PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — With supply chain hiccups and an above average hurricane season expected, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is asking drivers to do one thing this hurricane season: Keep your gas tank half full at all times.

Kevin Guthrie is entering his second year in the agency’s top spot. His hope is that if drivers heed his warning, it would ensure everyone has enough fuel to evacuate if needed without worrying about long lines or gas stations running short on supply due to a big rush.

“You don’t need to leave the state to safely evacuate,” he said. “Sometimes a few dozen miles to a friend or family member’s house will work.”

He’s also asking that families create an evacuation plan that would allow them to go to a friend’s house before heading to a shelter.

Guthrie says when a storm starts stirring up, the state first looks to the National Hurricane Center for information about which areas will be impacted. They then disseminate that information to every city and county so local jurisdictions can make evacuation and shelter plans.

“We actually want them to listen to those local emergency management directors first,” he said. “Those local city and county officials have the best knowledge about what’s going on in that area at that time.”

In order to prepare, the sales tax holiday continues through June 10. In addition to disaster prep items like generators and batteries, pet supplies are included tax free.