Although Northeast Florida dodged Isaac, the threat of a major storm in the more than one month of the hurricane season remaining is very real.

“Maybe nothing happened this time, but we want to make sure we don’t lose our guards.  It’s still early,” says Red Cross of Northeast Florida Public Support Director Christian Smith.

She says they are breathing a small sigh of relief because the brunt of Isaac skirted around the region, but her Red Cross chapter has still sent a number of volunteers to the panhandle and other regions more directly affected by the storm.  She says at least 14 people have been deployed, although a lot of the remaining Red Cross workers here are still supporting those relief efforts at a distance.

She says one of the best ways to help with disaster relief, is to be prepares for a storm to begin with.

“Unless we have some significant damage or activity in your own community, sometimes we all get really comfortable,” she says.

Smith says simple steps, like keeping a storm kit on hand with essentials like batteries and flash lights, can help keep you and your family safe.

There is still more than one month left to the hurricane season, although Smith says your disaster prep should go even beyond that.

“It’s not just about hurricanes and flooding, it’s about a power outage and a wildfire,” she says.

The Red Cross works closely with other disaster relief agencies like FEMA, and Smith says that network of support and volunteers both between the agencies and in the community is vital to getting through the storms.