Sen. Rick Scott urges hurricane preparedness from Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — Senator Rick Scott made his first visit to Pensacola since taking office Tuesday. He joined several local first responders as well as city and county leaders for a press conference to urge Floridians to prepare for hurricane season.

Hurricane season officially begins on Saturday, Sen. Scott said in light of the devastation seen during Hurricane Michael it’s crucial for people to have a plan in place now for the chance of a major storm.

"Take the time to get ready, unfortunately last year we lost some people with Michael, had some horrible storm surge, hope we don't have that again, but everybody needs to follow your local first responders, police chief, sheriff's office, local news and get ready,” Sen. Scott said.

Sen. Scott said people should be stocking up on water and other emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries and generators.

He didn’t announce anymore hurricane relief funding for the state, but applauded the Senate passing a disaster relief bill last week. That bill, he said, would bring in $1.2 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base. He called on the House to pass its version of the bill, but Tuesday a second GOP lawmaker blocked the bill in the House.

Scott was joined by several local first responders, Escambia County leaders and Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson.

“We ask that you have a plan, that you know your evacuation zone, that if we [or] Escambia County issue an evacuation we expect you to comply with that order,” Mayor Robinson said.

County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he sees the biggest issue heading into hurricane season is apathy.

“People suffer from the syndrome they don't think it can happen here,” Bergosh said.

He also said he believes there’s a need for more volunteers to man any shelters needed during a major storm and urges people to help out if needed.

If you have yet to put together your hurricane kit, there’s a sales tax holiday beginning on Friday for hurricane supplies. That period of relief ends next week on Thursday.

To view the federal governments recommended supply list, click here.

Watch the conference live below: