Jefferson County Emergency Management will hold a free Hurricane Preparedness Workshop on May 10 at the County Emergency Operations Center. With the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season starting June 1, Big Bend residents are urged to attend.
Jefferson County Emergency Management is hosting a free Hurricane Preparedness Workshop on Saturday, May 10, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Jefferson County Emergency Operations Center, 445 W Palmer Mill Road, Monticello, FL 32344.
The workshop is open to all Jefferson County residents and will feature presentations from Emergency Management Director T.J. Kessler, a representative from the National Weather Service Tallahassee office, and the Jefferson County chapter of the American Red Cross.
Topics will include:
- Building a 7-day disaster supply kit appropriate for the Big Bend region
- Understanding hurricane categories, storm surge risk, and inland wind damage potential
- Jefferson County evacuation routes along US-19, US-90, and I-10
- How to sign up for the CodeRED emergency notification system
- Special needs shelter registration through the Jefferson County Health Department
- Preparing livestock, agricultural equipment, and rural properties
- Generator safety and post-storm electrical hazards
"After what we experienced with Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and the active seasons in 2024 and 2025, we know that the Big Bend is not immune to direct hurricane impacts," said Kessler. "Jefferson County's heavy tree canopy and rural road network mean that power outages and blocked roads can persist for days after a storm. The time to prepare is now, not when a storm is in the Gulf."
Free hurricane preparedness guides, window marking kits, and emergency contact cards will be distributed. Residents who cannot attend may pick up materials at the County Coordinator's Office (450 Walnut Street), the County Courthouse (1 Courthouse Circle), or the R.J. Bailar Public Library (375 South Water Street).
For more information, contact Jefferson County Emergency Management at (850) 342-0165.