Emergency Resource Center

1. Storm Tracker

2. Evacuation Zones

3. NOAA Hurricane Preparedness

4. Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF., 78KB)

5. Family Communication Plan (PDF., 3MB)

6. Shelter Information

Other Helpful Tips

Below is a Hurricane Prep List from local Tampa Bay area weatherman, Denis Philips of ABC Action Weather.

1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still be used for dialing 911. Charge external battery backups. Glow sticks also provide light for a few hours. Stand them upright in a glass or a jar to make a lantern.
2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill them with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill them with water, and store them in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize.
3. Fill tubs and sinks with water. Cover sinks with saran wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill the washing machine and leave the lid up to store water.
4. Fill old empty bottles and other containers with water and keep them near sinks for washing hands.
5. Fill Tupperware with water and store in the freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a backup water supply.
6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with saran wrap. Store in the fridge. The rest you can store on the counter and use first before any water bottles are opened. Ice is hard to find following a storm.
7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter.
8. Cook meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for a day without power.
9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits. Avoid salty foods that may make you dehydrated.
10. Wash all dirty clothes and bedsheets in advance. Anything dirty will smell bad should the AC go off. You may need the items and if there is no AC, you’ll be sweating a lot. You’re going to want clean sheets.
11. Toss out any expired food, clean cat litter boxes, and empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor in case the AC goes out. If you don’t have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a community dumpster.
12. Bring in yard décor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Secure patio furniture and grills as best as possible.
13. Clean your environment so that you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area.
14. Scrub all bathrooms so that you are starting with a clean, odor-free environment. Store water-filled trash cans next to each toilet, or fill the tub with water, for flushing.
15. Place important documents and items in a backpack or small file box that is easy to locate and grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, a first aid kit, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves or large Ziploc bags to help protect important paper documents.
16. Make sure that you have cash on hand in case power outages disrupt business’ ability to accept credit cards.
17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for your pets.
18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.
19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee and other stuff besides just grilling food. Get an extra tank if possible.
20. Drop your AC in advance and lower temperatures in your refrigerator. You can change these back to normal following the storm.
21. Gather candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items. Keep them in an accessible area.
22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy cleaning wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for an extended period of time, you have to live with the mess you started with.
23. Pick your emergency safe place, such as a closet or underneath stairs. Store the items you’ll need in that location if you’re going to be bearing the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan out of paper or a paper plate in case the power goes out.
24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit.
25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don’t flush them.
26. Run y our dishwasher in advance so that you don’t risk having dirty, smelly dishes — and you may need clean containers for water storage. Remember: you’ll need clean water for brushing your teeth, bathing, cleaning your hands, etc.
27. Put a small suitcase or backpack in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also, put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you choose not to evacuate. Remember to pack for pets as well.
28. Check on local friends and family members and set-up emergency backup plans. Check in on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.
29. Remember, pets are family, too! Should you choose to evacuate, strive to take them with you.
30. Before the storm, unplug electrical devices. There will likely be power surges before and after the storm.
31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or car for when you run out.
32. Use plastic cups and paper plates when possible, so that you don’t waste water washing dishes.
33. If you have a water heater tank, remember that it can store up to 30 gallons of water in the case of an emergency.
34. Put water in balloons and store in the freezer. These make great ice packs.
35. It never hurts to photograph or video your living space and its contents. This will help you immensely should you ever need to file an insurance claim. If you’re making a video, be sure to state the date and time that your taking it.
36. Freeze a cup of water and place a penny on top of it. Keep this in your freezer. Should the power go out, if the penny remains on top of the ice, it means that your food is staying frozen. If the penny sinks to the bottom, the freezer thawed out and what was stored in there may be bad.
37. Hide from the wind, run from the water.
38. Don’t freak out — stay in tune with local news on your phone, using a battery powered radio, etc.