Martin County emergency management urges residents to assemble kits, know evacuation zones

Sally Wait, Martin County’s Emergency Management Director, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on hurricane‑season preparedness, emphasizing practical steps residents should take now.

Wait said the National seasonal outlook projects a below‑normal year because of El Niño but stressed that major storms have occurred during El Niño years, citing Hurricane Andrew and other historical events. Her five core recommendations were: build an emergency kit (at least one gallon of water per person per day and necessary medications), write and share a family emergency plan, register for special‑needs sheltering in advance if required, know your evacuation zone (mobile and manufactured home residents should treat themselves as in evacuation zones A/B), and stay informed via Alert Martin and the county’s community information center (phone: 772‑287‑1652).

She also described county shelter capacity (10 general-population shelters, one special needs shelter, one pet‑friendly shelter) and the role of partner organizations and distribution 'pods' to deliver food, water and ice after a storm. Wait reminded residents that a shelter is a safety resource of last resort and that neighbors helping neighbors is a critical element of community resilience.

"Hurricane season is a shared responsibility, but by working together we can help our community recover and make sure that our friends and family are safe," Wait said.

The board did not take action on the briefing; commissioners asked clarifying questions about distribution points and partner support, which Wait answered with logistics and contact details.