The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Construction to reroute U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes

By

(Mike Camunas)

The northbound U.S. 41 left turn lane to Sunterra Drive, in Land O’ Lakes, will close for reconstruction work beginning around 7 a.m. on June 5. Northbound U.S. 41 access to Sunterra Drive is expected to be closed approximately into the last week of June.

Access to Sunterra Drive will continue to be available from southbound U.S. 41, while northbound drivers can access Sunterra Drive by taking a U-turn onto southbound U.S. 41 at the Ensemble Boulevard intersection or by continuing north and turning left onto Asbel Drive to access the Tierra Del Sol and Asbel communities.

For information on this construction, visit https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/257/256324-2-52-01.

Published June 07, 2023

Cyber breach of Hillsborough Elections Office affects 58,000

By

The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office has sent out notices to 58,000 people whose personal data appears to have been breached through criminal cyber activity.

The elections office initially reported on May 3 that it was working with federal, state and local law enforcement officials to investigate an illegal data breach.

The office released an update on that investigation last week.

“The investigation has determined that an unauthorized user appears to have illegally accessed and copied files containing personal identification information, such as social security or driver license numbers, primarily from files used to conduct voter registration list maintenance,” according to a news release from Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office.

“Voter registration list maintenance is the state-mandated process by which the office continually reviews its voter roll to identify necessary updates,” the release adds.

“It’s important to note that the voter registration system and the ballot tabulation system, which have additional layers of security, were not accessed,” the release continues.

Notification letters went out last week to alert those affected.

Since this is an ongoing criminal investigation, no additional information can be shared at this time, the release added.

When the office initially reported the criminal cyber activity, Latimer informed the public, by saying: “We learned that an unauthorized user illegally accessed files on a shared drive on our network and we immediately notified federal, state and local law enforcement partners, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI, MS-ISAC, the Florida Department of State, and the cybersecurity division of Hillsborough County’s Information and Innovation Office.”

At that time, Latimer also said: “It’s very important to note that the unauthorized user did not have access to our voter registration system or our ballot tabulation system. Our voter registration system has multiple layers of protection, monitoring and redundancy. Our tabulation system does too, and uses a stand-alone, air-gapped server that is not connected to anything else. That server has not been compromised in any way.”

Published June 07, 2023

Rejuvenation planned for Polly Touchton Park

By

Polly Touchton would be proud.

Ruth Embry “Miss Polly” Touchton is the namesake of the small, but beloved park in Dade City. She’s also the grandmother of Tom Touchton, a native of Dade City and the person spearheading a much-anticipated initiative for the park situated between Fifth and Seventh streets, and Bougainvillea and Southview avenues.

Polly Touchton Park, located between Fifth and Seventh streets, and Bougainvillea and Southview avenues, in Dade City, is set to have a full renovation and redesign. Besides sprucing up the park, the improvements include adding sidewalks, a small separation wall, swing benches, new benches and tables for picnics, and parking. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

Touchton unveiled impressive renovation plans for the park during the May 23 Dade City Commission meeting. The project will completely redesign the park that hugs the Dade City Garden Club and greets drivers at the apex of U.S. 98 and Seventh Street.

“This could really become the jewel of the city,” Touchton said to the commissioners and a packed room of supporters, including many garden club members. “This park already welcomes you into the city and honors my family, which came to Dade City 125 years ago.”

The all-encompassing design for the improvements include rebuilding the iconic sign seen on Seventh Street. The biggest change, however, involves the installation of a small separation wall that essentially will split the park in half. 

The wall is climbable for children and includes two sets of stairs that lead down to serpentine sidewalks. The park also will have swing benches and new picnic areas.

Tom Touchton, who is Polly’s grandson, spearheaded the effort for the renovation of the small park in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)

City commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the renovation plan.

It joins eight other projects, totaling about $30 million in city funds, that are currently in the works in Dade City.

The Touchton Renovation Project has a “budget (that) is an ongoing moving target with the addition of stormwater improvements,” according to Jason Warrenfeltz, the city’s public works director.

“We really wanted to keep the beauty and the trees of the park, which provide a nice canopy, and also some memorial trees and some of the oldest in the city,” Tom Touchton said. “For four generations now, my family has been involved in parks and projects in Dade City. It was important to me, with the park’s renovation, to recognize the positive influences and values of my family throughout my life here, as well as the examples they set through their civic and business contributions to Dade City over many decades.”

Ruth Embry ‘Miss Polly’ Touchton is the namesake of the small, but beloved park in Dade City. (Courtesy of Tom Touchton)

The park is named after “Miss Polly” Touchton, when the city named it in 1986. With the renovation, plaques will be installed giving the history of the Touchtons in Dade City, as well as honoring Tom’s grandparents — Polly and Charles Floyd Touchton Sr. — and his parents — Charles Jr. and Thelma Touchton.

More than 125 years ago, Tom Touchton’s great-grandparents arrived by train in Dade City, with eight kids in tow — seven boys and one girl, Polly.

Polly was a charter member of the Dade City’s Woman’s Club in 1909, a Red Cross volunteer in World War I, the longest surviving member (77 years) of the First Presbyterian Church of Dade City where she was a Sunday School teacher and, of course, also a charter member of the Dade City Garden Club.

The city commissioners were blown away by the redesign plans.

“I think this will beautify the gateway to the city,” Mayor Jim Shive said. “It’s already seen when you enter the city from U.S. 301 and now it will be an incredibly beautiful park to welcome people to Dade City.”

Fellow commissioner Ann Cosentino agreed.

“Seeing these plans and this presentation, it’s like Christmas morning all over again,” she said. “It’s just beautiful to see (the plans) laid out for us, and I think every Dade City resident is going to love it.”

Published June 07, 2023

Pasco keeps the focus on creating nicer-looking neighborhoods

By

The Pasco County Commission is continuing its discussions regarding new rules for residential development of small lots and for townhomes.

The issues were thoroughly discussed at the county board’s May 23 meeting and the board expects to take up the issues again at its first meeting in July.

In the interim, county staff and stakeholders will continue to refine proposed rules, and individual board members are expected to go on tours with representatives from the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA) to see what can be achieved with design and landscaping.

County board members have been pushing hard for developments with less concrete, and more green space and trees. They don’t want rows of houses or townhomes that all look the same.

Standards are being drafted in Pasco County, in an effort to create better-looking neighborhoods. The Pasco County Commission is calling for residential developments to have more green space, trees and parking, plus variety in architectural features. (File)

Instead, they want the use of architectural details, landscaping and improved parking to create more aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods.

A new law passed by the Florida Legislature has preempted local control over architectural features.

The county board can’t dictate them, but developers can voluntarily include them. They don’t have to, but the board doesn’t have to approve 40- and 50-foot lots, said David Goldstein, Pasco’s chief assistant county attorney.

County board members have made it clear that they want developers to build a better-looking product, if they want permission to build on smaller lots.

Nectarios Pittos, director of the county’s planning and development department, said county staff has been meeting with stakeholders and have discussed issues involving lot standards, enhanced landscaping requirements, rights of way, driveways and parking.

At the same time, the development community has been busy coming up with standards they believe will address the county board’s concerns.

County board members have expressed displeasure with the appearance of communities where houses are on 40-foot lots.

“Why don’t you just do away with the 40-foot lots and make it 50s?” Commissioner Ron Oakley asked. But the county board member acknowledged that he’s aware that lots that are 40-feet wide can work in some communities.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she won’t approve 40-foot lots for houses with the garage out front, but would approve them when the garage is out back.

Rear-loaded homes are more expensive to build.

“I am on record. I cannot support a 40-foot front-load,” Starkey said.

But she added, efforts continue to address the additional cost of that type of development. For instance, talks continue on the required width of alleys to accommodate fire trucks.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano told the stakeholders if they are building in other jurisdictions that have different rules, the county would appreciate that information.

In general, county staff has been looking at the possibility of minimum lot widths of 45 feet, or 42 feet with enhanced landscaping requirements.

Martin Frame, incoming president of the TBBA, told the board that the hope is to have a minimum lot width of 42, with enhanced landscaping requirements.

“I’d love to be able to tour each one of you through some of these projects, so I can show you real-life examples,” he told board members.

Increasing the minimum lot width size to 45 feet, from 40, would result in a reduction of about 10% to 15% of the lots in a community, depending on the configuration, Frame said.

“You’re probably talking about $15,000 of costs that would be added for each additional lot by expanding this out to a 45-foot lot, versus the current 40-foot lots today.

“That cost goes directly to the consumer, so there’s an affordability aspect to this,” he said.

“With the 42-foot lot, what we’re trying to do with the enhanced landscaping package, we’re trying to give a very attractive street appearance and create a nice streetscape, which I think is a lot of the issues that the board has had over the past couple of years when a lot of these communities have been built.

“A lot of the examples that I’ve seen have got sparse trees, sparse landscaping, a lot of parking – the townhomes, where all you see is concrete and cars.

“What we did here was create some standards, over and above where we are today,” Frame said.

Requiring shade trees — not ornamentals — will have a greater visual impact, he said.

Frame told the board that many stakeholders have been involved in drafting proposed standards and they spent about 200 hours in the effort.

Commissioner Seth Weightman told his colleagues he’d like the board to decide what the side yard setbacks should be, rather than leaving that open to negotiation, project by project.

Doing that would eliminate a lot of the back-and-forth, Weightman said.

The board also discussed a need to change townhome standards.

Many of the steps recommended for improving the appearance of townhomes are the same steps as those suggested for single-family developments.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, who specializes in land use and zoning issues, said “we’re hoping that some of this greenspace and landscaping stuff will find its way into the code very quickly.”

Hobby also thanked the stakeholders who spent many hours trying to come up with standards that address the board’s concerns.

Chairman Mariano also expressed appreciation for the stakeholders’ efforts.

“I think we’re all trying to build a great county here, with the best products we can,” Mariano said.

Published June 07, 2023

Take a turn at Durney Key

By

Pasco County has its very own Beer Can Island.

It just has a different name.

In Pasco, it’s called Durney Key — a small island off the coast of Port Richey — just a mile west of the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River.

Durney Key, off the coast of Port Richey in the Gulf of Mexico, is a small island a mile west of the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River and a popular hangout for boaters, kayakers and water adventurers. Durney Key is not a designated park or preserve, but is a popular spot for visitors, especially on the weekends. They drop anchors and spend the day on the beach with families, pets, water crafts, activities and cooking out. (Mike Camunas)

It is not a designated park or preserve.

In fact, one could call it ‘No Man’s Land,’ however, that would be misleading because it is quite popular and generally has someone hanging around it, be it men, women, kids, even pets.

It’s a modest spoil island that is lush with trees and vegetation. Its shallow water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling or just doing what Floridians do best: hanging around in the water.

It’s an easy boat or watercraft ride out to Durney Key and it even includes a little bit of state history.

Visiting this small island is definitely worth the trip.  

A key from the mayor
Durney Key is named after John Durney, who was mayor of Port Richey from 1967 to 1975 and also mayor of New Port Richey from 1978 to 1980.

During his tenures, Durney was a strong advocate for dredging the boat channel from the Pithlachascotee River into the Gulf of Mexico. When it was finally done, Durney Key was created as a spoil area.

Oddly enough, Pasco County does not claim ownership of Durney Key, however, according to a sign on the small island, it is owned by Florida.

It did not gain official status until 2007 when the U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted to accept the name locals have always used.

Durney Key is a small island, but has a couple of short trails, plenty of tree coverage and large enough trees to hang hammocks and seating apparatuses. It even has a couple of fire pits.

That being said, no one regulates the spot, which may explain its popularity.

No permits are required to anchor, hang out, even camp on the small island. There is nothing to prohibit temporary shelters, cooking, bringing alcoholic beverages or pets.

It’s good fishing, too.

Surrounding grass flats harbor lots of trout, while snook use the clean western beach for summer spawning. Mackerel and sharks patrol the perimeter during spring and summer, while schools of big redfish often gather nearby.

Reaching Durney Key requires a watercraft, and most are outboard motor boats or pontoon boats. But there are plenty of kayakers and paddle boarders who make the trek, including yours truly.

The most convenient launch point is nearby Brasher Park, at the west end of Koons Road or at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, located off U.S. 19.

It should be noted, however, that this paddling trip, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, is for more experienced paddlers.

Stilt houses, built in the early 1900s, sporadically dot around Durney Key off the coast of Port Richey. Working fishermen built these camps above the water, both as a place to store the mullet they caught and to seek shelter during storms. At one point, there were 24 stilt homes. Now, just eight remain.

Stilted history
While there is plenty of sun and fun at Durney Key, there’s also a bit of history.

Dotted around the small island are historic stilt houses that are a reminder of the working Florida fishermen, who built camps above the water, both as a place to store the mullet they caught and to seek shelter during storms. 

Originally built in the early 1900s, there were about 24 on the water, but Hurricane Gladys destroyed many of them in 1968. Just eight remain now.

All are privately owned and have been grandfathered in by the state Legislature, which holds the leases to the land. No new houses can be built, though damaged ones can be repaired. Sadly there are none available for rent and climbing onto the houses is not allowed.

Paddling and snorkeling around the houses, however, is allowed.

Seclusion by popularity
Durney Key is basically an island paradise that can be enjoyed by all, especially those that come out and claim it for the afternoon or sunny day. 

It can get a little crowded, maybe even a little rowdy, but boaters and visitors are remarkably diligent in keeping this slice of watery exploration and paradise pristine. 

While it’s still not a real park, with say trash cans, there is no trash, as everyone is very good about taking out what they bring in. Visitors are also very respectable by working to make sure the island doesn’t erode over time, or with use, either.

Though no one or agency might own Durney Key, it does belong to everyone.

It is, as a paradise should be, available to everyone.

Durney Key
Details: A small island off the coast of New Port Richey that has become a popular docking spot for boaters, as well as kayakers and paddleboarders. Salty Dog Kayak Rentals, which operates out of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, occasionally will take a paddling tour out there. Making the trek is recommended only for experienced kayakers and paddlers. For more information on kayak tours, visit SaltyDogKayakRentals.com.

Published June 07, 2023

A large piece of driftwood makes for a picturesque, and unofficial marker, of Durney Key off the coast of Port Richey.
Durney Key can be reached by kayak or paddleboard, with docking spots at nearby Brasher Park and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more to paddle out to the small island.

Pasco’s library system is honored as Florida’s ‘Library of the Year’

By

There was a time when the Pasco County Commission — facing tough financial times — made deep spending cuts to the county’s library system.

But the economy has improved, allowing increased funding for libraries.

Plus, taxpayers chose to invest in Pasco’s libraries by overwhelmingly supporting the passage of a general obligation bond issue to pay for major upgrades.

Readers attending a ‘Novels on Tap’ session enjoy discussing the reading selection at Wicked Pour in Odessa during the monthly meetup. The book club, held at a local brewery and organized by the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, gives readers age 21 and over a chance to get together and share their thoughts on the book, over a few adult beverages. (Mike Camunas)

Beyond new furniture, redesigned spaces and improved technology, the system also has continued to hone its programming to offer a vast array of activities, space for community meetings and other offerings that go far beyond the old-fashioned notion that a library is just a place to go to check out books.

Of course, patrons continue to check out books, but they also take advantage of wide-ranging opportunities to learn and have fun.

Patrons aren’t the only ones who recognize what the system has to offer.

The Florida Libraries Association (FLA) recently named the Pasco County Libraries system as the state’s Library of the Year, during the 2023 FLA awards ceremony.

On its website, the FLA reported that: “The Pasco County Library System provides innovative services, materials, programs, instructional classes, and informational events relevant to their populations.

“Most notably, the creative development of their library spaces has earned them the Library of the Year award. 

“An ambitious makerspace initiative with heavy citizen input has added a custom makerspace to almost every library branch in the system. From ‘The Foundry’ woodshop at the Land O’ Lakes Library to the ‘Regency Fresh Test Kitchen’ in New Port Richey, citizens now have open access spaces to gather, learn new skills, and share ideas. 

