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By TaNeisha Woods

Escambia County EMA Director David Adams said recently that everyone should review their emergency plan for their home and family as hurricane season brews along.

“Be sure that it is updated with phone numbers, addresses, copies of important documents,” Adams said. “The need to evacuate or not needs to be re-evaluated in everyone’s plan.”

A hurricane is defined as a storm known as a tropical cyclone. This storm forms over warm waters in tropical areas and sometimes reaches land, which pushes lots of ocean water ashore. These storms can be very powerful with winds that can blow from 75 up to 200 miles per hour.

Adams said sample plans and supply check lists are available on many websites, including the American Red Cross and FEMA.

“Everyone should have enough food, water, medications and other supplies to last them for at least 72 hours, longer would be much better,” he said.

Adams said the area hasn’t experienced a direct significant impact from a tropical system in several years.

“This lack of activity and human nature makes complacency a major concern,” he said. “Everyone needs to remember that regardless of the forecast for a higher than normal, lower than normal or normal tropical season, it only takes one storm create severe hardships for everyone.

“Also, I ask that everyone pay close attention to storm information from the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service and local radio and TV stations when a tropical system occurs, especially when it is in the Gulf of Mexico,” he said. “The changes in weather patterns is affecting the intensity of storms and while the forecasters do an excellent job in forecasting the path of storms, the intensity remains very difficult to forecast and can change rapidly.”