JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Natural disasters are common in Florida and with hurricane season approaching, it’s a good time to stock up on the supplies you might need.
Doug Kreie is the general manager of an Ace Hardware store and he talked about the items that people buy to prepare.
“Sandbags to tarp to emergency radios, to the debris buckets, to the propane for their gas stoves, candles, you name it, we have it,” Kreie said.
The Atlantic season begins June 1 through Nov. 30. On average, there are 14 named storms and three major hurricanes during the season.
The first typically develops in June but the peak of the season in September. Hurricane Irma was in the peak season during Sept. 2017 of past tropical cyclones.
Many areas were without power for days and Irma was one of the costliest storms in Florida history.
Florida residents talked about the items they usually get for their hurricane kits.
“Water...or sometimes I’ll buy a tarp,” Ryan said.
He doesn’t have a generator because he said JEA gets the electricity back on quickly.
Another resident, Chase, said he’s already prepared.
“We stay prepared but every now and then we run short so we come back and stock up,” Chase said.
He said people should always have propane gas and be prepared to cook outside.
Kreie says the top three things are water because it has many purposes, anything for a heating source from propane tanks to charcoal and matches and a power source such as batteries to keep equipment running.
“You’d be amazed how many people; we’ve been in the cone for three or four years and they still come in saying ‘I have nothing’ and being prepared early is always better than waiting until the last minute,” Kreie said.
NOAA will issue its outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on May 23.
Click here for a complete list of all the supplies you should consider for the holiday season.