“The system’s newest branch, the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center (in Odessa) has multiple makerspaces and a 250-seat theater shared with the K-8 school next door.

“These unique spaces and their top-quality staff promote access to information, community, education, and culture throughout Pasco County and provide a blueprint of the 21st century Florida library.”

The popularity of Pasco’s libraries is evident.

Patrons couldn’t wait for the completion of renovations at the New River Branch Library, in Wesley Chapel; the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, in Land O’ Lakes; and, most recently the Hugh Embry Branch Library, in Dade City.

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, referenced in the state award, is a very busy place — offering a steady stream of activities and learning opportunities for people of all ages.

Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa shared the news of the library system’s award during the Pasco County Commission’s May 23 meeting.

Carballa was clearly delighted by the recognition that his staff and the county’s system received.

“We’re very, very proud of the work that our library team does.

“We’re really happy and proud for those folks to win this great honor. Hats off to the team, there,” the county administrator said.

Published June 07, 2023

Dade City swears in new city commissioner

By

It didn’t take long for Dade City to fill its city commissioner vacancy.

After interviewing five candidates, the city commission selected Lisa Simon and swore in the fairly new town resident on May 23.

Simon, who moved to Dade City from Jacksonville in 2021, fills the Group 4 position vacated by Knute Nathe.

Lisa Simon is sworn in as Dade City Commissioner Group 4 position at the May 23 City Commission Meeting. (Mike Camunas)

Nathe, a Dade City native, resigned to serve as a Pasco County Judge on April 13, and his term was set to end in April 2024.

Nathe also was mayor pro tem.

Simon, a former preschool teacher and a real estate agent, joins Mayor Jim Shive and commissioners Normita Woodard, Scott Black and Ann Cosentino on the panel.

“I would like to thank her family because this can also be a time-consuming position,” Shive told the packed city commission meeting room. “We are thankful and grateful for her stepping up and helping her community.”

Simon has been attending city commission meetings regularly, since she and her husband of 39 years moved to Dade City.

“I decided to put my money where my mouth is and I couldn’t be more excited to get started,” Simon said. “It’s a little daunting, but I am really ready to get to work.”

Others who were interviewed for the city commission seat were Clyde Carter, Jere Ferguson, Michael Stout and Steve Van Gordon.

In joining the commission, Simon expressed her appreciation for the support of her family, friends and the city, as well as her fellow commissioners.

Before moving to town, she and her husband looked all over for a new home. They decided on Dade City because they fell in love with its small-town feel.

“And then we pull up and come into town seeing all the signs that said, ‘Keep Dade City Rural’ and we’re like, ‘Uh oh. What have we done?’” Simon said. “But I started going to meetings and getting involved and just met some great people. What I learned from them is that they were concerned that the city was moving in the right direction and making sure that growth in Dade City was done the right way.”

In her first meeting after being sworn in, the New Orleans native, mother of five and soon-to-be grandma of five was able to partake in a handful of votes.

Those actions included approving:

  • Renovation plans for Polly Touchton Park
  • A name change from Garvin Place Road to Finnerty Way
  • A unanimous promotion of commissioner Woodard to the position of mayor pro tem

Published June 07, 2023

A pause for reflection and gratitude

By

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United Sates for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It was originally known as Decoration Day.

The nonprofit Flags for the Fallen was established on May 14, 2012 for the sole purpose of ensuring that an American flag is placed upon every veterans’ gravesite at each national cemetery in the country in recognition of Memorial Day.

More than 3,000 volunteers, team leaders and area coordinators volunteered on May 28 to ‘plant’ a flag and offer gratitude to honor those buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, in preparation for the cemetery’s Memorial Day Ceremony on May 29.

The ceremony included a prelude with patriotic music, an introduction and welcome, the presentation of colors, the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, an Armed Forces medley, invocation, keynote speakers and special guests, a rifle salute, echo taps and a benediction.

For information about Flags for the Fallen, visit FlagsForFallenMilitary.org.

