Escambia County Emergency Management invites residents to join in observing Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week, which takes place Feb. 2-6.
Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week is observed each year by the National Weather Service, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Escambia County Emergency Management. The purpose of the week is to increase awareness of and preparedness for severe weather hazards.
Throughout the week, Escambia County Emergency Management will share safety information and preparedness tips focused on severe weather threats common to Escambia County, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, flooding and damaging winds, such as tropical storms and hurricanes. Residents are encouraged to use this time to review their emergency plans, know if they live in an evacuation zone, and ensure they have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.
"In recent years, Escambia County has faced almost every type of severe weather event a community could experience," Escambia County Deputy Public Safety Director and Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins said." From hurricanes to snowstorms, to the blistering heat to the frigid cold, Escambia County can face all kinds of severe weather. Throughout this week, we encourage residents to take the time to prepare their homes and themselves for when disaster strikes. Visit our website and follow our social media channels. You will find important tips and helpful tools to help you and your family prepared for any weather event."
Each day during Severe Weather Awareness Week will focus on a different natural disaster a Floridian can experience:
Monday, Feb. 2: Lightning
Tuesday, Feb. 3: Marine Hazards and Rip Currents
Wednesday, Feb. 4: Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
Thursday, Feb. 5: Hurricanes and Flooding
Friday, Feb. 6: Extreme Temperatures and Wildfires
During Florida Severe Weather Week, Escambia County Emergency Management encourages citizens to sign up for Alert Escambia emergency notifications and enable public safety alerts on cell phones. When receiving an emergency alert from Escambia County, the telephone number that will be displayed on your phone will be 850-471-6500. This valuable tool helps Escambia County residents to be informed of life safety alerts in the community.
Escambia County Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery efforts for emergency events in Escambia County. Learn safety tips and receive preparedness resources at MyEscambia.com/BeReady. Residents can also follow @BeReadyEscambia on Twitter, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook, and follow @EscambiaBeReady on Instagram for the latest news and updates on emergencies impacting the community.
