So far Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest and South Florida have been spared from destructive storms this year. If a disaster hits, the state is providing new ways for residents and visitors to get information.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management and State Emergency Response Team have established new blog and Twitter accounts.
In a news release, the division said its new blog at http://flsertinfo.blogspot.com will offer, “day-to-day information on emergency management activities, statewide hazards and other events.” Officials plan to use the blog during disasters and other emergencies to provide current information and recommended actions for residents and visitors to take.
The state provided the following descriptions of its Twitter accounts:
http://twitter.com/FLSERTinfo – General program and emergency information, news releases, interesting facts, videos and photos of current events involving the Division of Emergency Management and the State Emergency Response Team.
http://twitter.com/FLSERTWeather – The State Meteorological Support Unit retransmits significant severe weather alerts and statements issued by the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center that are specific to Florida. Additional information includes links to weather-related press releases and information on hazardous weather awareness in Florida.
http://twitter.com/FLStateWatch – 24/7 daily feed from the Florida State Watch Office Operations Team in Tallahassee. Breaking news and hazard alerts from all Florida counties.
According to Interim Division Director Ruben D. Almaguer, “With such a phenomenal growth in new media sources and the increased need for rapid information gathering and sharing, we wanted to add these resources to benefit all Floridians. Our goal is to provide clear and concise information to the general public, the emergency management community, and news media through as many available technologies as we can.”