By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
Wakulla Emergency Management Director Jennifer Nagy told Chamber members last week to prepare for the possibility of a busy hurricane season.
Nagy was speaking at a Lunch and Learn on Disaster Preparedness held by the Wakulla Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 28, and sponsored by Duke Energy.
Nagy noted that NOAA is predicting an above-average hurricane season, which started June 1.
NOAA is predicting 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes.
But Nagy stressed: “It only takes one.”
And not just hurricanes – Nagy noted that the 30 minute thunderstorm that spawned three tornadoes in Leon County did significant damage as it tore through the capital city on May 10.
(The tornadoes caused an estimated $50 million damage to Tallahassee and caused significant power outages.)
At the lunch and learn, Nagy urged business owners to have a plan in case of disaster – a plan for what to do if power is out for an extended period, and a plan to reach employees.
A representative from Duke Energy noted that the power company follows direction from county emergency management and typically restores power to critical facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, before residences.
It was also noted that you cannot see if a downed powerline is energized, so stay away from them.
With support from Emergency Management, The Sun is publishing a Disaster Preparedness Guide in the June Sun Monthly, which is mailed to every residence in the county, plus Alligator Point and St. Teresa.
Additional copies of the disaster guide are available at the Sun office, 12 Arran Road in Crawfordville, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
