Contact:
Noelda Lopez, Public Information Specialist
Noelda.Lopez@flhealth.gov
Office: 352-589-6424, After Hours: 352-728-7662

Eustis, FL – September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and The Florida Department of Health in Lake County (DOH-Lake) will be joining the Ready Campaign in promoting this year’s theme “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.” 

This time last year, Central Florida residents were bracing themselves for the impact of Hurricane Irma, and many are still recovering from the damage the storm caused. The devastating 2017 hurricane season served as a reminder to all of us that disasters can happen at any time. To protect yourself and your family, it’s important to take practical steps to get prepared for the worst. You can start this process by following the themes of this year’s NPM:

• Make and practice your plan
• Learn lifesaving skills
• Check your insurance coverage
• Save for an emergency

To reach these goals, DOH-Lake will be focusing weekly on each of these themes during the month of September. Hurricanes are not the only hazard that could affect Central Florida, and these themes will help with getting prepared for any emergency that could occur.

“Disasters can happen at any time and being prepared is everyone’s responsibility.  We need to work together to be able to prepare, respond, and recover from any disaster our community can be faced with” said Aaron Kissler, Administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Lake County.  “By practicing our preparedness drills, it will get us where we need to be if a disaster strikes”

GET THE FACTS:

• Based on information from the National Weather Service, there were 458 deaths and 1276 injuries from natural hazards in 2016.
• According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, nearly one million insurance claims were filed statewide due to damages from Hurricane Irma, and almost 25,000 of those were in Lake County.

Join millions of Americans in practicing the steps necessary to stay safe before, during, and after a disaster!  For further information please visit Ready.gov to learn more, or visit the Lake County Emergency Management website.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.