The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and for residents in the Tampa Bay area, the wait-and-see approach to storm planning isn't enough these days. Preparation is critical, and the following valuable resources may help you ride out the storm.
Hillsborough
A Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool is one of the features available from Hillsborough County’s Emergency Management. Information on evacuations, sandbag availability and shelter locations also are provided as well as an Emergency News Subscription Service.
Hillsborough’s EM also recently published its 2008 Hurricane Guide, the Official Guide for the Tampa Bay Area. The guide, available in both English and Spanish, is available at post offices, and will also be available at fire stations and libraries throughout Hillsborough. The guide includes information on evacuation zones and a full list of county shelters.
Manatee
The Manatee County Emergency Management All Hazards Survival Guide provides guidance on how residents can plan for any type of a disaster and shows how survival often depends on preparation.
Pinellas
The Pinellas County Official Hurricane Guide: Surviving the Storm can be accessed online at Pinellas County Emergency Management. The guide provides a wealth of information about storm preparation, including useful phone numbers and websites and advice on how to create a family plan and disaster survival kit.
Sarasota
Sarasota County offers residents a detailed guide to hurricane preparation, including information on what to do if you stay in your home during the storm.
Florida
Information on how Florida residents and visitors can prepare for disasters is presented by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The site includes Family Disaster Planning, county-by-county emergency management contacts, information on preparedness for the elderly, tips on in-home hurricane sheltering and a list of items for your disaster supply kit.