Wreaths Across America
When: Dec. 16
Where: Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell
Details: Volunteers can sign up to lay remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes while saying the name of each veteran aloud.
Info: WreathsAcrossAmerica.org

Published June 07, 2023

American flags were placed by volunteers on each military gravesite in recognition of Memorial Day. (Mary Rathman)
Quiet, peaceful areas are offered for reflection at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. The cemetery was ‘decorated’ for Memorial Day.
More than 3,000 volunteers ‘planted’ American flags at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell in preparation for a Memorial Day Ceremony. 

Saint Leo names interim athletic director

By

Marcal Lazenby has been named interim athletic director at Saint Leo University.

That announcement came from Saint Leo University President Dr. Edward Dadez, in a news release issued on May 30.

Marcal Lazenby (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Lazenby, who is associate athletic director, will assume his new position overseeing Saint Leo’s Intercollegiate Athletics, Wellness and Recreation departments on June 30, following the departure of longtime Vice President and Director of Athletics Fran Reidy, who is retiring.

The athletic director oversees Saint Leo’s Intercollegiate Athletics, Wellness, and Recreation departments.

As associate athletic director at Saint Leo, Lazenby has been responsible for oversight of compliance, athletic communications, facilities ticketing and concessions, merchandising and sponsorships. He was promoted from the assistant athletic director for compliance, athletics diversity and inclusion designee in August 2021 and first joined the university in 2017 as director of NCAA compliance.  

“I am honored and look forward to the challenge of building upon the proud athletic and academic traditions at Saint Leo,” Lazenby said in the release. “I made a strategic decision about my career when I left Glenville and came to Saint Leo to learn about the Sunshine State Conference and how to operate a high-level athletic program under Fran Reidy. I look forward to leading the great staff we have in place and aligning athletics, wellness and recreation with the university’s strategic plan as we create a vision of excellence for the future.”

Lazenby came to Saint Leo after serving as the director of athletics at his alma mater, Glenville State University in West Virginia. While Lazenby earned his bachelor’s degree from Glenville, he also was a four-year member of the university’s football team.

Published June 07, 2023

This handy guide aims to help you in Hurricane Season 2023

By

It’s a perennial plea by emergency management experts — and yet, a certain percentage of people never seem to believe that a hurricane can strike where they live.

Until, of course, it does.

Pasco County didn’t emerge entirely unscathed from Hurricane Ian, but the damages were relatively minor compared to communities to the south of the Tampa Bay region that were devastated by the Category 4 hurricane.
(File)

This list of tips is intended to help our readers to be prepared for Hurricane Season 2023, which begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

The idea is to be ready, in case something happens — and to hope, at the same time, that nothing does.

With that in mind, here are some practical suggestions aimed at helping those who live or work within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

As Pasco and Hillsborough counties continue to grow, more people are streaming into the area and it’s important to remember that for most of them, this will be their first experience with a hurricane season.

It’s a good idea for newcomers — and for local residents who have moved into a new community — to familiarize themselves with the risks associated with where they live.

Do you live in an evacuation zone? If you must leave, do you know the way out?

All Floridians, regardless of their address, face risks of significant disruptions and potential damage from tropical storms and hurricanes.

Stephanie Francis, right, and her daughter, Siena Bracciale, load up a U-Haul with generators, cases of water, food and other supplies on Sept. 30, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, for delivery to MidWest Food Pantry in Fort Myers. Many local citizens, neighborhoods, churches, schools, businesses and organizations in Pasco County organized donation drives and supply runs to help the victims of Hurricane Ian.

A wealth of information is available on your county’s website to help you before, during and after severe weather strikes. Government social media apps, county websites and local news stations are other ways to stay informed.

This page is intended to provide a quick reference of useful tips. It has been compiled from disaster guides from Pasco and Hillsborough counties, as well as from The Laker/Lutz News archives.

Be careful. Stay safe out there.

Before severe weather threatens

  • Trim trees and shrubs.
  • Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
  • Repair roof leaks.
  • Make an inventory of your property and valuables. Jot down specifics. Take photos.

