Latest news with #preparedness
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
MDOT advises prepping for 2025 Hurricane Season
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season will run from June 1 to November 30. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reminding residents, businesses and community organizations across South Mississippi to have a preparedness plan in place before a storm threatens the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 'Now is an ideal time to prepare for the 2025 Hurricane Season, before we see a lot of activity in the tropics,' said Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District. 'With the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina coming up this year, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of disaster planning and educating yourself on how to evacuate if needed.' NOAA predicts above average 2025 hurricane season: How many storms US could see The 2025 MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide features information such as evacuation routes and tips, contraflow information, radio coverage areas through Mississippi Public Broadcasting and important contact information for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and bordering state DOTs and highway patrols. Information on shelters, pet care, lodging and travel resources is also included. You can download the guide at or order free printed copies at Guides are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. If a hurricane forces an evacuation along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, evacuation routes will likely see a sudden increase in traffic volume. MDOT officials said drivers should have a plan and allow ample time to get to their destination safely. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
June 1 marks the start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The City of Panama City announced that the Atlantic Hurricane Season starts from June 1 and runs through November 30. Now is the time to prepare. Living along the Gulf Coast means staying hurricane-ready is a must. Here are some quick tips: Stay informed with alerts Find your evacuation zone Create an evacuation plan Pack an emergency kit Understand watches vs. warnings Strengthen your home Know what to do after the storm According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), they predict an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Officials advise not to wait for a storm to form. Be ready to act. To learn about evacuation zones, click here To learn about how to prepare for a hurricane, click here For NOAA, click here Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
ICYMI: Storm Watch 2025
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Storm Team 3's Storm Watch 2025 has valuable information to keep you, your family and your property safe when severe weather strikes. If you missed it when it aired, you can watch it anytime. And download Storm Team 3's hurricane guide. It's a valuable tool in your hurricane preparedness plan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
What is the difference between a storm "watch" and "warning," understanding your evacuation zones
When a watch or warning is issued during hurricane season, you need to know the difference, regardless of what the threat or hazard is. Storm watch vs. storm warning A "watch" is issued when storm conditions are possible in the next 72 hours. When a watch is issued, you should be prepared and be alert, since conditions are favorable for dangerous weather within that time frame. A "warning" is when conditions are imminent, within 36 hours, or are happening. A warning means you need to take action. If a tropical storm warning is issued, you will want to lower and secure umbrellas, bring cushions indoors, and secure light outdoor furniture. If a hurricane warning is issued, you'll need to take immediate action to secure your home, bring in outdoor furniture and install hurricane shutters. Everyone needs to know their evacuation zones Everyone is strongly encouraged to heed the advice of local officials when watches and warnings are issued, especially when it comes to what preparedness actions need to be taken, and if/when evacuation orders are issued. After a warning is issued, you may be ordered to evacuate. So you need to know your zone. Here in South Florida, every county is different. Broward County Broward County has two evacuation zones. The evacuation order depends on the severity of the storm. Evacuation Plan A in red is for a category one or two hurricane with a storm surge of 4-7 feet above sea level. All mobile home residents, residents near tidal bodies of water, in low-lying areas and residents east of the Intracoastal Waterway should evacuate. Evacuation Plan B in orange is for category 3 hurricanes or higher due to the threat of storm surge of 7-11 feet above sea level and winds of 111 miles per hour or greater. Both of these zones impact mostly the coastal cities in Broward, including places like Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach. Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade County is split into five evacuation zones, marked A through E. Zone A, shaded in red, is at greatest risk for storm surge for category 1 and higher storms. Zone A includes portions of Cutler Bay, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne and areas around Biscayne National Park. Zone B, shaded in orange, is at risk for storm surge for category 2 and higher storms. This includes southern Miami-Dade County, portions of Cutler Bay, Miami and Miami Beach. Zone C in yellow is at risk for storm surge for category 3 and higher. That's the remaining portions of Homestead and Cutler Bay you see here — into Pinecrest and Coral Gables, as well as North Bay Village. Zone D in green is for areas at greatest risk for hurricane category 4 and higher. This zone encompasses neighborhoods like Kendall, the Hammocks, Palmetto Estates, as well as portions of Hialeah and Aventura. And Zone E, shaded in blue, is at risk for category 5 and higher. Zone E includes the Western areas of Miami-Dade County, including portions of the Hammocks into Sweetwater and eastern sections of Doral. Monroe County and the Florida Keys All of the Florida Keys are in an evacuation zone, and Monroe County's emergency plan calls for a "phased evacuation" as all of the Keys are in a storm surge danger zone, and evacuation decisions there are typically made in relation to timing as well as areas more likely to be impacted. This evacuation plan is intended to avoid unnecessary evacuation if some zones are expected to be affected and others are not. It is crucial to listen to local authorities because the storm intensity and track will determine where evacuation orders will be issued. Usually in the Keys, tourists are asked to evacuate first, and then local residents. What to do in case of an evacuation Everyone should develop an evacuation plan. Always be prepared to go and have a to-go kit for each family member. Have a disaster plan and stay informed through media. Go when you are told to go, leave early and keep your gas tank full. Stay with family or friends inland in a non-evacuation zone. Shelters should be the last resort. You will find more information regarding evacuation zones on the Florida Division of Emergency Management website below: The Evacuation Zones/Storm Surge Planning Zones for each county can be found on the respective county websites:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
We have to be prepared for FEMA not showing up.': Seminole County braces for hurricane season
It was an all-hands-on-deck kind of day on Friday at the Emergency Management Office in Seminole County. Officials and first response teams were doing what they tell residents to do every year ahead of hurricane season: be prepared. 'Once the storm is already here, is too late. We see the rushes at the grocery stores, gas stations,' said Chief Imeson, Seminole County Fire Department. 'We are making the best of our assets, identifying areas we can improve upon. Working on communication for a very large-scale incident.' The men and women who will take action when a storm hits gathered for the training - they all came to the emergency operations center on Friday for a crucial exercise. From law enforcement to the fire department, to solid waste, they used the experience from previous storms to prepare for what's next. 'This gives us an opportunity to run through like it's a real event and we are cutting all of the kinks and will be ready for when a real storm hits,' said Oliver Bond, Solid Waste Division manager. Volunteers called the office about all sorts of real-life issues during hurricanes - from requesting shelter for special needs children, to support with hurricane kits, to even requesting emergency services for non-English speakers. 'We have anything from hazmat calls, hazmat releases from trucks being flipped over we've had interesting calls with kids playing in waterways and water rescues,' Chief Imeson said. Channel 9 learned Seminole County had requested 300 thousand dollars from FEMA to help with generators for emergency operations. The money was denied due to the recent budget cuts. 'We just have to be prepared for FEMA not showing up,' said Alan Harris, Emergency Manager in Seminole County, when he was asked about the budget cuts impacting the emergency response ahead of the hurricane season. 'This is a different kind of year because usually with disaster relief centers, we may be responsible for that now.' County officials said they have partnerships with other counties for first response, which means the training keeps Seminole County safe and all communities across Central Florida. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
