MEXICO BEACH, Fla. – Today, Senator Rick Scott kicked off his hurricane preparedness tour in Florida’s panhandle, urging Florida families to make a plan and get ready for the 2024 Hurricane Season which begins on Saturday, June 1. This week, Senator Scott will traveling around Florida to emphasize the importance of hurricane preparedness and meet with local elected leaders, law enforcement, emergency management officials and business owners.

Senator Scott continues fighting to ensure Washington remains a partner to Floridians still recovering from past storms and will show up should disaster strike again. Earlier this month, Senator Scott sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell once again voicing concerns about the impending exhaustion of the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). As Floridians prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, the DRF must be full funded and able to respond following natural disasters. This letter follows reports that the agency expects the DRF to run out of funds by August 2024 and may need to activate an immediate needs funding designation as early as June. Read more HERE.

Senator Rick Scott said, “With the 2024 Hurricane Season beginning soon, I am traveling around Florida to send one very clear message: now is the time for every family to make a plan and get prepared. In previous hurricane seasons, we saw terrible devastation and flooding in communities across Florida, including here in Mexico Beach. The years since Hurricane Michael have not faded its impact on this community and still serve as an important reminder that we all need to be prepared. After Michael, I know many here wondered how Mexico Beach would ever recover. Well, here’s what I say to that… Never doubt the panhandle. Folks here know how to get things done. We never want to see a disaster hit, but now is a great opportunity for you and your family to stock your disaster supply kits with vital supplies like a first aid kit, a radio, flashlights, batteries, and other necessities—and you can buy hurricane supplies sales-tax-free from June 1^st through June 14^th, so take advantage of that. As I always say, you can rebuild your home, but you can’t rebuild your life. Don’t put your family and loved ones at risk. Don’t wait to take action. Get prepared today.”

Florida families and businesses can visit www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness to make a disaster preparedness plan and find helpful resources to keep their families safe before, during and after a storm.

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