The Okaloosa County government meeting held on May 4, 2025, focused on preparations for the upcoming Hurricane Preparedness Expo. The meeting began with discussions on communication protocols during hurricane events, emphasizing the importance of timely information dissemination to residents.

One key point raised was the need for a reliable citizen information line that would operate during hurricanes. This line will provide essential updates and guidance to the public. Officials highlighted that residents can call a designated number for information, which will be actively managed to ensure accurate and prompt communication.

The meeting also addressed the role of local media in relaying information during emergencies. Participants noted that the county's Emergency Management (EM) page would transition to an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) page during a storm, ensuring that critical updates are readily available online. Additionally, the use of AlertVocal and Nixle systems was discussed as a means to push out alerts and information to the community effectively.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to enhancing communication strategies and ensuring that residents are well-informed and prepared for potential hurricane impacts. Further steps will be taken to finalize these protocols ahead of the hurricane season.