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.
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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.
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
