Okaloosa County Hurricane Preparedness Expo on May 30 helps families get ready before storm season
Okaloosa County, Florida – Okaloosa County residents will have a chance to prepare for hurricane season in a hands-on way when the county hosts its Annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Okaloosa County Administration Building in Shalimar.
The event, described as Florida’s Greatest Hurricane Preparedness Party, will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1250 N. Eglin Parkway. It is open to the public and designed to give families direct access to the tools, guidance and local information they may need before storms threaten the area.
The expo comes ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season, a time when county officials urge residents not to wait until a storm is already approaching. The message is simple: every storm deserves attention, no matter its category. For a coastal community like Okaloosa County, preparation can make a major difference before, during and after severe weather.
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Early attendees will receive a free bag and will be able to collect disaster supply items while visiting vendor booths. Items expected at the event include flashlights, first-aid kits and hand sanitizer. More than 14 vendors are scheduled to participate, along with two food trucks, a touch-a-truck area, free hurricane guides and county staff members available to answer questions.
“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 program will also include presentations from two speakers with deep experience in emergency response and weather communication.
Patrick Maddox, Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety, will open the event with a presentation focused on local impacts, evacuation methods and how county leaders make decisions before, during and after a storm.
Jessica Chace, Senior Meteorologist for the National Weather Service, will serve as keynote speaker. Her presentation will explain how the National Weather Service keeps the public informed in real time during storm events and helps guide messaging as threats move closer.
The expo will also feature an interactive question-and-answer panel with representatives from local utilities, law enforcement and emergency management. Attendees will be able to ask questions and receive updates on how agencies are preparing for hurricane season.
More information about county preparedness efforts is available through Okaloosa County and the National Weather Service.
