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National Hurricane Preparedness Week
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Dear Fellow Floridian,
This National Hurricane Preparedness Week, I urge every Florida family to take the time to make sure you are prepared for whatever this hurricane season may bring.
Floridians know better than anybody that hurricanes and severe weather can strike anytime and anywhere. That's why it's important for you to have a plan to keep you and your family safe in case of an emergency.
Throughout my time as Governor and as your United States Senator, I have seen the destruction left behind by devastating hurricanes like Michael, Irma, Hermine, Matthew, Ian, Fiona, Idalia, and most recently, Debby, Helene, and Milton. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Floridians are resilient. No matter what, our state and local communities always come together in times of need to work incredibly hard to rebuild and recover.
Florida is resilient because we prepare for storms. I cannot stress this enough: preparedness saves lives. We can always rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life.
Sincerely,
Rick Scott
United States Senator
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Visit my website HERE for more information on how to keep you and your loved ones safe when storms hit. For more information from the IRS on safeguarding important documents, visit HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott’s bipartisan Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act (H.R. 5366) unanimously passed the House of Representatives by voice vote.
The bill provides meaningful and long-overdue tax relief for victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters and ensures victims of natural disasters have immediate access to tax relief for years to come. It was recently renamed the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act to honor Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away in January of 2026.
The bill would allow for tax relief for victims of federally declared disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires. The bill also extends victims’ ability to make tax deductible payments from wildfire settlements, which often happen many years after a disaster, through January 1, 2027.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Floridians are resilient in the face of natural disasters, and we always overcome them. While neighbors help neighbors and communities rebuild, we should be doing everything we can to make it easier on disaster victims in Florida and around the country to put their lives back together. We certainly should not saddle them with more uncertainty about their taxes. I am proud to support this bill to provide Americans critical clarity in the disaster relief process and honor the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s extensive work on this issue. Let’s finish the job and pass this bill.”
Read more HERE.
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Hurricane Preparedness
As Floridians, we know that preparedness saves lives. As the 2026 hurricane season begins on June 1st, the time for Florida families and businesses to make a plan is TODAY.
Now is a great opportunity for your family to stock your disaster supply kits with vital supplies like a first aid kit, a radio, flashlights, batteries and other necessities. Your kit should also include 7 days' worth of food and water, prescription medications, and any important documents.
You can find resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan HERE.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare your family and business for this upcoming season:
Before a Storm
- Prepare an evacuation plan & make sure everyone in your home knows the plan.
- Stock up on emergency supplies, including:
- Water – You will need water for drinking, cooking and sanitation purposes. Pack a minimum of 1 gallon daily per person for 7 days.
- Food – You will need enough food for a minimum of 7 days:
- Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices
- Foods for individuals with dietary restrictions (i.e., infants, elderly, etc.)
- Snack foods
- Cooking tools and fuel
- Paper plates and plastic utensils
- Flashlight and Extra Batteries
- Pillows, Blankets and/or Sleeping Bags
- Clothing – Include a complete change of clothes suitable for your area's climate. Be sure to include sturdy shoes to protect you from debris or other sharp objects you may encounter outdoors post-storm
- First Aid Kit, Prescription Medication and Other Medicines
- Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
- Toiletries
- Cleaning Supplies – Include garbage bags, moisture wipes and other items you may need to sanitize your home or surrounding post-disaster
- Special Items – Assess all family members' needs. Consider other items needed for infants, elderly and individuals with access and functional needs (i.e., medical items, baby bottles, etc.)
- Cash – Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods following a disaster
- Toys, Books and Games
- Important Documents – Consider storing all critical documents in a waterproof container, as well as saving them electronically. These items can include, but are not limited to, insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
- Tools
- Pet Care Items
- Proper identification/ immunization records
- Ample supply of food and water
- Carrier or cage
- Medications
- Muzzle and leash
- Photo of you and your pet(s) – in the event that you are separated from your pet, having an updated photo with your pet will help validate pet ownership
- If you have been told to evacuate, EVACUATE. Don’t stay behind. We can rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life.
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During a Storm
- Follow instructions from local law enforcement and emergency management officials.
- Stay away from windows and seek shelter.
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After a Storm
- If you were advised to evacuate, do not return home until it is safe to do so.
- Be mindful of debris and down power lines.
- Do not drive or walk around outside if you do not have to.
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Hurricane Preparedness Resources Websites
- FEMA: Visit FEMA for up-to-date information, support, services, and to apply for disaster assistance following a storm.
- SBA: Visit SBA to learn about low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from a major disaster
- FloridaDisaster.org: Visit FloridaDisaster.org for resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan for your family.
- HUD: Visit HUD to learn about housing assistance available to homeowners and renters
- National Hurricane Center: Visit NHC for the latest updates on tropical weather threats.
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Helpful Accounts on X
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Como floridanos, sabemos que la preparación salva vidas. A medida que la temporada de huracanes de 2025 está en marcha y el momento para que las familias y empresas de Florida hagan un plan es HOY.
