By Kyle LoJacono
June 1 marks the start of the hurricane season in Florida and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting 12-18 named storms this year, above the normal six to 10.
Last year there were 19 named storms, which include hurricanes and tropical storms, seven of which hit mainland North America, according to the center. There were 259 deaths directly related to those storms and about $11.5 billion worth of damage.
“The United States was fortunate last year,” said Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator. “Winds steered most of the season’s tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines. However, we can’t count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook.”
While the Tampa Bay area has seen a relatively low number of storms hitting directly in the last few years, local and national emergency management and fire rescue groups are strongly urging residents to prepare for the worst.
“There are three sure things that are going to happen to you if you live in Florida,” said Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade. “Death, taxes and hurricane season. If you’re not planning, then you’re going to lose out when it comes time that you have to face these problems.
“You really can’t be too prepared,” Wade continued. “Buy extra food. Buy extra drinking water, batteries and first aid supplies. You’ll eventually use those supplies anyway, so it’s better to have them stocked up before a storm.”
Wade suggested having roofs, windows and doors inspected and to make upgrades like installing storm shutters to limit damage from a strong storm. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers similar advice, but adds that there are ways to prevent property damage.
“In both our post-disaster investigations and laboratory work, we have seen first hand that there are techniques to prevent damage from hurricanes,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. “There is no great mystery surrounding how to better equip residential and commercial structures for an active hurricane season.”
These techniques are demonstrated at www.disastersafety.org.
The season lasts until Nov. 30, with September being the peak month. For additional information on preparing for a storm in Pasco, call the county’s Emergency Services Department at (813) 929-2750 or (352) 521-4274. In Hillsborough, call the county’s Fire Rescue at (813) 272-6600.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue released the following tips for staying safe and prepared during hurricane season:
–Develop a family plan. Know how you will respond should a disaster be declared or an evacuation recommendation given. Time is of the essence, so you should plan ahead so you will know what to do.
–Make an emergency kit. It should include your medications, important papers like insurance information and personal identification, entertainment like cards or a favorite toy and some clean clothing.
–Know your evacuation zone. There are five designated evacuation levels that are vulnerable to storm surge. Know if you live in one of these zones and have a plan for where you will go, if you need to evacuate. Be aware that everyone living in a mobile home must evacuate at all evacuation levels.
–Be aware of your evacuation route. If you need to evacuate, you do not need to travel far. You just need to get outside of the evacuation zone. Make arrangements ahead of time with family members or a friend. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get out of your zone because the roads will be very busy during evacuations.
–Plan to have enough food, drink and medicine to last at least three to five days after a disaster hits. The roads may be blocked and water, sewer and power may be knocked out by storm damage.
–If you have physical or mental conditions that require special care, be sure to pre-register for a special needs medical shelter where professional medical care can be provided during the emergency.
–Have a plan for your pet. A Fritz Institute Survey found that 44 percent of the people who did not evacuate for Hurricane Katrina stayed at least in part because they did not want to leave their pets behind. Call your county’s emergency management office to find out where the pet shelters are in your jurisdiction.
Thunderstorm seminar June 11
The East-West Animal Hospital, 1524 US 41 in Lutz, will host a seminar on thunderstorm phobia in pets on Saturday, June 11 from 10-11:30 a.m. It will focus on how to treat and prevent pets from being scared of storms. Free refreshments will be served. To reserve a seat, call (813) 948-6534.
