As Hurricane Season Nears, Emergency Manager Recalls 2004 Season
Monday, June 2, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

June 2, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - Hurricane season begins this month and lasts through November 30.

Hurricane Frances at category 4 strength heads towards Florida, seen in the top left corner. Photo: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne—if you lived in Florida a decade ago, you’ll most likely remember the now-retired names of the destructive hurricanes from the 2004 season.

Though forecasters believe this hurricane season will be fairly quiet, officials are still urging people to prepare early.

Jim Judge is the director of emergency management for Volusia County. He says things have changed in the last decade.

“In 2004, we were able to get out, get roads cleared, get things going fairly quickly," says Judge. "That’s not going to be the case now or in the future. We’re still dealing with the downturn on the economy, many less positions.”

Judge urges Floridians to start stocking up with non-perishable food, batteries, first aid kits and flashlights just in case a storm makes landfall.

He says- don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for a hurricane in the event one turns deadly.

“While this next year is predicted to be a below-average year, then I go back to 1992. Boy, if you look at the map on the storms that happened then, there was hardly anything out there, except one. And that was Hurricane Andrew.”

Hurricane Andrew caused an overall estimated $26 billion in damages.

Judge offered his tips on hurricane preparedness:

• Have enough non-perishable food (like canned goods) and bottled water for 3-5 days, per person
• Buy a non-electric can opener
• Fill up cars with gas
• Invest in batteries, flash lights and lanterns in case the power goes out
• Develop a personal first aid kit--and order enough medications for one week
• Get cash from the ATM 
• Board up windows with plywood--not tape--to secure windows in the event of strong winds

Judge also recommends visiting the Hurricane Preparedness page on the National Weather Service website, and downloading the American Red Cross Hurricane App.