Leon County Urges Residents to Stay Prepared During National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month and Leon County is reminding all residents to stay alert and ready for disasters and emergencies that can happen at any time. With an active hurricane season underway, now is the time to review your emergency plans, ensure your disaster supply kits are fully stocked, and sign up for emergency alerts.
Recent severe weather events, including the Bicentennial Storm in April and the May 10 Tornado Outbreak, which caused significant flooding and wind damage, along with the near-miss of Hurricane Debby, highlight the importance of preparedness for all Leon County residents.
"Preparedness is the responsibility of everyone and it is a year-round commitment," said Leon County Commission Chair Carolyn D. Cummings. "Recent weather events have shown us just how critical it is to be ready for the unexpected. We urge all residents to take the time now, to prepare for future disasters that may occur.”
Leon County offers a variety of essential resources to help residents prepare for any natural or human-caused disaster. These tools are designed to help individuals, businesses, and neighborhoods better prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
- Visit LeonReady.com, a hub of disaster resilience resources.
- Sign up for Neighborhood Readiness Training, led by Leon County Emergency Management experts for unincorporated County neighborhoods.
- Review the 2024-25 Disaster Survival Guide, critical information to know before, during, and after a disaster. Printed copies of the guide are available at all County and City of Tallahassee facilities, along with the American Red Cross, 1115 Easterwood Drive.
- Sign up for Leon Alerts, time-sensitive emergency messages delivered to your email or phone related to incidents such as severe weather and evacuations.
- Download the Citizens Connect App, Leon County’s best source for emergency news and alerts.
“We know it is not a question of if disaster strikes, but rather when,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “With the busiest season of tropical cyclone activity upon us, the County continues to make critical preparedness resources available for everyone.”
Residents can also take advantage of Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, which runs through Friday, September 6. This is a great time to purchase essential supplies tax-free. While shopping, residents can also pick up a copy of the County’s 2024-25 Disaster Survival Guide at participating hardware stores, including:
- Ace Hardware, 3802 N. Monroe St.
- Killearn Ace Hardware, 4831 Kerry Forest Pkwy.
- Bannerman Ace Hardware, 3321 Beech Ridge Trl.
- Woodville Ace Hardware, 9382 Woodville Hwy.
- Cornerstone Tool & Fastener, 1110 Stuckey Ave.
- Gorman Company, 941 Chipley St.
- Builders FirstSource, 1369 Blountstown Hwy.
- Tractor Supply Co., 5743 W. Tennessee St.
- Home Depot, 1490 Capital Circle NW
"At Leon County, we work year-round with our partners to prepare for disasters," said Kevin Peters, Leon County Director of Emergency Management. "It’s vital for families to do the same by creating a plan, assembling a disaster supply kit, and signing up for Leon County Emergency Alerts."
For more information, contact Kevin Peters at Leon County Emergency Management: 850-606-3700 or PetersK@LeonCountyFL.gov, or Mathieu Cavell at Leon County Community and Media Relations: 850-606-5300 or CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
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