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National Hurricane Center

Weather hurricanes: Prepare early

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Early preparation and preparedness are vital when it comes to weathering hurricanes or other life-threatening storms.

That was the main message that Andrew Fossa, emergency management director for Pasco County, delivered during a Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce September breakfast meeting at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club.

The county’s emergency management division deals with all kinds of hazards, ranging from wildfires and extreme heat, to sinkholes and tornadoes — but Fossa focused much of his talk on hurricanes and tropical storms, or what he refers to as “gray sky days.”

Pasco County emergency management director Andrew Fossa was the featured guest speaker at last month’s Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The emergency director told the audience that once the county begins notifications regarding an imminent storm — such as announcing shelter and sandbag locations — local residents should ramp up their evacuation preparation and strategy within the next 120 hours.

“You guys got to start thinking about what you’re going to do, where are you going to go, and when are you going to do it,” Fossa said.

He emphasized that residents need to have a disaster supply kit, or “go bags” stocked up well before  any announcement is made.

Those preparation kits should include medications, important documents, driver’s license, passport, clothing, cash, non-perishable food, water, and so on. Motorists should fill up their vehicles before an impending storm hits.

“You’ve got to make sure you take that stuff with you because once we order an evacuation, you’re not going to be allowed back into your house or wherever you live,” said Fossa, who spent nearly three decades with Pasco County Fire Rescue before retiring there as deputy chief.

When it comes to finding a safe place during ordered evacuations, Fossa said local residents  need not go far.

Aside from staying at county-designated shelters, the emergency management director recommends first traveling to a family or friend’s house more inland or in the north-central part of the state.

He advised against driving all the way out of state due to a hurricane’s “cone of uncertainty,” or playing a “guessing game” on the range of possibilities the center of the storm could hit.

A storm targeted for a certain part of Florida just as easily could veer off to Georgia, Texas or somewhere else, Fossa said.

“You don’t have to go hundreds of miles,” he said. Instead, he suggested, “go 10 miles.”

Residents should take pictures of everything valuable in their home or apartment prior to evacuating, Fossa said. Those will come in handy in the event their property is damaged and they need to file  insurance claims.

He surmised: “I guarantee your insurance company is going to say, ‘Do you have photos before (the storm)?’”

Fossa cautioned the audience that media outlets have a tendency to hype hurricanes and related tropical storms, which he said can lead to community unrest.

He directed residents to the Weather Channel, National Hurricane Center or the county’s MyPasco app, to get the latest information.

“The media is going to make it a hype,” Fossa said. “That storm could still be coming off the coast of Africa and they’re start telling you, ‘It’s knee-deep in Pasco County right now.’”

Fossa also told the crowd that a “hurricane watch” isn’t cause for immediate panic.

“A lot of people think when you get that ‘watch’ you gotta run now, you gotta go hide. All the watches are saying is, ‘It’s possible,’” he explained.

For more information on the county’s emergency management division, visit pascoemergencymanagement.com.

For other questions, email or call (727) 847-8137.

Disaster supply kit and checklist
Here’s a list of items Pasco County Emergency Management recommends residents have on hand in case of a tropical storm or other disaster.

  • Water— one gallon for each person for three to seven days
  • Food — enough food for at least three to seven days, non-perishable packaged or canned food and beverages, snack foods, juices
  • Non-electric can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups
  • Grill, cooking tools, fuel, charcoal
  • Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags
  • Clothing, seasonal/rain gear/sturdy shoes or boots
  • First aid kit, prescriptions, medications, sunscreen, aloe, bug spray
  • Special items for babies, elders, persons with disabilities
  • Toiletries, hygiene items and sanitary wipes
  • Flashlight and batteries (Do not use candles)
  • Spare house and car keys, office keys name badges
  • Cash — banks/ATMs may not be available after a storm
  • Radio — battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather radio
  • Books and games
  • Important documents
  • Document all valuables
  • Hand tools, automotive repair tools
  • Vehicle — keep your vehicle filled with fuel
  • Pet care items — pet food and water, proper identification, medical records, carrier bag, muzzle and leash, medications
  • List of important telephone numbers, including county emergency management office, evacuation sites, doctors, bank, area schools, veterinarian, etc.

Published October 09, 2019

Area prepares for flooding, wind

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With Hurricane Dorian bearing down on Florida, the state is bracing itself for impact.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also declared a State of Emergency in the state’s 67 counties, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody activated the state’s Price Gouging Hotline.

