🇺🇸 Why Prepare?

Walton County sits along Florida’s vulnerable panhandle—prone to powerful winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge that can strike with little warning. Being prepared ensures you protect what matters most: your family, pets, home, and property.

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1. Know Your Risk & Local Resources

• Evacuation zones: Identify yours ahead of time using Walton County EM resources (mywaltonfl.gov, floridahealth.gov).
• Emergency Alerts: Sign up at Walton County Emergency Management to receive timely notifications .
• Local support: Take advantage of town-hall events (DeFuniak Springs – June 12, South Walton – June 26) to hear professionals speak (sowal.com).

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2. Make a Solid Family Plan

• Evacuation route: Know where you’ll go—friends’ homes inland, motels, or public shelters. Practice it (waltonlibraries.com).
• Meeting point: Choose a location for family reunification if separated.
• Emergency contacts: List key phone numbers—family, neighbors, local services.
• Pets: Include them in your plan—find pet-friendly shelter options or kennels (floridahealth.gov, waltonso.org).
• Assign responsibilities: Pre-assign duties—securing furniture, charging devices, gathering docs.

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3. Build a Robust Emergency Kit

Walton’s “Disaster Supply Kit” checklist includes (floridahealth.gov, mywaltonfl.gov):

• Water: 1 gallon per person, per day, for at least 3 days
• Food: 3-day supply, non-perishables
• First-aid kit
• Lighting & communication: Flashlight, batteries, NOAA/hand-crank radio
• Tools: Can opener, wrench/pliers to shut utilities, duct tape, plastic sheeting
• Personal essentials: Medications, toiletries, clothes, sturdy shoes
• Documents: IDs, insurance, medical papers (waterproof container)
• Cash: ATMs may be down
• Extras: Maps, games for kids
• Pet supplies: Pet food, meds, records (mywaltonfl.gov, floridahealth.gov, apnews.com)

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4. Secure Your Home

• Inspect & reinforce: Repair loose shingles, trim trees, reinforce garage doors (floridahealth.gov).
• Protect openings: Install storm shutters or plywood over windows and doors.
• Outdoor safety: Bring in or secure porch furniture, trash cans, grills (floridahealth.gov, facebook.com).
• Elevate valuables: Move electronics and stored items upstairs to reduce flood risk.

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5. Fuel & Transport Prep

• Fuel up early: Gas runs out quickly when storms hit. Fill tanks and, if possible, store extra fuel.
• Vehicle kit: Water, snacks, maps, flashlight, first-aid kit.
• EV precaution: Park EVs in elevated spots—saltwater exposure may spark hazards (floridahealth.gov, apnews.com).

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6. Insurance & Inventory

• Inventory your property: Document belongings room-by-room (photos, serial numbers) and store the list securely (waltonareachamber.com).
• Review policies: Confirm coverage for wind, flood, debris removal; know how claims are handled (bay.lifemediagrp.com).
• Store paperwork safe and accessible (waterproof, fire-resistant container).

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7. During the Storm

• Stay indoors in a small, interior room with no windows.
• Keep devices charged and stay tuned to NOAA radio or local alerts.
• Avoid floodwaters—never drive through flooded roads (“Turn around, don’t drown!”) (facebook.com, bay.lifemediagrp.com).

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8. After the Storm

• Stay cautious: Watch for downed power lines, unstable structures, and contaminated water.
• Document damage: Take photos/video of damage before making temporary repairs.
• Restock kit: Replace used goods, check expiration dates.
• Care for neighbors: Help elderly or disabled neighbors, especially with check-ins and clean-up.

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9. Get Involved & Stay Informed

• Participate in HERricane Florida camp (July 29–Aug 1) to learn and help educate youth (waltonso.org, floridahealth.gov, mywaltonfl.gov).
• Join CERT or Walton ARES to bolster community readiness (mywaltonfl.gov).
• Follow Walton County Emergency Management on Facebook for timely updates (facebook.com).

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📅 Walton Seasonal Timeline

Season	Action
Now – June	Make plans, build kit, secure home
June – July	Attend town halls, inventory assets, review insurance
July – August	Participate in HERricane and drills
When a storm forms	Evacuate early, fuel up, monitor alerts
After landfall	Inspect, document, recover, and rebuild smarter

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✅ Final Checklist

1. ✅ Register for alerts & know your zone
2. ✅ Seal up your kit (water, food, meds, docs, pet care)
3. ✅ Fortify your home & secure outdoor items
4. ✅ Fuel vehicles & prep travel supplies
5. ✅ Inventory belongings & review insurance

By taking these steps now, Walton County residents can weather hurricane season with confidence and resilience. Stay safe, stay prepared, and support one another in building a stronger community in 2025.

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