Congressman Patronis Urges Northwest Floridians to Prepare as Tropical Storm Bertha Approaches
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (FL-01) urged residents across Northwest Florida to stay vigilant and take immediate steps to prepare as Tropical Storm Bertha moves toward the Gulf Coast.
"The safety of our families is the top priority," said Congressman Patronis. "As someone who has lived through these storms, I know how quickly conditions can change. Please don't wait until it's too late. Take time today to secure your home, document your property, check on your loved ones and neighbors, and stay informed. A little preparation now can make all the difference if conditions worsen."
Prepare by:
- Developing or reviewing your family emergency plan
- Knowing your evacuation zone and evacuation routes
- Building or restocking your emergency supply kit
- Monitoring trusted local and national weather updates
- Taking photos and videos of your home and belongings before a storm for insurance purposes
As Tropical Storm Bertha approaches Florida, Congressman Jimmy Patronis is urging residents to stay alert for dangerous rip currents and reminding electric scooter or vehicle owners to take precautions against potential storm surge.
Congressman Patronis continued, "Many Floridians don't realize that electric vehicles and scooters exposed to saltwater storm surge can pose a fire risk if their batteries become damaged. If your vehicle is in an area vulnerable to flooding or storm surge, move it to higher ground before the storm arrives. Taking a few minutes now could help protect your property and keep your family safe."
Northwest Floridians should continue monitoring forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and their local emergency management offices for the latest updates and any evacuation or emergency guidance.
For hurricane preparedness resources click here.
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