Hurricane Preparedness Week has government agencies, utility companies urging need for response plans

Image via AP.

The hurricane season officially began May 1. Now, Hurricane Preparedness Week is underway, urging Americans to get ready for deadly storms.

For Florida, it’s a stark reminder of a brutal 2024 hurricane season when three of the tropical blasts hit the state, closing schools, evacuating millions of people and causing billions of dollars in damage for counties on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

“Hurricanes, storm surges, and flooding can wash away homes and properties, but the greatest threat is the loss of life, making readiness paramount. Those living in at-risk areas should have a family evacuation plan and a supply of non-perishable food, water, medicine, batteries, and other essential items,” a White House announcement said.

Communications and utility companies are also mobilizing as they enter the so-called “Mean Season.”

AT&T is one of the largest communications and utilities companies in the country. They are already gearing up to deal with any potential hurricanes hitting the coastal areas. Their “FirstNet” program is designed to coordinate company emergency response crews during and immediately after a hurricane. The program is designed to have “the capacity to support every first responder in the country,” an AT&T news release said.

“We understand how vital it is for our customers to stay connected before, during and after severe weather events,” said Corey Anthony, Senior Vice President of Engineering & Operations at AT&T.

“We’ve worked to build a consistent track record over the years in responding to major storms and other natural disasters. We’re confident in our network, our employees and our performance. And with FirstNet, where public safety goes, we go — helping ensure first responders have the reliable communications they need to effectively coordinate and communicate their disaster response.”

That kind of communications coordination was key among utility companies and local, state and federal agencies to the response to the three substantial storms that hit Florida in 2024.

Hurricane Debby hit the Big Bend area in August. Hurricane Helene followed in September, tracking up the Gulf Coast and into the Big Bend before plowing through multiple inland states to the north. Hurricane Milton punctuated the season in October, when it initially slammed the Gulf Coast around Sarasota County, Milton then powered through inland areas of the state before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean around Fort Pierce.

The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) estimates that those three hurricanes caused a combined $138 billion in damage in Florida.

Beyond organizational preparation, the National Weather Service (NWS) also advised residents to get ready for the storms. The NWS details on Hurricane Preparedness Week says residents should set aside time to assess the risk of water and wind damage to a home, know storm-surge zones, review evacuation routes and get supplies ready.

Florida’s Division of Emergency Management also has more detailed plans for Floridians getting ready for hurricane season.

Hurricane season officially runs through Nov. 30.