WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement urging Floridians to stay alert and get prepared as the state monitors the path of Disturbance 1, which the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts to have a 70% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next seven days that could impact Florida’s Gulf Coast next week. Starting tomorrow, Floridians can take advantage of stocking up on tax-free hurricane preparedness items through Florida’s 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday running August 26^th through September 8^th—Learn more HERE.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Florida is now in the cone of potential impacts from severe tropical weather. I spoke with National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Mike Brennan yesterday and while there is still uncertainty about the track and intensity of this storm system, we cannot take this lightly. Now is the time to make a plan and be prepared. Floridians understand just how quickly storms can develop and intensify. We saw it with Hurricane Michael, which went from a tropical storm to a Category 5 monster in less than three days. Do not put your family in danger by waiting to get ready. Remember, we can rebuild a house, but we cannot rebuild a life. I’ll be continuously monitoring this system and urge all Floridians to do the same. Florida has the best law enforcement and emergency managers in the world so please listen to them and be ready for severe weather.”

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness to get prepared today. See the latest on Disturbance 1 from the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov or @NHC_Atlantic on Twitter, and from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT on Twitter.

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