Monday, May 24, 2010 - County Asks Residents To Be Storm Ready

St. Lucie County public safety officials are joining the state and federal government in urging residents to participate in the Great Hurricane Blowout to make sure their family has a plan this hurricane season.

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management are asking residents to turn off the power at their home for an evening meal to dine in the dark on Tuesday, June 1, the first day of hurricane season. 

In addition to turning out the lights on June 1, the Great Hurricane Blowout encourages residents to be storm-ready this hurricane season by:

• Making a family disaster plan
• Making a disaster-supply kit
• Understanding safe cooking and sanitary practices without utility services
• Passing time without electricity or the family's ability to safely leave its home
• Mitigating the effects of storm damage on residences
• Training with various disaster-related non-profit organizations

Residents can help the Great Hurricane Blowout move Florida's families "down the path to preparedness" in multiple ways. For more information visit www.greathurricaneblowout.org and pledge your individual and agency's support of the Blowout.  

For more information about St. Lucie County's Public Safety and Communications Department visit: www.stlucieco.gov/eoc.