MIAMI (CBS4) ― Hurricane Season is just around the corner and Governor Charlie Crist is urging all Floridians to prepare for the season which begins Sunday June 1st. That's why Gov. Crist has proclaimed this week, Hurricane Preparedness Week.

"If you call the Sunshine State home, now is the time to get a plan and get ready," said State Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate.

State and local emergency managers are hosting outreach events and expos from the Panhandle to the Keys o get Floridians ready for the annual season. The state kick-off event takes place Tuesday in St. Petersburg.

Here in South Florida, the American Red Cross, along with the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is hosting a Storm Prep Expo this weekend at the Miami Beach Convention Center (Hall C), located at 1901 Convention Center Drive.

Storm Prep Expo 2008 is a not-for-profit event aimed at raising hurricane preparedness awareness among Miami-Dade County residents. Miami-Dade County has not been affected by a major hurricane in the past three years. Experts are predicting an active 2008 hurricane season, so it is important that residents remain ready.

"June 1st marks the beginning of the 2008 Hurricane Season. As we all know, the best defense against hurricanes is to plan and prepare early. Even though Miami-Dade County is better prepared than ever to provide services to those residents and visitors in need before and after a hurricane strikes, government cannot do it all alone," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez. "We continue to urge residents to prepare their hurricane disaster kits and plan to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours following a storm."

"This is a great opportunity for residents to come out and make their final preparations for hurricane season," said C. Douglas Bass, director of the Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security.

Mayor Alvarez will hold his annual hurricane season kick-off news conference at the Expo on May 31st, at 11:00 a.m. Dozens of local, state and federal agencies will be on hand to inform residents about available services. Vendors will be selling hurricane supplies and conducting major giveaways, including free generators, vacations and other great prizes.

Special guests include former National Hurricane Center (NHC) Director Max Mayfield and current NHC Director Bill Read.  CBS4 Meteorologist David Bernard will also present a half-hour Hurricane Preparedness presentation on Sunday, June 1st, at 2:00 p.m.

Storm Prep Expo will also feature a family zone with fun activities for children, as well as a performance by the Florida Marlins Mermaids, police K-9 demonstrations, and more.

Storm Prep Expo Hours:

Saturday, May 31st, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 1st, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Admission is free.

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