By Gail A. Tierney
CCSO Public Information Officer

Here in Florida, the recent, relatively quiet hurricane seasons have fueled the tendency for citizens to revert to complacency when it comes to emergency preparedness.

However, as of early April, forecasters were predicting that the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, will see average activity.

They’re calling for the possibility of 12 named storms, including six hurricanes. Two of them could be intense. The probability for at least one major hurricane landfall on the U.S. East Coast (includes the Florida peninsula) is 32 percent, and 31 percent for the Gulf Coast.

That’s why the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office emergency management team works closely with community members year-round to stress the importance of maintaining not only a well-stocked disaster kit, but a well-rehearsed family (or business) disaster plan as well. When faced with a major disaster, citizens should know it could be as long as 72 hours before any kind of public assistance is available.

On Saturday, May 9, the agency’s Emergency Management Section will hold its free, comprehensive all-hazard and informational expo at the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center on Saunders Way in Lecanto. Don’t miss out on learning more about the latest when it comes to protecting your family, home and business from severe weather and other hazards.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to see displays, pick up handouts and other information, talk with vendors, inspect the agency’s specialized emergency equipment and listen to presentations, including one by Charlie Paxton, the Tampa Bay area science and operations officer with the National Weather Service.
Refreshments will be available for purchase, too.

The Sheriff’s Office also maintains an all-inclusive emergency management section on its official Web site. Just go to www.sheriffcitrus.org, and click on “Emergency Management” at the top of the home page. You’ll find useful information about shelter locations, distribution sites and pet-friendly shelters; where to pick up re-entry tags; plus what actions to take before, during and after severe weather strikes.

Citizens with special needs, such as restricted mobility or certain medical conditions, may register online at the site to receive critical assistance should an emergency threaten.

Additionally, people can sign up for CodeRED, emergency management’s Internet-based, high-speed telephone calling system. It’s a good idea for everyone in the community to register their home, business and cell phone numbers to receive emergency notifications via telephone about everything from evacuation orders to boil-water notices.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office also was the first sheriff’s office in Florida to offer CodeRED Weather Warning to its citizens. This completely automated early warning system delivers severe weather warnings to telephones within seconds of being issued by the National Weather Service. Weather warnings include those for tornadoes, flash floods and severe thunderstorms, but not hurricanes, since communities typically have several days to prepare.

When moments count, the CodeRED Weather Warning system has the potential to save lives. Everyone is urged to take advantage of its timesaving benefits. Citizens will need to subscribe to this free-of-charge service by clicking on the CodeRED link posted on the Sheriff’s Office Web site and following the instructions.

People who don’t have computer access may sign up for any of these free notification services simply by calling 352-746-6555.