JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida is famous for its beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and vibrant ecosystems. However, living in the Sunshine State also means facing the annual threat of ferocious hurricanes. Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30, bringing peak storm risks between mid-August and late October.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District recently conducted a simulated Hurricane tabletop exercise alongside state partners to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season.
With another hurricane season arriving, the Jacksonville District continues to strengthen its hurricane preparedness efforts through a planned tabletop exercise designed to bring personnel and partners together ahead of the 2026 Hurricane season.
“Emergency Management is always team effort,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Matthew Westcott. “When flooding impacts communities and people, our mission is to provide technical and operational support to local partners to help reduce risk and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.”
Emergency preparedness and response is primarily a state and local responsibility. However, in instances when the nature of the disaster exceeds the capabilities of state and local interests, the Corps of Engineers may provide help to save human life, prevent immediate human suffering or mitigate property damage.
USACE gives emergency assistance top priority and provides immediate response using every resource and expedited procedure available. Assistance is limited to the preservation of life and protection of residential and commercial developments, to include public and private facilities that provide public services.
According to Jason Engle, Jacksonville District Engineering Chief and Matt Taylor, the Jacksonville Dam Safety Program Manager, both co-planned the exercise and emphasized coordination, planning, and decision-making during a simulated storm, allowing participants to tackle authentic challenges of the Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee in advance.
Engle explained the exercise for Lake O and that preparation begins with understanding various practices and procedures that save lives, protect people, resources and critical infrastructure.
“Our biggest risk during hurricane season is ensuring the safety of our essential personnel and critical equipment,” Engle said. “We prepare extensively for scenarios where some team members must ride out the storm at key facilities to maintain operations, while also planning the relocation of equipment to protect our assets.”
The exercise allows the district to make critical decisions in advance, including what must remain on-site to support the mission, what should be moved out of harm's way, and how to sustain operations under pressure.
“These exercises help us refine our decision-making processes, so we know exactly what resources need to stay in place, what needs to be moved to safety before a storm makes landfall, and how to effectively integrate with our partner agencies to deliver a unified response,” Engle said.
That partnership reaches beyond the district.
Logan Wilkinson, Jacksonville District Emergency Management chief, said robust partnerships are vital to an effective response.
“During a hurricane, the district coordinates continuously with state, local, and federal partners through established emergency management frameworks, pre-planned agreements, and joint operation centers, with life safety as the top priority,” Wilkinson said. “Once a hurricane threatens or makes landfall, the district stands up its emergency operations center and embeds liaisons with state, local, and FEMA counterparts to maintain real-time information sharing and unified situational awareness.”
As response efforts grow, those partnerships guide how support is prioritized and delivered across affected areas.
“The district coordinates closely with county and city officials, state emergency operations centers, Tribal governments, and other federal partners to prioritize and sequence support,” Wilkinson said.
Savannah Hayes Lacy, Water Manager from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division manages water levels on Lake Okeechobee and said exercises like this provide personnel across the district with a clear understanding of how their roles contribute to the larger response effort.
“This type of exercise really helps me and my water management team to prepare for high water or dam safety issue events,” said Lacy.
“It helps us think through our roles and responsibilities as well as practice our processes. We feel much more prepared after exercises like this. More representatives lead to more muscle memory which is critical in an emergency to stay calm and effective.”
Wilkinson said these exercises are invaluable because they bring everyone around the same table — from seasoned professionals to new district leaders.
“It’s not just about understanding your own role; it’s about seeing how all the pieces fit together and the decision we make,” said Wilkinson.
The district mission is to implement the policies, guidance and procedures for responding to a natural disaster or national emergency under the authority of the District Engineer and Higher Headquarters.
Preparedness efforts persist year-round, ensuring the district can respond rapidly when required.
Wilkinson said the district practices and prepared for hurricane season all year round with various types of training to support communities when a storm threatens.
“We prepare, communicate, train and exercise with our state and local partners, keep emergency communication plans current, and maintain a 24/7 emergency operations center capability,” said Wilkinson.
That readiness enables the Jacksonville district to support missions such as flood control, temporary power, and infrastructure assessments when requested.
“We ask the public to stay informed, follow local evacuation guidance, and know their flood risk so that our efforts are as effective as possible when a hurricane approaches,” Engle said.
While storms are unpredictable, officials said the district’s preparation ensures it is ready to respond—mobilizing people, resources, and partners to back communities when it matters most.
The combination of warm waters and geographic location makes Florida particularly susceptible to powerful storms. Understanding the risks and how to prepare can make a significant difference in ensuring safety during hurricane season.
Because of its unique subtropical location, long coastline, and proximity to warm Atlantic and Gulf waters, the state is uniquely vulnerable to wind damage and severe storms.
Proper preparation is your best defense against a storm.
Tips to follow this localized guide and checklist to ensure your family, home, and pets are ready for severe weather if the need arise:
These simulations stress-test disaster response protocols to minimize vulnerabilities before major storms hit Florida's vulnerable coastlines.
What is a Hurricane?
Hurricanes are a type of tropical cyclone characterized by low pressure, high winds, and heavy rain. These storms are categorized based on their wind speeds using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
Category 1: 74-95 mph winds
Category 2: 96-110 mph winds
Category 3: 111-129 mph winds
Category 4: 130-156 mph winds
Category 5: 157+ mph winds
USACE Storm Operations
During the hurricane season, the district shifts resources to emergency management, working with local and regional partners to protect communities. Key disaster response capabilities include:
Temporary Power: Mobilizing emergency generators and temporary power experts to support critical public infrastructure.
Debris Management: Using pre-awarded contracts to accelerate debris clearance.
Temporary Roofing: Managing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Operation Blue Roof for damaged structures.
Flood Fighting & Inspection: Monitoring and evaluating flood control infrastructure—such as the Herbert Hoover Dike—and providing technical flood-fighting materials
Florida Preparedness Resources
In the wake of major recent hurricanes, the state of Florida urges all residents to maintain at least seven days of essential supplies. To streamline your preparations, use the following local and federal resources:
Emergency Checklists: Review the Florida Disaster Preparation Guide for supply checklists and evacuation routes.
National Guidelines: Check the Ready.gov Hurricane Guide for family emergency planning and disaster kit recommendations.
Storm Tracking: View live updates and storm predictions via the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricanes are an inevitable part of life in Florida, but with proper preparation and knowledge, you can minimize their impact on your life and property. Understanding the risks, staying informed, and having a solid emergency plan are key to weathering the storm safely. By taking these steps, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community during Florida’s hurricane season. Stay safe, stay prepared.
For more news, updates and information visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District district’s website at www.saj.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Jacksonvilledistrict, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JaxStrong.