It’s also good time to stock up food and other supplies

  • Water: One gallon is recommended for each person for three to seven days.
  • Food: Have enough food on hand for at least three to seven days. The foods should be nonperishable packaged or canned food and beverages, snack foods, juices. The supplies should be easy to store and prepare, including protein bars, dried fruit, canned pastas, soups, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, raisins, beef jerky. Don’t forget the baby formula and baby food.

Plan for your pets
If you need to evacuate with your pet, be sure to bring sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or a carrier; pet food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter, a litter pan; pet health records, current photos of your pets, in case they get lost; pet beds and toys.

Helpful supplies and tools

  • Books and games to help pass the time
  • A non-electric can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups
  • A grill, cooking tools, fuel, charcoal
  • Hand tools, automotive repair tools
  • Duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting (for shelter-in-place)
  • A wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags
  • Sunscreen, aloe, bug spray
  • Personal care items for babies, the elderly, people with disabilities
  • Toiletries, hygiene items and sanitary wipes
  • Moist towelettes for sanitation

Personal safety items

  • A battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather radio
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Medications, a first-aid kit
  • Filter masks to protect your mouth and nose
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • Seasonal rain gear, sturdy shoes or boots

Prepare a go-kit
Have a kit you can take with you, which includes food, medications and important documents, such as insurance papers, birth certificates, bank account records and so on. How much you take will depend on how far you are going and how long you expect to be gone.

Other practical pointers

  • Avoid gas lines: During hurricane season keep your tank full, or at least 3/4 full.
  • Have cash on hand, in case banks are closed and ATMs lose power.
  • Have a phone charger that doesn’t need electricity.
  • Print a list of  important telephone numbers, including county emergency management office, evacuation sites, doctors, bank, area schools, veterinarian, etc.

When a hurricane threatens
Protect your property

  • Cover windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters.
  • Store outdoor furniture, wind chimes, garbage cans, potted plants, garden decorations and other items that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • If you own a boat, determine how and where to secure it.

Protect yourself

  • Know if you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and if you do, be sure your evacuation plan includes transportation routes and destinations.
  • If evacuating, think in terms of 10s of miles, not 100s of miles. Reach out to family or friends, now, to see if you can stay with them.
  • Be sure to share your plans, whether sheltering in place or evacuating, with someone outside of the danger zone.

If sheltering in place

  • Close all interior doors. Secure and brace exterior doors. Take refuge in a small interior closet, or hallway on the lowest level. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
  • Fill bathtubs or buckets with water to use for cleaning and toilet flushing.
  • Stay away from windows and glass doors.
  • Don’t be fooled by a lull in the storm. It could be the eye of the storm and the winds could resume.

After the storm

  • Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Watch out for objects in the road, downed power lines and weakened walls, bridges, roads and sidewalks that might collapse.
  • Do not drive into water when you can’t see the bottom of the road; your car could be carried away and you could drown.
  • Do not walk through flooded areas, fast-moving water could carry you away. Also, the water could be contaminated with oil, gasoline, raw sewage and other contaminants. It also may be electrically charged from a downed wire.
  • Be careful about the foods you eat. If the power is out for a prolonged period, your food may have spoiled.
  • Do not burn charcoal in your house or garage, the fumes can be deadly.
  • Never use a portable generator inside your house or garage. Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death after storms.
  • If you’re using a generator, do not plug it into a building’s wiring. This can cause generator back-feed, which is extremely dangerous for utility workers and for anyone in the public who comes into contact with a downed electrical wire.
  • If you have been evacuated, don’t return home until authorities say that it’s safe to do so. Watch the local news and check local government emergency apps to stay informed.

If you have damage

  • Call your insurance agent.
  • Take photos of damage.
  • Make emergency repairs to avoid additional damage and keep receipts for the tarps, lumbers and other materials you purchase.
  • Be wary of scams and price gougers. Use licensed contractors to make repairs.

For substantially more information to help you during Hurricane Season 2023, visit HillsboroughCounty.org and PascoCountyFl.net and check out the disaster guides prepared by each county. 

Visit each county’s emergency operations department to download the guides, sign up for alerts and find out information that can help you prepare for and weather the storm.

Published May 31, 2023