PSO’s Guide To Hurricane Season Preparations
Part 1
Living in Florida doesn’t guarantee beautiful weather year-round. In fact, we spend half the year bracing for severe storms. Yes, we’re talking about hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November. Preparing in advance reduces risks to your safety, and given that community safety is the Pasco Sheriff’s Office’s #1 priority, we’re sharing our go-to preparation tips to help you stay safe this hurricane season.
Know Your Risks: Despite hurricanes being a shared experience among Floridians, their effects affect us all in different ways. Depending on where you live in Pasco County, you may be at greater risk for flooding, storm surges, strong winds, tornadoes, and other threats. A good place to start is to determine whether you live in a flood-prone area and/or an evacuation zone. Visit the National Weather Service website to view their flood exposure map, which identifies hazard zones. For those living in Pasco County, you can learn your evacuation zone at the Pasco County Government website. Please note that living further inland does not guarantee you won’t experience these dangers. Another step in assessing your individual risks is to identify weaknesses in your home’s structure and explore ways to strengthen them, such as installing storm shutters or placing sandbags and tarps outside exterior doors.
Tracking and Updates: Uncertainty on where to find storm-related information can leave you feeling in the dark. PSO recommends following the National Weather Service, which frequently updates its tropical cyclone maps, providing accurate and timely information. Since a storm’s path can change quickly, it’s essential to monitor these tracking updates. Downloading the NWS app or bookmarking their website provides easy access to this critical information. Local resources in our area, such as shelters, sandbag locations, and transportation information, are announced on the Pasco County Government’s website and social media pages. PSO often shares information from these sources on our social media pages and news site, along with photos from our members related to storm damage and road closures.
Build An Emergency Kit: You wouldn’t pack for a vacation on the day you leave— the same rules apply to hurricanes. The time to prepare your emergency kit is now, not when the storm is on your doorstep. Make sure to stock up enough supplies to last each family member for a few days. Essential items to include are a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and medications. Don’t forget to pack essentials for your pets too! Make copies of important documents, including insurance information, and store them in a waterproof container. To ensure you have all the essentials in your kit, visit Ready.gov/kit.
Secure Your Home: As a storm gets closer, start preparing your property. Secure or bring indoors loose outdoor items that could become projectiles. Clear away debris, such as fallen branches, to prevent damage. Trim trees and shrubs and keep drains and gutters clear. If you live in a flood-prone area, prepare sandbags in advance. Unplug non-essential electrical equipment to guard against power surges. Freeze water in bags to keep refrigerator items cool during outages. Lastly, ensure all exterior doors and windows are secured.
Forming And Sharing Your Plans: Whether you plan to shelter at home or evacuate, please remember to share your plans with friends and family. Let them know where you’re going, what time you expect to arrive, and when you plan to return. Consider making backup plans in case your original plans fall through, and once again, update loved ones on any changes. In the event of power or communication outages, pick a meet-up location in advance so people know where to find you. While making your plans, take your family’s unique needs into account, such as disabilities, language barriers, or pets. For example, not all shelters accept animals, so finding those that do ahead of time will save you stress during your evacuation. Before leaving or sheltering in place, be sure to check in on your neighbors to ensure they are prepared as well.
Preparing in advance can save lives once the hurricane arrives. While this may sound extreme, it’s important to remember that tropical cyclones, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, are extreme events. Now that you’re prepared for the storm, you might be wondering what to expect once it hits. Next month, PSO will continue its focus on hurricane season by highlighting safety measures to take during the storm and precautions to follow immediately after it passes.
Until next time, stay safe, Pasco!
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