ORLANDO, Florida — Two days before the start of hurricane season, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s top disaster management joked Friday that they didn’t want to see each other again until the season concludes in late November. Forecasts indicate that’s unlikely.
While the new season, which begins on Sunday, is not likely to be as unpredictable as the previous one, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 60% likelihood of above normal, a 30% chance of near normal, and a 10% chance of quieter than average. Last year’s hurricane season was the third-costliest on record, thanks to relentless hurricanes including as Debby, Helene, and Milton that landed in Florida.
“You just have to prepare and plan that we are going to have impacts,” DeSantis said during a news conference in front of generator shelves at a Home Depot in Jupiter, Florida. “If you plan and it doesn’t happen, you won’t have any regrets. If you don’t plan and something happens, you’ll immediately wonder, ‘Why didn’t I do this?'”
Before any hurricanes hit the peninsula, Floridians should stockpile seven days’ worth of food, water, and supplies for their families, including pets. If they need to evacuate, only a few kilometers inland to a hotel or shelter will suffice, according to officials.
Floridians living along the shore should be familiar with their evacuation zone so they know which places emergency officials would refer to if an evacuation is ordered, according to DeSantis and Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
The NOAA predicts 13 to 19 named storms, with six to ten becoming hurricanes and three to five reaching major status with winds of more over 110 mph (177 kph). In a typical season, 14 named storms form, seven of which intensify into hurricanes and three of which become major hurricanes.
Normally, at the start of hurricane season, Floridians can purchase storm supplies through a state program that does not tax products like as generators, batteries, flashlights, tarps, and coolers. However, DeSantis stated that this is on hold because the Florida Legislature has yet to enact a budget.
Despite a GOP supermajority in both chambers, legislative leaders failed to adopt the state budget, which Florida law requires, before the regular session ended in early May. Lawmakers are anticipated to return to Tallahassee in June to finalize a budget agreement before the next fiscal year begins on July 1.
“So we don’t have any tax holiday in place in the state of Florida,” said DeSantis, referring to lawmakers who openly rejected the Republican governor during the most recent legislative session, in contrast to previous years of deference.