Both Hillsborough and Pasco counties have declared a state of emergency.

In an advisory issued at 11 a.m., Aug. 30 from the National Hurricane Center, “life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the Florida east coast by early next week, but it is too soon to determine where the highest storm surge and winds will occur. Residents should have their hurricane plan in place, know if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone, and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.”

Pasco County didn’t feel the full fury of Hurricane Irma’s wrath, but some other communities were less fortunate. (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council)

The advisory continues, “a prolonged period of storm surge, high winds and rainfall is

likely in portions of Florida into next week, including the possibility of hurricane-force winds over inland portions of the Florida peninsula.”

Dorian could strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Florida.

The Pasco County Commission last week declared a local state of emergency, which allows County Administrator Dan Biles and Emergency Management Director Andy Fossa the ability to waive everyday procedures, and do whatever they feel is necessary to ensure public health and safety.

The declaration allows Biles and Fossa the freedom to order evacuations, perform public work, make emergency purchases, rent equipment, hire workers, use volunteers, and so on.

The Local State of Emergency remains in effect for seven days, or until Biles rescinds it, if it is no longer needed.

To help residents prepare for potential flooding, Pasco County opened several sandbag locations, which included Land O’ Lakes Recreational Complex, in Land O’ Lakes; Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn) in San Antonio; Wesley Chapel District Park in Wesley Chapel; and, Old Dade City Police Station, in Dade City.

The City of Zephyrhills also opened a sandbag location at Fire Station 2 in Zephyrhills.

In an abundance of caution, the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce cancelled its monthly business breakfast scheduled for Sept. 3.

Hurricanes can easily topple and down trees, which can cause major damage. (File)

It also sent its members links to information that could help them prepare for Hurricane Dorian.

Saint Leo University planned to close on Sept. 1 and to remain closed through Sept. 3, at its main campus and several other locations. Students, faculty, and staff were advised to check the Saint Leo University website at SaintLeo.edu for updates, especially concerning classes on Wednesday.

All Rasmussen College campuses in Florida also were scheduled to close Sept. 1 and remain closed until at least Sept. 3, to give students, faculty and staff time to prepare for weather conditions, and to ensure they are safe.

Pasco County Schools’ Place child care and Beyond-the-Bell programs will be closed Sept. 3.

The Pasco County School Board meeting has been postponed from Sept. 3 until Sept. 10.

AdventHealth West Florida Division leaders also have activated emergency management teams to ensure the safety of patients and staff. Hurricane protocols include team staffing procedures, adequate water supply and backup generator power checks, according to a news release.

As always, emergency officials encouraged residents to take steps to prepare for potential impacts.

The Laker/Lutz News publishes information at the beginning of each hurricane season to help our readers prepare for a possible hurricane, and information intended to help deal with the aftermath of any damage.

Those tips, along with information gleaned from additional sources, is presented here.

Before a hurricane hits

Protect your property:

  • Trim trees and shrubs.
  • Clear out clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
  • Put away outdoor furniture, windchimes, garbage cans, decorations, potted plants and other items that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • If you have a boat, secure it.
  • Cover windows with hurricane shutters or pre-cut plywood.

Protect yourself

  • Assemble an emergency kit: Be sure it has enough food and water to last up to seven days, according to the latest advice from experts.
  • The foods should be nonperishables that are easy to store and prepare, including dried fruit, canned pastas, soups, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, raisins, beef jerky. Be sure to include a can opener in your kit. (See our What’s Cookin’ column on page 5A for food safety advice).
  • The rule of thumb is to have 1 gallon of water per day for each person, for drinking and sanitation
  • Don forget baby formula and baby food
  • Stock up on disposable cups, plates and utensils
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Medications
  • First aid kit
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • A hand-cranked radio, or battery-powered radio with extra batteries
  • Moist towelettes for sanitation
  • Garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  • Be sure to have an emergency kit for your pets, too. It should include 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.

Shelter

  • A sleeping back for each family member
  • Duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting (for shelter-in-place)
  • A wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • Flashlights
  • Generator: Be sure to follow directions. These can kill, if used improperly.

Protect important documents

  • Keep in waterproof container on a shelf. Carry with you, if you evacuate.
  • Documents should include bank account records, marriage certificates or divorce decrees, driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, titles, deeds, income tax information, trusts, wills and birth certificates.