Ahora es una gran oportunidad para que su familia abastezca sus kits de suministros para desastres con suministros vitales como un botiquín de primeros auxilios, una radio, linternas, baterías y otras necesidades. Su kit también debe incluir alimentos y agua para 7 días, medicamentos recetados y cualquier documento importante.
Puede encontrar recursos e información sobre cómo crear un plan de emergencia personalizado AQUÍ.
Estos son algunos consejos que te ayudarán a preparar a tu familia y tu negocio para la próxima temporada:
Antes de una tormenta
- Prepare un plan de evacuación y asegúrese de que todos en su hogar conozcan el plan.
- Abastecerse de suministros de emergencia, que incluyen:
- Agua – necesitará agua para beber, cocinar y desinfectarse. Empaque un mínimo de 1 galón al día por persona durante 7 días.
- Comida – Necesitarás suficiente comida para un mínimo de 7 días:
- Alimentos y jugos no perecederos envasados o enlatados
- Abrelatas manual
- Alimentos para personas con restricciones dietéticas (como bebés, ancianos, etc.)
- Bocadillos
- Utensilios de cocina
- Platos de papel y utensilios de plástico
- Combustible
- Linterna y pilas de repuesto
- Almohadas, mantas y/o sacos de dormir
- Ropa – incluya una muda completa de ropa adecuada para el clima de su área. Asegúrese de incluir zapatos resistentes para protegerse de los escombros u otros objetos afilados que pueda encontrar al aire libre después de la tormenta
- Botiquín de primeros auxilios, medicamentos recetados y otros medicamentos
- Radio – funciona con pilas y radio meteorológica de la NOAA
- Artículos de aseo
- Suministros de limpieza – incluya bolsas de basura, toallitas húmedas y otros artículos que pueda necesitar para desinfectar su hogar o sus alrededores después de un desastre
- Artículos especiales – evalúe las necesidades de todos los miembros de la familia. Considere otros artículos necesarios para bebés, ancianos y personas con necesidades funcionales y de acceso (es decir, artículos médicos, biberones, etc.)
- Efectivo – es posible que los bancos y cajeros automáticos no estén abiertos o disponibles durante períodos prolongados después de un desastre
- Juguetes, libros y juegos
- Documentos importantes – considere almacenar todos los documentos críticos en un contenedor resistente al agua, así como guardarlos electrónicamente. Estos artículos pueden incluir, entre otros, seguros, registros médicos, números de cuentas bancarias, tarjeta de Seguro Social, etc.
- Herramientas
- Artículos para el cuidado de mascotas
- Registros de identificación/vacunación adecuados
- Amplio suministro de alimentos y agua
- Transportador o jaula
- Medicamentos
- Bozal y correa
- Foto tuya y de tu(s) mascota(s): en el caso de que estés separado de tu mascota, tener una foto actualizada con tu mascota ayudará a validar la propiedad de la mascota.
- Si le han dicho que evacue, EVACÚE. No te quedes atrás. Podemos reconstruir un hogar, pero no podemos reconstruir una vida.
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Durante una tormenta
- Siga las instrucciones de las fuerzas del orden locales y de los funcionarios de gestión de emergencias.
- Manténgase alejado de las ventanas y busque refugio.
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Después de una tormenta
- Si le recomendaron evacuar, no regrese a casa hasta que sea seguro hacerlo.
- Tenga cuidado con los escombros y las líneas eléctricas caídas.
- No conduzca ni camine al aire libre si no es necesario.
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Sitios web de recursos de preparación para huracanes
- FEMA: Visite FEMA para obtener información actualizada, apoyo, servicios y para solicitar asistencia por desastre después de una tormenta.
- SBA: Visite SBA para obtener información sobre los préstamos por desastre a bajo interés para ayudar a las empresas y a los propietarios de viviendas a recuperarse de un desastre mayor
- FloridaDisaster.org: Visite FloridaDisaster.org para obtener recursos e información sobre cómo crear un plan de emergencia personalizado para su familia.
- HUD: Visite HUD para obtener información sobre la asistencia de vivienda disponible para propietarios e inquilinos
- Centro Nacional de Huracanes: Visite el NHC para obtener las últimas actualizaciones sobre las amenazas del clima tropical.
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Cuentas útiles en X
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TALLAHASSEE
111 N. Adams Street, Suite 208
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 942-8415 |
WEST PALM BEACH
415 Clematis Street, Suite 201
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 514-0189 |
TAMPA
801 North Florida Avenue, Suite 421
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 225-7040 |
KISSIMMEE
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 300
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 586-7879 |
PENSACOLA
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: (850) 760-5151 |
MIAMI
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 505
Miami, FL 33134
Phone: (786) 501-7141 |
NAPLES
3299 Tamiami Trail East, #106
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 231-7890 |
JACKSONVILLE
400 West Bay Street, Suite 289
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 479-7227 |
ORLANDO
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 410
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 872-7161 |
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5274 |
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Fax: (202) 228-4535 |
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