TAMPA, Fla. — As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season kicks off, survival experts from Project DYNAMO, a veteran-led nonprofit, which has rescued more than 7,000 people from some of the most dangerous areas in the world, are sharing critical advice to help people prepare for what could be another destructive year.
With successful life-saving missions conducted in hurricane-ravaged Florida, flood-stricken North Carolina and wildfire zones like Maui, Project DYNAMO’s team is urging individuals and families to take action now, before the crisis strikes or the first storm makes landfall.
“Preparedness isn’t just about supplies, it’s about having a plan. In a real crisis, knowing what to do and having the right tools can save you and your family.” said Mario Duarte, CEO of Project DYNAMO. “If the roads wash away, how will you evacuate? If the power is out for days, is your generator tested, fueled and safely located?”
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Duarte served as an aviation emergency manager deployed from Houston, Texas, to support evacuation and relief efforts. The devastation demanded unprecedented coordination, and his role in moving people and supplies under extreme conditions was crucial.
While most preparedness tips talk about evacuating, sometimes that is simply not an option or it may be too late due to unexpected circumstances. For example, during Hurricane Charlie and Hurricane Ian, forecasters repeatedly told Floridians that Tampa was going to take the hit.
As a result, people from the Tampa Bay area made plans to evacuate to hotels in Fort Myers and along I-75 in Southwest Florida. When those storms made last-minute turns and made landfall further south near Fort Myers, many people in Southwest Florida had nowhere to evacuate.
Duarte suggests the following tips to aid in being prepared for this hurricane season or the next disaster:
- Test and maintain generators now, well before any watches or warnings are issued. If it requires a battery to start, make sure to test and replace, if needed.
- Store fuel safely and in compliance with local regulations.
- Emergency go-bags should be packed in advance.
- Include essential items like government-issued IDs, medications, first-aid kit, important documents, flashlights and cash. (In disasters, cash is king. Credit cards won’t work when power outages occur.)
- Since communications will likely be knocked offline, consider purchasing a personal locator beacon (PLB) or EPIRB, which are also valuable life-saving tools to keep if you own a boat. These can be bought for under $500.
- Handheld GMRS radios are a great way for families to communicate.
- Have extra batteries for all battery operated devices.
- Starlink is another great option for internet and wifi-calling. Project DYNAMO has used Starlink for rescue missions in Ukraine, Florida, Maui, North Carolina and Haiti. Plans start at $50 a month, with hardware at $499.
Duarte also stresses the importance of identifying secondary evacuation routes in case major roads become impassable and encourages people to stay informed by following trusted weather alerts and emergency communication channels.
“When a disaster strikes, we have seen where roads and complete towns have been washed away. You want to make sure you have thought of more than just one route. If a road is gone, you can bet that street signs and mailboxes will also likely be gone, so having a familiarity with the overall area and planning more than one way to get to safety can come in handy,” said Duarte.
Project DYNAMO’s team is composed of military veterans and seasoned rescue professionals who have operated in war zones and disaster areas worldwide. During some of the most extreme conditions, including Category 4 hurricanes, the organization has executed complex extractions when traditional emergency services were unavailable or overwhelmed.
“There is no substitute for early action,” Duarte said. “When disaster hits, every second matters. We’ve seen firsthand how the smallest preparations can mean the difference between life and death.”
To learn more about Project DYNAMO visit projectdynamo.net.
About Project Dynamo:
Founded during the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan in 2021, Project DYNAMO is an international search, rescue, aid and assistance 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Tampa, Florida with worldwide operations. Project DYNAMO operates where the United States government cannot, or does not. The primary objective of Project DYNAMO is to provide assistance to those impacted in disaster areas and conflict zones throughout the world. Notably, Project DYNAMO conducted the first air-rescue missions from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control, and has negotiated the release and exfiltrated numerous Americans from captivity and false imprisonment.
***Survival experts from Project DYNAMO are available for media interviews to discuss hurricane preparedness. Please contact christy.monahan@judgepr.com or call 813.279.8335 to book someone.***