Prepare to stay, or go

  • If you live in an evacuation area, be prepared to leave. In Pasco County, mobile home residents must evacuate, no matter where they live, if the county issues an evacuation order.
  • Those living in a mandatory evacuation zone should prepare an evacuation plan that includes transportation routes and destinations, and considers all family members and pets.
  • If you plan to shelter in place, notify out-of-area contacts of your decision to stay. Be sure you have assembled your emergency kit and have a safe place to stay in your home.
  • If staying at home, fill up bathtubs or buckets with water to use for cleaning and toilet flushing.
  • Keep your gas tank three-quarters full at all times.
  • Have cash on hand.
  • Stay informed. Listen to an NOAA weather radio, or regularly check local forecasts and news reports.
  • 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.
  • Stay away from windows and glass doors.

After the hurricane passes

  • Stay aware of threats from flooding and tornadoes.
  • Do not drive into water when you can’t see the bottom of the road.
  • Do not walk in standing water; it may contain contaminants, it might be deeper than it looks; it may have a strong undercurrent; or, it may be electrically charged with a downed wire.
  • Be careful about the foods you eat. If the power is out, your food may be spoiled.
  • Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, tents, garage, vehicle or fireplace. Do not use gas-powered generators indoors or in a garage.

If you have damage

  • Call an agent.
  • Take photos of the damage.
  • Make emergency repairs to avoid more damage, and keep receipts for tarps, lumber, etc.
  • Keep alert to potential scams.
  • Special needs sheltersThe Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough, Pasco and other Tampa Bay area counties is reminding medically dependent people to be prepared for severe weather emergencies.Special Needs Shelters are available for residents who meet specific criteria and should be used as a place of last refuge, according to the health department.

    Online registrations for the shelters stops about 48 hours before impact. Those who have not registered, but believe they should go, should monitor local media to find out which ones are open and are closest to them.

    Registration is preferred, but not required in an emergency.

    There has been some confusion about registration. Many people are under the impression that once they have registered, they are automatically reserved a bed when severe weather is coming. But, that is not correct, according to the health department.

    Residents need to know:

    • There is no guarantee of a reservation at a special needs shelter.
    • If someone is in an evacuation area and has registered, they will be contacted to confirm they are reporting to the special needs shelter.
    • If needed, upon request, Emergency Management will coordinate transportation to the shelter.
    • If they have a caregiver, the caregiver must accompany them and remain with them at the shelter.

    Who qualifies?

    Generally, those who may qualify include those who are oxygen dependent; those who need electricity for the medical equipment; those who have conditions that do not qualify for admission to the hospital, but exceed the capability of a general population shelter.

    To register online, go to:

Tips for businesses:

Before the storm

  • Be sure you have an evacuation plan, with escape routes.
  • Have an emergency communication plan, which includes: A staff text message/email; a method for reaching employees after hours; and, a single point of contact. Be sure to monitor the news, so you are up to date on the latest information.

After the storm:

  • Account for all employees.
  • Gather accurate information about damage. Conduct a full evaluation of infrastructure and coordinate next steps to get doors open.
  • Communicate with all parties involved.
  • Establish a safe place — which may be at your home or in another location — for you to resume your business as quickly as possible.
  • Use social media to keep customers aware of the status of your business. Have you reopened? Do you know when you will? Also, if possible, put a sign on the door of your business conveying the same type of information.
  • Contact your insurance company.
  • Take photographs of damaged assets.
  • Leave damaged property where it is, until the adjuster has made an official report.
  • Accompany the adjuster to point out damage during the inspection.
  • Make only repairs necessary to prevent further damage. Be aware that unauthorized repairs might not be covered.
  • Use care in selecting contractors. Hire only licensed contractors, who secure the appropriate building permits. (Watch for red flags, such as upfront cash only; contractors using leftover materials; incomplete contact information.)
  • If proposed insurance settlement seems unfair, contact the Florida Department of Insurance Regulation at FLOIR.com.

