Highlands County Emergency Management

06/02/2026

🌱 Drought is about more than how much rain falls.

It's also about how much moisture remains in the soil, plants and vegetation over time.

Months of dry conditions can leave grasses, brush and trees vulnerable even after a few rainy days.

That's one reason fire officials continue monitoring wildfire conditions closely throughout the year.

The recent rainfall has helped, but Highlands County is still recovering from a prolonged period of dry conditions.

Please continue practicing outdoor fire safety and stay aware of local conditions.

06/01/2026

As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins, National Weather Service offices are offering FREE virtual tropical training July 27-30! 📝

⏰ Daily sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., & 7 p.m. EDT - choose the time best for you!

🌀 Sign up: weather.gov/jax/FTTW2026

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06/01/2026

We started hurricane season today with fairly quiet conditions in the tropical Atlantic as tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days. Find out more at https://hurricanes.gov/.

06/01/2026

Heads up Highlands County! A rare late season front will bring a Marginal Risk of severe weather along the Nature Coast on June 2. This will be associated with a line of storms that will push through during the evening and early overnight hours.

A rare late season front will bring a Marginal Risk of severe weather along the Nature Coast on June 2nd. This will be associated with a line of storms that will push through during the evening and early overnight hours.

06/01/2026

🌀 Hurricane season starts today!

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts today, June 1, and runs through Nov. 30. NOAA forecasters are predicting a below-normal season.

Here’s what forecasters are predicting:
• 8-14 named storms expected
• 3-6 hurricanes (winds 74+ mph)
• 1-3 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher)

Hurricane preparedness is critically important for the 2026 hurricane season, just as it is every year.

📱 Be sure to sign up for local alerts at http://bit.ly/hcbccalert

📋 Review our All-Hazards Guide: https://bit.ly/HCallhazards25

🥫 Build your disaster supply kit: https://www.floridadisaster.org

👉 Register for the Special Needs shelter: https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/

05/31/2026

💧 Why does wildfire risk sometimes remain high after it rains?

The answer is below the surface.

A single rain event may wet grass, leaves and the top layer of soil, but drought affects much deeper soil layers and vegetation.

After long periods of dry weather:
🔥 Trees and brush can remain stressed
🔥 Roots may still lack moisture
🔥 Dead vegetation can remain highly flammable
🔥 Wind and high temperatures can quickly dry surface fuels again

That's why emergency managers, firefighters and weather experts continue monitoring drought conditions even after significant rainfall.

Recent rain is encouraging, but wildfire prevention remains everyone's responsibility.

05/31/2026

🌧️ Recent rainfall across Highlands County is welcome news, and conditions are beginning to improve.

However, drought recovery doesn't happen overnight.

While rain helps moisten grasses and surface vegetation, it can take weeks or even months of consistent rainfall for deeper soil moisture levels to fully recover after an extended drought.

That means wildfire risk can remain elevated even when everything looks greener than it did a few days ago.

The recent rain is a step in the right direction, but continued caution and outdoor fire safety remain important throughout Highlands County.

🔥 Stay alert.
🔥 Follow local burn restrictions.
🔥 Be mindful of activities that could create sparks or open flames.

Small actions can help prevent wildfires while our area continues to recover.

05/29/2026

Special weather statement issued May 29, 2026, at 6:32 p.m. by US National Weather Service Tampa Bay Florida:

A strong thunderstorm will impact Highlands County through 7:15 p.m. EDT.

At 6:31 p.m. EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Sebring Regional Airport, or near Sebring, moving south at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include... Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, Sebring Regional Airport, Sylvan Shores, Lake Istokpoga, Brighton, Cornwell, Sebring Shores, Lake Josephine, Lorida, Avon Park Executive Airport, Avon Park Air Force Range, Crewsville, and Placid Lakes.

PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… If outdoors, consider seeking shelter indoors.

05/29/2026

Yesterday, Highlands County Emergency Management and Public Information attended two preparedness presentations – one with Volunteers of America and another at Highland Wheel Estates RV & Mobile Home Park. 🌪️

One important message shared at both presentations was simple: preparedness is a community effort.

Emergency responders and local agencies prepare year-round for disasters, but strong and resilient communities also depend on residents taking steps to prepare themselves, their families and their neighbors.

Talk with your family, friends, coworkers and community leaders about hurricane season plans, emergency supplies and how you can help one another during a disaster.

A simple conversation today could make a major difference during an emergency.

Preparedness starts before the storm – and it works best when the whole community works together.

☎️ Want a preparedness presentation for your community? Call 863-402-7600 (Option 3)

🌐 Get started: https://www.highlandsfl.gov/departments/PublicSafety/planprepare.php