FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
CONTACT:
LESLIE D. STEELE
media@gadsdencountyfl.gov
850.743.8757
GADSDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENCOURAGES GADSDEN COUNTY RESIDENTS TO GET PREPARED FOR TROPICAL STORM HELENE
-Sign Up to Receive Emergency Information Text ALERTGADSDEN to 888777- -
GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla.- The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners today encouraged residents to prepare for Tropical Storm Helene’s potential impact on the county.
“As we closely monitor the intensifying Tropical Storm Helene, it is crucial for all Gadsden Countians to swiftly initiate preparations for potential impacts on your homes and families,” emphasized Board Chairman Commissioner Ron Green. “This storm is rapidly gaining strength, with forecast models indicating that it will significantly increase in size and power before making landfall. We urge you to take this storm seriously and activate your family emergency plans without delay.”
Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 to declare a state of emergency in 61 Florida counties, including Gadsden:
Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.
The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners encourages residents who do not have a plan to prepare for Tropical Storm Helene by:
- Sign up to receive text alerts with important Emergency Information. Text ALERTGADSDEN to 888777 to receive emergency information.
Visit https: www.gadsdencountyfl.gov/departments/emergency-management for additional information
- Making A Plan – Sit down with your family and share all emergency contact information so everyone knows how and who to alert. If your household depends on life support or other medical equipment, discuss with your physician, including alternate living arrangements, should unplanned, extended outages occur.
- Keeping a Kit Nearby– Experts agree it is a good idea to have items such as non-perishable food, plenty of water, flashlights, a first aid kit with extra batteries, and a portable phone charger on hand and easy to access in case of storms. Remember to check the expiration dates on your supplies often and replace the expired items.
And remember to stay informed: Install a smartphone app that will alert you when severe weather is in the area or sign up for emergency alerts on your smartphone. A weather radio with a loud alarm can also help wake you up when severe weather threatens overnight. Your awareness is key to staying safe during this storm.
For more information, contact the Gadsden County Public Information office at (850) 875-8671 or visit gadsdencountyfl.gov.
# # #