JACKSONVILLE – With the peak of hurricane season approaching, Florida officials are issuing a stark warning to residents across Northeast Florida: prepare now, and evacuate when ordered and no second-guessing.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, along with Congressman Aaron Bean, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and other state and local leaders, gathered Thursday in Jacksonville to stress the importance of hurricane preparedness.
“If you get nine feet of storm surge… You can’t tread water that long,” Scott said. “You’re not going to survive that.”
Scott urged residents to take evacuation orders seriously, emphasizing that waiting too long not only endangers lives but also puts first responders at risk.
“If you don’t evacuate, then you are putting yourself and your family in harm’s way,” Scott said. “And on top of that, you are putting the people who might rescue you — the fire department, the sheriff’s office — in harm’s way too.”
Sheriff Waters echoed that concern.
“We don’t have the numbers to rescue 6,000 people,” Waters said. “If there is an evacuation order given, there’s a reason. Take heed of that order.”
Officials pointed to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022, when many residents in Southwest Florida delayed evacuating. In Lee County alone, 911 dispatchers fielded over 16,000 calls in just eight hours, many of which couldn’t be answered due to dangerous storm conditions.
Jacksonville Emergency Management Chief Andre Ayoub said preparation can be the difference between life and death.
“Don’t be complacent,” Ayoub said. “It only takes one storm to cause significant impacts.”
Ayoub advised residents to follow four basic steps to stay ready:
- Build a supply kit with at least seven days’ worth of essentials
- Have a communication plan for family and loved ones
- Know your evacuation zone
- Stay informed through local news and alerts
Congressman Dean Black and Rep. Aaron Bean also emphasized the importance of reaching out to newcomers who may not be familiar with hurricane protocols.
“People move to Florida every single day,” Black said. “We have to make sure they’re informed.”
Bean added, “Have a plan on where you’re going to go. If the order comes and we have to leave, I’ll be leaving — and I hope you will be too.”
As hurricane threats loom, officials say readiness is not optional.
“This is about saving lives,” Scott said. “Don’t wait. Don’t second-guess. Just go.”