CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – For the second year in a row, just before hurricane season, residents met with disaster preparedness experts at Cape Canaveral’s community center.
The National Weather Service told your Cape Canaveral Community Correspondent, James Sparvero, that some locals have become too comfortable during hurricane season.
“We’ve noticed that here in Brevard County, there can be this idea of complacency because it’s been a while since we’ve been directly impacted by a tropical storm,” meteorologist Will Ulrich said.
Ulrich often confirms damage after storms from the impacts of hurricanes, like tornadoes.
During Hurricane Milton in 2024, a tornado destroyed a Cocoa Beach Supercuts and eyeglasses store.
“Hurricanes come with four primary threats - heavy rainfall, storm surge flooding, wind, and tornadoes,” Ulrich reminded expo attendees. “So, every time there’s a threat of a storm here in Florida, and specifically, east-central Florida, it’s critical that you evaluate your individual risk each and every time.”
Sparvero asked Brad and Jeanne Peet if they feel prepared this year.
“You think you’re prepared, but you’re never really always prepared,” Brad Peet said. “I mean, there’s always something you’re missing.”
Jeanne Peet said people should take preparations more seriously.
“We tried to get people to come down here today and they were like, nah,” she said. “They didn’t feel the need.”
While it’s expected to be a less active hurricane season this year, Ulrich said it takes just one storm to cause devastation.
Cape Canaveral city officials recommend having at least a week’s worth of supplies, filling gas tanks and charging generators, having first aid and basic tools, buying a weather radio, clearing storm drains and gutters, steering clear of flooded roads and any barricades, learning what flood zone you live in, and knowing your evacuation route, if necessary.