In an effort to raise awareness about disaster preparedness, particularly for hurricanes, Okaloosa County will be hosting “Florida’s Greatest Hurricane Preparedness Party” and Expo on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
- The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Administration Building in Shalimar.
The event aims to encourage residents to make necessary preparations ahead of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins on June 1.
“This event is a reminder that we all need to remain vigilant as hurricane season approaches and make preparations now, instead of panicking when it is too late,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “I encourage all families to attend this fantastic opportunity, make a plan for their households, and learn about how our local agencies make preparations for responding to weather events of this magnitude.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to receive free custom tote bags (for the first 100) sponsored by Keep Okaloosa Beautiful, 2024 Hurricane Guides, giveaways, and access to food trucks. Local agency first responders, utilities, businesses, and County/municipal departments will also be present.
- The event will feature presentations on various topics, including preparing homes, families, and boats for storms, identifying appropriate storm information sources, and treating every storm with respect regardless of its category or status.
Featured speakers include Patrick Maddox, Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety, who has held Incident Command positions in numerous hurricanes and civil unrest events during his 30-year career; and Laura Hussey, WEARTV Channel 3 Morning News Anchor, who brings more than 25 years of broadcasting experience and has covered various Gulf Coast storms and hurricanes in Okaloosa County.
Those interested in attending can RSVP at https://fb.me/e/6DKTniCkB. More storm resources, including this year’s Hurricane Guide, can be found at https://myokaloosa.com/ps/emergency-management.
