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Wakulla County emergency management urges residents to prepare as 2025 hurricane season begins
Summary
Emergency Management Director Jennifer Nagy told the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season (June 1–Nov. 30) is forecast above normal and urged residents to prepare, highlighted storm-surge risk, and announced a July 12 public preparedness event at Hudson Park.
Good evening, commissioners. Jennifer Nagy, Wakulla County emergency management director, told the Board of County Commissioners on June 2 that forecasters project an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and reiterated that household preparedness, not seasonal averages, determines local outcomes.
Nagy gave the seasonal outlook and practical guidance. She said, “it’s 60% chance that it’s gonna be above average. For those that don't know, they're roughly estimating 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 becoming hurricanes, 3 to 5 becoming major. Major is anything above a category 3.” She added, “What matters is if we're the ones that are impacted,” stressing residents should not rely on overall counts to judge risk.
The nut graf: Wakulla County’s greatest storm hazard is storm surge, which drives evacuation decisions for coastal zones. Nagy advised residents to know their evacuation zone, prepare two plans (a shelter-in-place plan for lower-risk storms and an evacuation plan for severe events) and to maintain readiness regardless of the seasonal forecast.
Nagy summarized local preparedness work and recent experience. She told the commission staff and public that the county has repeatedly mobilized in recent years and that training has improved response capacity. “We are ready to do that,” she said, urging that preparedness is a community responsibility: “True community resiliency requires a cultural shift and a realization that preparedness doesn't come from us sitting in this room. Preparedness comes from everybody in the community.”
She also reported uncertainty about changes at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and said county staff are monitoring federal developments, but that local first responders and partners will “work around the clock to keep the community safe” regardless of federal changes.
For public outreach, Nagy announced a rescheduled preparedness expo on July 12 at Hudson Park, 9 a.m.–noon, where residents can meet county partners and learn preparedness steps. She closed by reminding the public that even a single storm event can have large local impacts and encouraged continued vigilance.
The presentation occurred during the commissioners’ regular meeting; no formal action or vote was taken on emergency management issues.