Source: Brian Ellis, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

Pasco Shelters, tiered activation
Tier 1: Fasano Regional, Wiregrass High, Wesley Chapel High, Centennial Middle, Fivay High

Tier 2: River Ridge Middle/High, Weightman Middle, Stewart Middle, Sunlake High, Cypress Creek Middle High

Tier 3: Mitchell High, Odessa Elementary, Veterans Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Pasco Middle, New River Middle, Bexley Elementary

Tier 4: Double Branch Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Sanders Memorial Elementary, Connerton Elementary, Trinity Oaks Elementary, Schrader Elementary, Longleaf Elementary

Tier 5: Trinity Elementary, Chasco Elementary, Lacoochee Elementary, Denham Oaks Elementary, Watergrass Elementary, Pine View Elementary

Published September 4, 2019

Keeping safe, when a hurricane threatens

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Hurricane Season 2017 is underway, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has shored up its ability to respond to the potential for deadly storms.

Within the past few months, Sheriff Chris Nocco has created an Emergency Management Division and has appointed two seasoned war veterans to top leadership positions.

Nocco named George McDonald as chief of the Joint Operations Bureau of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Jared Hill as director of Emergency Operations.

Storm surge causes the greatest damage during a hurricane. The rising water can destroy piers, erode beaches, flood properties and make areas impassable. (File)

McDonald is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel and has served in a variety of command, staff and leadership positions throughout his career.

The bureau — which encompasses Emergency Operations, Special Operations and Communications — oversees areas that directly connect to the county during critical situations.

It’s also responsible for training law enforcement and civilians within the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Hill, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, served as the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) adjutant and the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan assistant operations officer, among other assignments.

The pair’s military background should bode well if catastrophic events arise, whether it’s a hurricane or another disaster.

“Critical to the sheriff was the (agency’s) response to emergencies within the county, and what he wanted to do was bring in people who have been through different types of emergencies, and key to that was veterans,” McDonald said, during a recent press conference on hurricane preparedness.

Nearly a quarter of the agency has veteran experience, but McDonald insists it’s not about militarizing law enforcement.

Instead, he said, it’s about “using the experience we (veterans) had from our overseas deployment, not only in wartime, but in peacetime.”

This includes tactical skills, and the ability to task-organize in critical, high-pressure situations.

“We all served in combat zones, we’ve operated in stressful environments, and we were at ease working in an environment like that, and I think that’s a proven quality that the sheriff was looking for,” McDonald said.

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

If you live in an area that needs to evacuate, it’s good to know the evacuation route you’ll be taking. (File)

Hurricane experts say October is the most likely time for Florida to be hit with a tropical storm, due to the build up of energy in the atmosphere, accumulated through the summer months.

Last September, Hurricane Hermine was the first hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Hurricane Wilma in 2005, and the first to develop in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Ingrid in 2013.

Hermine developed in the Florida Straits in August, and later spread to the Tampa Bay region.

Damage estimates from the storm exceeded $111 million in Pasco County alone.

In Pasco County, seven homes were destroyed and 305 homes sustained major damage.

Additionally, 796 homes were affected by the storm, but didn’t suffer any damage.

In preparation for another major storm, the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Division has been procuring surplus military gear, including high-powered generators, Humvees and portable field kitchens.

According to Hill, the agency is able to obtain the equipment for “pennies on the dollar” through the Law Enforcement Support Office, a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Defense.

Hill said training and maintenance of the equipment also has been incorporated as part of the agency’s disaster planning process.

The county jail is another asset that can be harnessed during a hurricane by deploying prison labor to install sandbags to reduce potential for flooding in specific areas.

Additionally, nearly 400 volunteers are ready to help at a moment’s notice, via the agency’s Civilian Support Unit.

Each of those resources, Hill said, allows the Pasco Sheriff’s Office to “react a lot faster than most anybody else can within the county.”

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco recently appointed two seasoned war veterans to top leadership positions within the agency’s Emergency Management Division. Jared Hill, left, is the agency’s director of Emergency Operations. George McDonald is chief of the Joint Operations Bureau of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Both have more than 20 years of military experience. (Kevin Weiss)

“We’re actively on the job everyday, we’re doing as much planning as we can,” Hill said. “Not that any plan is going to be perfect, but we’ve the ability to direct crisis situations and gather forces to help out in any situation.”

Should a hurricane strike, the Sheriff’s Office would work alongside the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management and Pasco County Fire Rescue, among other government agencies

“We’re not doing this unilaterally. We’re tied in to the county’s emergency management,” Hill said.

While wind and water pose dangers during a hurricane, there also are dangers in the aftermath.

County officials recommend avoiding roads covered by water and debris, and staying clear of downed power lines.

