(Atlanta) - Atlanta-based FirstKey Homes has released a list of helpful safety tips to encourage residents to prepare for potentially hazardous weather conditions that are expected this week in Florida’s Big Bend region, where the state’s panhandle meets Florida’s peninsula. 

The National Hurricane Center believes the storm – anticipated to be named Helene – will reach winds of 115 mph before landfall, making it a major Category 3 storm. The weather event is expected to intensify into a hurricane by Wednesday and make landfall on Thursday, according to the hurricane center. Forecasters have warned it could result in life-threatening storm surge and heavy rain.
 
FirstKey Homes recommends that all residents consider the following:

• Assemble a hurricane kit containing non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, medications, a weather radio, batteries, chargers, and pet needs.
• Create a family emergency plan, including shelter arrangements and evacuation routes.
• Register for local weather alerts and stay updated with weather reports, as conditions can change rapidly.
• Be aware of important safety guidelines before operating a portable generator. Visit the Generator Safety and Best Practices section on the FirstKey Homes Help Center for details.

Helene will be the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and the fourth to make landfall in the United States. 

When major weather events are forecasted, FirstKey Homes monitors conditions and projections, and its employees participate in emergency planning. FirstKey Homes recommends that residents follow the directives of state and local officials on all safety matters, such as evacuation orders. For more information about hurricane preparedness and safety, please visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

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About FirstKey Homes

FirstKey Homes, LLC, is a privately owned single-family rental home property management company with corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. With a mission to give our family of residents a place to call home, FirstKey Homes provides safe, affordable, and well-maintained homes located in 29 markets across the West, Midwest, and Southeast. FirstKey Homes manages approximately 53,000 homes through local operations in 14 markets nationwide.

Contact:

FirstKey Homes

Alex Horwitz

770-557-5834