OLDSMAR, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody is recognizing the extraordinary efforts of the City of Oldsmar to help citizens prepare for potential hurricane strikes. During last hurricane season, the Tampa Bay region received record storm surge flooding and damage from back-to-back hits by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. To assist residents in future storm events, Oldsmar developed the Pledge to Evacuate campaign and the Oldsmar Support Services Alliance to engage residents to follow evacuation orders and facilitate help in the aftermath of a storm. For these programs and initiatives, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council named Oldsmar the winner of the Future of the Region Award for Community Preparedness and Resiliency. Senator Moody recently stood with city and local officials in Oldsmar to present a Special Congressional Recognition to honor this achievement.
Senator Ashley Moody said, “Last year, Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked havoc in communities across Florida, especially in the Tampa Bay area. From the destruction, came innovative programs to help residents prepare and efficiently recover from future storm strikes. I’m proud to honor Oldsmar’s tremendous proactive efforts to support residents, and for being awarded the Future of the Region in Tampa Bay.”
Oldsmar Mayor Katie Gannon said, “The City of Oldsmar is deeply honored to receive this Special Congressional Recognition from Senator Moody. This recognition affirms the importance of our Pledge to Evacuate and the Oldsmar Support Services Alliance, and it highlights the strength, resilience, and unity of our community in working together to protect and support one another.”
As a flood vulnerable community, Oldsmar created its Pledge to Evacuate campaign to encourage residents to heed evacuation warnings and prepare early for storms. The TBRPC recognized the program for creatively leveraging community trust, digital innovation and multi-channel outreach.
Following the impact sustained from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the city formed the Oldsmar Support Services Alliance to coordinate the recovery efforts of various community organizations. The alliance started as an informal sharing of resources but evolved into a structured partnership, bringing together organizations and community leaders to support residents in the most efficient and effective way possible.
September is National Preparedness Month and also represents the peak of hurricane season. Senator Moody is urging Floridians to be ready to weather any potential storm strikes.
Senator Moody offers the following tips to help Floridians prepare for a hurricane strike or in the aftermath of a storm:
- Know evacuation routes and shelter locations;
- Stock up on enough food, water and emergency supplies for the entire household for at least seven days well before a storm is expected to strike;
- Check that storm-related products are hurricane-proof or impact-proof before purchasing;
- Verify charities are legitimate before donating for disaster-related storms; and
- Beware of solicitors using high-pressure tactics, such as demanding urgent donations or sharing limited information when soliciting donations.
Floridians can stay informed about serious storm events using the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website, FloridaDisaster.org. Floridians can monitor a storm’s progression and the latest weather alerts using NOAA’s Hurricane Center by visiting NHC.NOAA.gov. For additional storm prep tips, Floridians can access FDEM’s free Hurricane Guide here.
In the event of an incoming tropical storm or hurricane, Floridians should look for further guidance from local officials and emergency authorities.
In the aftermath of a storm, Senator Moody’s Constituent Services team stands ready to assist Floridians.