be prepared and not be complacent,” he said. “Also this part of Florida has seen a lot of growth and we want new people to the state to have that level of awareness of how hazardous a hurricane can be.”

The year’s hurricane season will be near-normal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Predictions call for about 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, three of them major.

“It’s very important for us to keep the drumbeat going and to come here every year and remind people the importance of being prepared,” said Mark Wool, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.

The City of Tallahassee government also has an ongoing preparedness program, said Mayor John Dailey. 

“We are ready to engage, heaven forbids we have a storm event that comes our way,” Dailey said, suggesting that neighborhoods develop a hurricane plan.

“Take care of yourself, take care of you family, take care of your neighbor, take care of your neighborhoods,” Dailey said. “That’s what makes Tallahassee so special; our citizens and our neighborhoods.”

County Commissioner Carolyn Cummings echoed the mayor’s sentiments, adding that she’s seen how preparation makes a difference.

“We have built a resilient community that strives in times of disaster,” Cummings said. “It’s because we work together. We help each other and we rebuild together.”

Children and pets should be considered in each family’s preparation plan, Peters said. Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna went a step further.

He showed a coloring book that the school district has published to help children grasp the preparation concept. Hurricanes could have a traumatic impact on children, Hanna said, especially those who aren’t educated about the dangers of storms.

Telling children about the dangers at an early age is important, Hanna said.

 “That way they can carry it with them the rest of their lives,” he said. “Families need to have a plan. A lot of families live in homes that can withstand high force winds but a lot of people don’t.”