OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – As Hurricane Milton approached, local businesses in Kissimmee took proactive measures to safeguard their properties.
Arrison Reyes, owner of the Apollo Tattoo Studio on Broadway Avenue, shared his thoughts about last year’s storm with News 6.
“We boarded up the windows with big wood planks, and then we put a bunch—I’m talking about, like, 150 sandbags—around the whole perimeter of the shop and prayed to God.”
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Reyes expressed hope for a quiet hurricane season this year, but experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting an “above normal season” for hurricanes.
In light of these warnings, the Osceola County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation on the 2025 Hurricane Season Outlook. Emergency Management Director Bill Litton emphasized the importance of updated emergency plans that now include preparations for various extreme weather events, including tornadoes that often accompany hurricanes.
The county is also ensuring adequate funding for emergency management efforts. Three individuals have been appointed to collaborate with FEMA on federal grants, although some services are already facing cuts.
“They are no longer going to be providing door-to-door canvassing after hurricanes, so we are working with the state on that,” Litton noted.
Residents are urged to plan, prepare, and stay informed during this hurricane season. The county recommends signing up for “Alert Osceola” to receive timely updates during severe weather events.
Reyes reflected on the lessons learned from last year’s preparations.
“I think what we have to do this time is definitely prepare in advance,” Reyes said. “Because we did a little last minute for Milton. That’s exactly what the county says: Don’t wait till the last minute. Yeah, we definitely learned our lesson last year.”
As the community braces for the upcoming hurricane season, the emphasis remains on preparedness and resilience.