Florida’s Greatest Hurricane Preparedness Party to be held May 30 in Okaloosa County

Disclaimer: We are promoting this event on behalf of a local chamber member. This event is not managed or sponsored by the Destin Chamber.



The public is invited to attend Okaloosa County’s Annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Administration Building, located at 1250 N. Eglin Parkway in Shalimar.
 
Each year, this event reminds Okaloosa County residents to be prepared ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season and to heed caution for every storm that approaches our area, regardless of the storm’s designated category.
 
Early attendees at the event will receive a free bag and be able to collect free disaster supply items, like flashlights, first-aid kits and hand sanitizer as they visit vendor booths. The event will highlight over 14 vendors, two food trucks, a touch-a-truck area, free hurricane guides and direct access to County staff to answer questions and provide information.
 
“I encourage every family in Okaloosa County to create a hurricane readiness plan,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “The Hurricane Expo is a great opportunity for the public to find resources that will facilitate preparedness and foster a mindset that keeps us alert throughout the year.”
 
The expo will also feature two remarkable speakers with extensive experience in disaster management and meteorology.
 
Patrick Maddox, Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety, will kick off the event with a presentation designed specifically for Okaloosa County, focused on local impact information, evacuation methodology and how decisions are made by Okaloosa County leadership before, during and after the storm.
 
Jessica Chace, Senior Meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS), is the keynote speaker and will provide insight on how the NWS keeps the public informed during storm events in real-time and how the agency efficiently guides messaging as a threat approaches.
 
The event will also feature an interactive Q&A panel with representatives from local utilities, law enforcement and emergency management, who will answer questions from attendees and provide updates related to agency storm preparedness.