Martin County urges residents to prepare for Atlantic hurricane season

Martin County Emergency Management Director Sally Waite urged residents to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1–Nov. 30, and described a newly produced "Road to Readiness" guide with evacuation, shelter and notification information.

Waite said the guidance matters because Martin County faces recurring hazards including storm surge and flooding, and that early planning can help residents protect life and property when disasters strike.

Waite outlined key preparedness steps: know local risk and whether a home is in an evacuation or storm-surge zone; build a family disaster kit with essentials; create a family disaster plan that specifies evacuation destinations and ways to contact relatives if phone service is down; and document home conditions and valuables before a storm. "Family disaster plan is one of the most important steps in preparing for an emergency," Waite said.

She advised securing loose items outdoors and said the county has produced a Road to Readiness guide to help households plan, prepare, stay safe and recover. Waite warned that county shelters do not provide cots and recommended that residents bring an air mattress, sleeping bags and bedding if they plan to use a shelter. "Martin County will open a special needs shelter and a pet friendly shelter when appropriate and deemed necessary," she said, and added that residents with special medical needs must pre-register for shelters on the county website.

Waite emphasized that shelters should be a last option and urged residents to evacuate within the region rather than travel very long distances: "We encourage residents to travel tens of miles, not thousands of miles." She also recommended signing up for Alert Martin, the county emergency notification system, and said emergency information is posted on the emergency management website, social media, Martin County Television and WSTU 1450.

The remarks were a public information briefing rather than a formal action item; no motions or votes were taken. The presentation focused on preparedness steps and how residents can use county resources and notifications ahead of and during hurricanes.