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It All Starts June 1
By Gail A. Tierney, Public Information Officer

After last year’s unusually quiet hurricane season here in Florida, it’s easy to see why citizens may be lulled into a state of complacency when it comes to emergency preparedness.  However, forecasters are predicting that the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, will be well above average, with the possibility of seeing 15 named storms and 8 hurricanes.  Four of them may be intense.

That’s why Sheriff’s Office emergency management personnel work closely with the community year-round to stress the importance of not only having a well-stocked disaster kit on hand, but a well-rehearsed disaster plan, too.  When faced with a major disaster, people need to realize that it could be as long as 72 hours before any kind of public assistance is available.







This year, the Sheriff’s Office has enhanced its service to the community with the debut of an all-new emergency management section on its official Web site.  Just go to www.sheriffcitrus.org, and click on “Emergency Management” at the top of the home page.  You’ll find helpful information about shelter and distribution site locations; siren warnings; where to pick up a re-entry tag; plus what actions to take before, during and after a disaster strikes.

Citizens with special needs, such as specific medical conditions or limited mobility, also may register online to receive critical assistance should an emergency threaten.  In addition, people can sign up for CodeRED, emergency management’s Internet-based, high-speed telephone calling system.  It’s a good idea for everyone in the community to register their home, business and cell phone numbers to receive emergency notifications about everything from evacuations to boil-water notices via phone, voice mail or answering machine.  People who don’t have computer access may sign up for these free services simply by calling 352-746-6555.

The Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Section expects to introduce a new layer of protection before the start of this year’s hurricane season when it adds CodeRED Weather Warning, or ThunderCall, to the existing emergency notification service.  This completely automated early warning system is designed to deliver severe weather warnings to telephones within seconds of being issued by the National Weather Service.  When moments count, subscribers to this free service will receive recorded message alerts any time severe weather threatens their area.  The CodeRED Weather Warning system has the potential to save lives, and everyone should take advantage of its benefits.  Once the service is operational, more information will be released about how to subscribe.

As the result of a special partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the Citrus County Chronicle, look for the newest all-hazards preparedness guide as an insert in the paper on Friday, May 2.  It’ll help you plan for, survive and recover from the kinds of emergencies Citrus County may face at any time, including a major hurricane.


Gail Tierney is public information officer for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.  She has been with the agency for 18 years.  Comments or suggestions may be directed to Gail at 726-4488, Ext. 311, or gtierney@sheriffcitrus.org.