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The State We're In connects with people in Central Florida and the greater Tampa Bay region about issues that matter to you. From the coronavirus to special coverage of politics along the I-4 corridor, it’s a chance to hear your neighbors, and better understand their experience.The State We’re In is a collaboration of WUSF Public Media in Tampa and 90.7 WMFE in Orlando and is part of America Amplified, a national community engagement and reporting initiative supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.[Join Us On Facebook]

Meteorologist Says Coronavirus Preparation Could Benefit Floridians Ahead of Hurricane Season

FPREN meteorologist Ray Hawthorne (on the left half of the screen) speaks with host Bradley George (on the right half of the screen) about the possible shape of this year's hurricane season.
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WMFE and WUSF Public Media
FPREN meteorologist Ray Hawthorne (left) speaks with host Bradley George about the possible shape of this year's hurricane season.

Changes Floridians have made as a result of coronavirus could turn out helping them during hurricane season.

Ray Hawthorne is a meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network. Hawthorne was a guest earlier today on The State We're In - a Facebook Live show from WUSF and WMFE in Orlando. 

He says stay-at-home orders made a lot of people stock up on food and supplies recommended to have on hand for a hurricane.

“I’d like to think that with the pandemic happening in the moment, that folks are at least thinking about a disaster situation a little bit more,” he said. 

But he says the pandemic also is affecting how emergency managers plan if they need to evacuate people and maintain social distancing.

“The coronavirus won't have a huge impact there from a science perspective, but it has a HUGE impact from a preparedness perspective. And I know a lot of local and state emergency management officials are taking a look at this," Hawthorne said.

Forecasters are expecting an above-average hurricane season this year.  It officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

One named storm -- Arthur -- developed last week in the Atlantic. Arthur brought high winds and rains to the Atlantic coast of Florida and the Carolinas.

When the season officially starts, Floridians may recall recent storms such as Michael and Dorian.

Those hurricanes in 2018 and 2019 were the first to directly hit Florida in years.

"As human beings, we're sort of prone to kind of letting our guard down," Hawthorne said. "For a period of time, we went more than a decade where we did not have a hurricane hit at all in the state of Florida. And then all of the sudden, we started getting activity again." 

For more on how coronavirus is impacting Florida, visit The State We're In Facebook page.

This story is produced in partnership with America Amplified, an initiative using community engagement to inform local journalism. It is supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

I’m the lucky one who guides the WUSF News team as it shares news from across Florida and the 13 amazing counties that we call the greater Tampa Bay region.
Bradley George was a Morning Edition host and reporter at WUSF until March 2022.
Hi there! I’m Dinorah Prevost and I’m the producer of Florida Matters, WUSF's weekly public affairs show. That basically means that I plan, record and edit the interviews we feature on the show.
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