It’s also important to realize that water, not wind, is the most hazardous outcome of a tropical storm.

According to the National Hurricane Center, storm surge, rainfall flooding, high surf and deaths just offshore (within 50 nautical miles of the coast) combined for 88 percent of all deaths in the U.S. from hurricanes, tropical storms or tropical depressions from 1963 to 2012.

Other potential dangers can arise, too.

Snakes and other animals sometimes make their way into homes during a storm.

And, floodwaters can contain fecal matter, bacteria and viruses.

Food-safety hazards should be considered, too.

A refrigerator keeps food cold for up to four hours after loss of power, and then perishables should be moved to a cooler with ice.

If in doubt, throw it out.

“You don’t want to survive the storm and die of food poisoning,” Hill said.

Bracing for the storm

  • Prepare your home from wind damage before a storm threatens. Remove loose and damaged limbs from trees. Secure and brace external doors. Board up external windows.
  • Remove items around your home that could act as projectiles in high winds. Such objects include potted plants, barbecue grills, garden gnomes, chairs and garbage cans.
  • Place sand bags around low-lying areas near your house.
  • Well before any major storm hits, be sure to review your insurance. Be sure you have the proper amount of coverage to protect your home, business and belongings.
  • Stock up on hurricane supplies, including flashlights, batteries, self-powered portable lights, waterproof sheeting, a nonelectric food storage cooler, a portable generator and reusable ice.
  • Have personal items readily available. These should include blankets and pillows; hygiene supplies, moisture wipes and toilet paper; waterproof and seasonal clothing; reliable shoes; a first-aid kit and special medications; tools; and, cameras.
  • Protect your documents in a watertight plastic bag or waterproof container.
  • Fill your gas tank and have plenty of cash on hand, in case the storm knocks out power from gas pumps and ATMs.
  • Move your car as far inland as possible and on higher ground, to protect it from possible flooding, but do not park it next to a tree.

Be ready to evacuate, or shelter in place
If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay.

  • Have a disaster supply kit you can take with you. It should include a flashlight, batteries, cash, required medicine, first aid supplies (kit), 2 gallons to 3 gallons of water per person, documents such as a driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, insurance information and tax documents, a hand-crank or battery-operated radio and a cellphone with a charged battery.
  • If you have a pet, have a plan for it. If you will need to evacuate, know where you can take your pet with you. Be sure to prepare a hurricane kit for your pet, including food, any medicines, toys, a bed and so on.
  • Have a family emergency communication plan. Your loved ones need to know how to contact you before the storm, and especially afterwards, when communication infrastructure may be damaged or overwhelmed.
  • Check on your neighbors to see if they need help.
  • If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate, and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days, and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads. Be sure to have plenty of food. Suggested items include juices, crackers, breakfast and protein bars, canned and dried fruit, peanut butter, bread, canned protein (tuna, chicken, Spam), powdered milk and condiments. Also have on hand disposable utensils, plates and napkins.

During the storm

  • Stay inside and away from windows and doors
  • Close all interior doors
  • Keep curtains and blinds closed
  • Get into a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level
  • Lie under a table or other sturdy objects

Returning home

  • Bring necessities, such as food and water, when you return
  • Keep an eye out for snakes and other animals that may have entered your home during the storm
  • Do not drive down roads covered by water or debris
  • Watch out for downed power lines and stay away from them
  • Avoid skin contact with floodwaters because the water can be carrying all sorts of contaminants such as fecal matter, bacteria and viruses.
  • Wear protective clothing and use proper equipment when cleaning up the mess the storm left behind. Before trimming trees, make sure there are no power lines nearby.
  • Be sure to use plastic sheeting to cover roof damage and/or broken windows, to keep water from entering your home or business.
  • Contact your insurance agent to report any covered damage to your home, apartment or vehicle. Be sure to have detailed photographs, so you can submit them with your claims.
  • Save receipts for all dining, hotel, medical, hygiene and even entertainment. Some of these items may be eligible for reimbursement. Save the receipts from the time you leave your home until you return to stay there.
  • Watch out for scams and unlicensed contractors. Verify the contractor’s business license and insurance. Make sure quotes are in writing.

                                                                      — Compiled by B.C. Manion and Kevin Weiss

Sources: Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, Boatsetter, and Tree Care Industry Association.

Published July 26, 2017