Dennis Phillips Gives Advice For Upcoming Hurricane Season

When most people around the country thing of seasons, they think of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.  Well, here in Florida we think of a different season and it is less than a month away, HURRICANE SEASON!

In 2022 there were 14 named storms, 8 developed into hurricanes and 2 were severe, Hurricane Fiona and of course, Hurricane Ian, which ripped through Southwest Florida.

Hurricane season is never something to be taken lightly.  If you were to be in the path a severe storm you can experience a wide array of possible situations.  No matter how you end up after a storm, preparedness is key. Check out hurricane prep items you should own.

We asked ABC Action News Chief Meteorologist (and all sound nice guy) Denis Phillips for any advice for the 2023 hurricane season. He told us "Don't pay any attention to the predictions of how many storms will form. It's meaningless."

Phillips goes on to remind everyone "1992 was a "quiet" year with below normal activity. It was also the year Andrew hit South Florida. Folks down there would probably say it was a VERY active year. We hear it all the time, but it's 100% true. It only takes ONE to make it a very busy year."

Still, it's important to have a plan in case a storm does start to develop. Some of the more obvious things that you should have on hand are non perishable food and drinking water.  A crank operated radio and a weather radio approved by NOAA is a good idea as well. If a big storm we're to get close to where you are, power might be out for an extended period, you might need cash and ATM's won't be working.

Also, what if your local Pharmacy is destroyed?  Keep extra prescriptions in the kit as well. Flashlights, baby formula, and prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses are all on the list of possible items.  All items the Ready.gov list are good ideas and you may think of a few others that aren't on the list.  However, not everything on the list is right for everyone.

Although Hurricane season is an anxious time for many people, the best advice we can give is to just RELAX. So get ready, Get prepared, be safe and stay calm.

It'll be here before you know it. Hurricane season is upon us and if Ian and Helene  taught us anything, it's better to be safe than sorry. Even though Tampa was barely able to avoid the worst of Ian, we still remember people scrambling to get last-minute supplies. Some waited in lines for hours for supplies only to leave empty-handed. Don't let that be you this year! In the case of a major hurricane or even a tropical storm, you should have these 5 things before hurricane season starts.

Experts say it's super important to build a storm kit before any type of disaster. Each kit may look different based on an individual's needs. These are the universal 5 items you shouldn't forget! We found all of these items on Amazon. If you think ahead and order these items now, you should be able to build your storm kit before hurricane season even starts. Anybody can remember to stock up on the essentials (bottled water, food, and batteries) but do you have these useful items in your home in case of a big storm?

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also listed hurricane safety tips and resources so you and your family can be prepared. When shopping for supplies, you should grab enough items like water, food, and batteries, to be able to last you for at least 1 week. It also seems pretty obvious that every Floridian should own a battery-operated or hand-crank radio. If you ever lose power, at least you can still be kept in the loop with your favorite radio station. And by now, everyone should have a backup portable phone charger.

Remember when everyone was scrambling all over Pinellas and Hillsborough counties looking for sand bags? Most pick-up locations were only allowing people to pick up 2-3 bags per person, which is probably not enough to surround your house/belongings.

If you order these empty sandbags on Amazon now, you should have them by next week. It will make your life a lot easier to just drive to your nearest beach or causeway and fill the bags up that way.

We all know how crappy it is to lose power in the middle of a hurricane. In some cases, you may not know when it will be restored. Amazon has this really cool battery powered camping lantern with a fan for only $20. Reviews say that 1 set of D batteries lasted them over 10 hours.

If you live in Florida and don't have a decent pair of rain boots, now is your time to get a pair. If the thought of gross storm water touching your skin freaks you out, you should grab a pair of these knee high waterproof boots.

It's better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it, right? Check out this mini water filtration system for just $22 on Amazon.

You don’t want to ruin important documents like social security, state issued ID and birth certificates, prescription medication, copies of insurance documents, to name a few. Bonus if you can convert other important documents to an USB flash drive! You'll want something big enough to hold all of your belongings, but compact enough to carry around in case you have to evacuate. Amazon has a great option, here.

This one may seem obvious, which is why we made it an honorary mention in case it does slip your mind. Remember how bored you were when you lost power from Ian? Some board games, deck of cards, or coloring books should help you pass the time, without killing your phone battery.