06/08/2026
🌀BE READY. NOT RUSHED.
Hurricane season is officially here in Florida, and while we all hope for a quiet season, the best time to prepare is before a storm is on the radar.
Over the years, I've learned that the families who navigate emergencies most successfully aren't necessarily the ones with the most supplies. They're the ones who have a plan.
Take a few minutes this week to:
✔ Turn on weather alerts on your phone
✔ Keep a weather radio available
✔ Have flashlights and extra batteries readily accessible
✔ Charge phones and backup power devices
✔ Store important documents in a waterproof container
✔ Prepare a Go Bag with medications, identification, chargers, clothing, personal items, comfort essentials, water, and a few non-perishable snacks
✔ Include a written list of important phone numbers in your Go Bag. Don't rely solely on your cell phone. Be sure to include family members, physicians, pharmacies, insurance contacts, home care providers, and trusted friends.
Don't forget the basics. Even a few bottles of water and some easy-to-carry snacks can make a long day during an evacuation much more comfortable.
Some good snack options include:
• Granola or protein bars
• Peanut butter crackers
• Trail mix or mixed nuts
• Dried fruit
• Applesauce pouches
• Shelf-stable nutrition drinks
• Individual packs of crackers or cookies
If you live in an Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care community, take time now to review your family's emergency plan with the community.
If an evacuation becomes necessary, will you leave with family or evacuate with the community to its designated location?
Make sure everyone understands the plan before it becomes urgent.
And one tip from years in senior living: if you live in a community, label your Go Bag with your name, apartment number, and emergency contact information. That simple step can make a tremendous difference during an evacuation.
Preparation isn't about fear. It's about peace of mind. The best emergency plans are the ones made before they're needed.
Stay safe, Central Florida. 🩵🧡
And if you know a senior, caregiver, adult child, neighbor, or friend who could benefit from this reminder, please share this post. One conversation today could make all the difference tomorrow.