On Saturday, the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management, led by director Bill Litton, hosted its annual “Before the Storm” event at the Kissimmee Civic Center aimed at educating and preparing Osceola County residents for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 1. The event took place ahead of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which happens annually from May 5-11.

In collaboration with the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management, first responders including the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Osceola County Fire Rescue, Kissimmee Police and Fire Department, St. Cloud Police and Fire Department, along with the National Weather Service, Florida Forest Service, WESH News’ Meteorology team, Kissimmee Utility Authority, St. Cloud’s Flood Management, and the Red Cross, supplied hurricane preparedness information to the community.

Hurricane Season
Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane Preparedness

This year’s hurricane season, beginning on June 1, could be intense, as the anticipated La Niña conditions are favorable for hurricane activity in the Atlantic. This contrasts with 2023’s quieter season, which saw only one hurricane impact the U.S. mainland, despite 20 named storms forming under the less conducive El Niño conditions.

The event featured Kissimmee Utility Authority’s free bilingual Hurricane Preparedness Guide, which is currently available digitally at KUA.com/storm and will soon be available in printed form at the Kissimmee Administration office on Carroll Street.

For information on being prepared for the Atlantic Hurricane season, visit https://www.osceola.org/agencies-departments/emergency-management/