Tampa Area, Florida Monitors Approach of Tropical Storm Fay

Although the tropical system is far from the Tampa Bay area right now, the National Hurricane Center is forecasting that Tropical Storm Fay may impact Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties sometime Tuesday or Wednesday.

Since there is a distinct possibility that the area may experience hurricane force winds if the storm continues on its forecast track, residents should:

• Confirm their evacuation zone
• Review their personal/family disaster plan
• Prepare a survival kit
• Secure important documents
• Prepare their home and yard for storm conditions

Each county in the Tampa Bay area hosts an emergency management website:

• Hillsborough
• Manatee (click on Emergency Management)
• Pinellas
• Sarasota

These websites provide information on hurricane preparedness, evacuation zones and shelters, evacuation services for those with special needs and pet shelters as well as helpful recovery information that residents will find valuable once a storm has passed.