Hurricane Safety

Learn how to keep your home and family safe during a hurricane

The 2022 Hurricane season is here! From June 1st to November 30th we should be prepared to weather a few storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast up to 21 named storms possible this year.

Despite the possibilities, it is important to have a plan on how you and your family prepare and respond to all types of disasters. Take time to review your current plan to see if it needs to be updated or if you don’t have a plan, now is the perfect time to form one.

The links below are an excellent resource to help you prepare for the inventible storms that will blow our way. It is also important that you learn your evacuation zone and flood risk. Evacuation Zones have been updated this year for Hillsborough County. You can locate your zone in Hillsborough County here: 2022 Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool and you can also subscribe to the county alert system by visiting Hillsborough County – HCFL Alert.

Hillsborough County – Stay Safe has a lot of great information on Storm Safety. Topics covered include how to prepare and what you need to know before, during, and after the storm.

Storms can be scary and new for children. Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov also has lots of resources including kid-friendly resources Welcome to Ready Kids! | Ready.gov and this kit: Prepare with Pedro | Ready.gov to help prepare our kids for a disaster in a fun and interactive way.

If you own a pet, it’s a good idea to pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation. Local animal shelters may be able to offer advice on what to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home.

Key Takeaways:
Determine your best protection from high winds and flooding. Have a plan to evacuate and a plan to shelter safely. Take time now to gather the supplies and knowledge you will need when the storm arrives.

Additional Hurricane preparation guides and websites:
Hillsborough: https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/library/hillsborough/media-center/documents/emergency-management/hillsborough-disaster-planning-guide-english.pdf
Pinellas: https://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/allhazardguide.htm
Pasco: https://www.pascocountyfl.net/3737/Hurricane-Preparedness