KISSIMMEE, Fla. — As the 2025 Hurricane season officially starts Sunday, state, county and city leaders across Central Florida are preparing for the potential impact from storms that could develop in the coming months.

What You Need To Know

  • Hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts through November 30 in Florida 

  • Kissimmee city leaders say they're prepared to navigate potential hurricanes through their Command and Control Center

  • This center allows officials from all departments to have one designated location to track storms, watch for flooding, see live newscasts, and send information to the public

  • The center was first used during Hurricanes Helene and Milton

In Kissimmee, leaders implemented an organizational control center last year during Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Located adjacent to Kissimmee City Hall, the center provides first responders and officials one designated location to track storms before they hit, manage resources, watch traffic patterns and live newscasts, manage flood mitigation, and more.

“So, I think last year what we learned was that sometimes you could have those back-to-back events that just really stress your resources," Deputy City Manager Austin Blake said. "But the good thing is I feel really confident with all of our response personnel. They've been around the block, they've done this numerous times.” 

“So, as part of our pre-storm process, or pre-storm season process, all of our departments go through the readiness checklist," he added. "So, whether that be police or fire — which are probably the most prominent positions or departments that the city sees.”

Blake said the organizational control center, also known as the Command and Control Center, is the one location where the decision makers stay during disasters to navigate any and all obstacles that storms could bring.

“From this very room, we can actually coordinate the resources of every city department, whether that be police, fire, public works or parks and recreation, who actually helps us out for shelter staffing. All of that is managed here,” Blake said. “So while there's no one in the room right now, when we are fully activated, representatives from all of those departments sit here and we're able to kind of coordinate it.”

“So, we're able to speed up how quickly we can get help and resources to the community or to certain areas of the community because all the decision makers are right here," he continued.

Blake said he feels the city is prepared for potential hurricanes — although residents, he said, have mixed emotions depending on their previous experiences.

“A lot of residents are getting storm fatigue, and so sometimes they might either become complacent, or on the flip side to that, you have some folks that maybe are a little bit more on edge," he said. "So, what we ask is just everyone constantly review your information, make sure that you have plans for yourself and your family."

To help residents prepare now, Blake said the city has resources available for storm season on their website. They also have information about how homeowners can request to have debris picked up from their homes if potential storms create damage.

The city is also encouraging residents to subscribe now to receive text alerts on updates for Kissimmee and Osceola County. Residents can text the number “888777” and send the message “Alert Kissimmee” or “Alert Osceola” for updates in their area.

Additionally, the city has information available in Spanish.

“So, it's not only this season, but we always actually have information available during disasters in Spanish," Blake said. "So, when we do live press conferences, we first do them in English and then we do then we do them again in Spanish. Then that includes the information we even put on the screen that's actually already translated. It's real-time information came right out of our command meetings, and we broadcast that to ensure, because we're well aware that we have more than 70% of our community is Spanish speaking."

Blake said the city is also encouraging residents to be weary of false information on social media when it comes to disaster response and potential storms. He said it is important that residents only watch and read information from trusted officials and sources.

“Make sure you have a trusted news source. Just again, make sure that you have a plan. Make sure that you talk about it with your family, that everyone knows what they should do, know where you need to go in case you do have to evacuate if you live in a low-lying area,” Blake said. “I think the key is just be educated and then, you know, rely on public officials and the public messaging and then we can ensure that we can help you get you through it.”