GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The City of Gainesville has published a new hurricane preparedness brochure, Prepare and Weather the Storm, to help neighbors make emergency plans ahead of what forecasters predict will be an above-normal hurricane season.

The brochure includes information to help neighbors prepare well before hurricane watches and warnings are issued. It also lists key emergency contact information and resources and is available online in English and in Spanish at SafeGNV.org.

Printed copies also will be available at the Clarence R. Kelly Community Center at 1700 NE 8th Ave.; the UF Health Urgent Care Center – Eastside at 457 SE 20th St.; the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County at 224 SE 24th St.; and City Hall at 200 E. University Ave.

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“The brochure’s tips will help you make an emergency plan, stock a disaster supply kit and stay informed,” said Gainesville Fire Rescue Lt. Alvin Jones, interim emergency manager.

The push for early preparation comes after one of the most destructive and deadly hurricane seasons in recent memory and after the early formation of a powerful storm last June. Hurricane Beryl became the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin after reaching that intensity July 2. It was responsible for more than 70 deaths across the Caribbean, Mexico and the U.S., along with billions of dollars in damage across several states.

Later in the season, Hurricane Helene would become the deadliest hurricane to strike the continental United States in the past 50 years. After crossing Florida’s Big Bend region in late September, Helene claimed more than 250 lives, leaving a path of destruction through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee.

Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton swept across Florida, leading to more than 40 deaths and leaving more than one million residents without power, some for as long as 10 days.

“NOAA has predicted an above-average season with three to five major hurricanes this year, so readiness is critical,” Jones said. “The time to prepare is now — not when the storm is on the radar.”

Hurricane preparedness also is among the subjects of the June episode of GNV On The Move, the city’s monthly television program. The June show will air Sat., June 7 at 8 p.m. on Cox Cable Channel 12, and at 5:30 p.m. Sat, June 14 on WUFT-TV. It also will be available on demand through Roku and Amazon streaming platforms, and on the City of Gainesville YouTube channel.

Residents can sign up for local emergency notifications at AlertGNV.org. Additional information and links to trusted weather and emergency planning websites are available online.

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