Even though Hurricane Irma has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, Escambia County Emergency Management Agency Director David Adams said it’s still too early to forecast the path of the hurricane.

“Irma is a very dangerous storm with current sustained winds of 180 miles per hour,” Adams said. “The official forecast places the storm near the southern tip of Florida on Sunday. The forecasts for three days generally have a good degree of accuracy, however, the five-day forecast has a larger margin of error.”

Adams said he recommends the following for citizens in the county:

• Keep a watch on the storm forecast.

• Review their emergency plan.

• Service their generator if they have not already done so.

• Check their fuel supply.

• Ensure they have several days of non-perishable foods on hand.

• Ensure they have potable water on hand (at least 3 gallons per day for each person).

•Locate all important documents (i.e. insurance documents, contact lists, etc.) and be sure they are readily accessible.

Adams said everyone needs to be self-sufficient for three days at least, but he recommends be sufficient for five.

“These are always good tips,” he said. “The most important thing is to stay aware of the forecast and watch for changes to the forecast and act accordingly.”