Hurricane Guide 2022

TAMPA BAY TIMES | HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | MAY 29, 2022

FLOOD WARNING

It won’t take a major storm to flood Tampa Bay. Here’s how to deal with our new reality.

Also inside: Tips, lists, maps and shelter information, so you — and your pets — can be prepared ahead of the storm.

LUIS SANTANA | Times (2020)

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Local resources to help you weather the storm The Tampa Bay Times 2022 Hurricane Preparation guide and the latest news and information about this year’s storms are available online at: tampabay.com/hurricane To learn about the emergency resources in your county, sign up for emergency alerts and find your evacuation zone and shelter, look for your county below

Citrus County Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management: sheriffcitrus.org/emergency-management.php Phone: 352-249-2700 Citrus County flood insurance rate maps: gis.citrusbocc.com Facebook: facebook.com/CitrusCountyBOCC Twitter: @citrusbocc

Hernando County Hernando County Emergency Management: hernandocounty.us/em Phone: 352-754-4083 Hernando County Disaster Planning Guide: bit.ly/3M4ftel Find your evacuation zone: bit.ly/3925B5Y Sign up for Alert Hernando: AlertHernando.org Facebook: facebook.com/HernandoCoGov Twitter: @HernandoCoGov Hashtag: #HernandoPrepares

Hillsborough County Hillsborough County Emergency Management: bit.ly/395mcpO Phone: 813-272-6600 Sign up for HCFL Alerts: bit.ly/3vUg9gz City of Tampa hurricane information: bit.ly/392PV2m Sign up for Alert Tampa: tampa.gov/alert-tampa Find your evacuation zone and shelter: bit.ly/3N1c1kA Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority bus evacuation routes: bit.ly/3Fvy7sX Hillsborough County Flood Zone viewer: bit.ly/3skY6Oi Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughFL, facebook.com/TampaGov/ Twitter: @HillsboroughFL, @CityofTampa Hashtag: #MyHillsborough

Pasco County Pasco County Emergency Management: PascoEmergencyManagement.com Phone: 727-847-2411 Live Chat: MyPasco.net Sign up for Alert Pasco: bit.ly/395CeA0 Pasco County disaster preparedness guide: bit.ly/3kyN9o8 If the county orders an evacuation, find shelters at: mypasco.net Facebook: facebook.com/PascoCounty Twitter: @PascoCounty_FL, @Pasco_FL_OEM Hashtags: #PascoCounty, #StaySafePasco

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Pinellas County Pinellas County Emergency Management: pinellascounty.org/emergency Phone: 727-464-3800 Live chat: bit.ly/PinellasChat Look up your evacuation zone: storm.pinellascounty.org Sign up for Alert Pinellas: bit.ly/3FuEA7n Preregister for special needs shelters and transportation: Call 727-464-3800 or visit pinellascounty.org/specialneeds Pinellas County shelters: bit.ly/3sppdb2 Pinellas County Interactive Hurricane Evacuation Zone Inquiry Line (for properties with landlines): 727-453-3150 Download the Ready Pinellas app for iOS and Android Facebook: facebook.com/PinellasCountyNews Twitter: @PinellasCoNews, @PinellasEM Hashtags: #GetReadyPinellas, #PinellasCounty, #Hurricane(name)PC or #TS(name)PC

Other resources Power outage maps Duke Energy map: outagemap.duke-energy.com Tampa Electric map: tampaelectric.com/poweroutages Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative map: om.wrec.net/maps/OutageWebMap/

Get ready for the storm Federal Alliance for Safe Homes: flash.org Federal Emergency Management Agency: fema.gov FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants: fema.gov/grants/mitigation Florida Division of Emergency Management: floridadisaster.org Florida Special Needs Registry: bit.ly/3N8DHnY Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety: disastersafety.org MySafeFlorida.org: www.mysafeflorida.org National Hurricane Center storm tracker: nhc.noaa.gov Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council: tampabayprepares.org

Flood links FEMA flood maps: bit.ly/3w2TYVN First Street Foundation’s Flood Factor: floodfactor.com Florida Division of Emergency Management: floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone Pinellas County homebuyer special flood hazard areas information: bit.ly/3EZxZBU National Flood Insurance Program: floodsmart.gov

COVID-19 Find a test site: bit.ly/3lvbeg9 Find vaccines in your ZIP code: vaccines.gov Florida Department of Health: floridahealthcovid19.gov National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline: 800-232-0233 (English and Spanish); TTY: 888-720-7489 Disability Information and Access Line: Call 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@n4a.org

Tampa Bay Times has you covered online

BY JOSHUA GILLIN

Times Staff Writer

With experts predicting another busy storm season this year, the Tampa Bay Times is working to keep you up to date on tropical weather in as many ways as possible. In the event a named storm is on the way, we’ll post news stories, photographs, videos, evacuation updates and more on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit and more.

Follow us at these accounts to get the latest updates: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/tampabaycom TWITTER: twitter.com/TB_Times INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/tampabaytimes REDDIT: reddit.com/user/TampaBayTimes YOUTUBE: youtube.com/user/wwwtampabaycom • On Facebook, we have a group dedicated to hurricane news and community discussions, where you can post your own information, ask questions and interact with other members. You can join by going to facebook.com/groups/timeshurricane. Keep in mind that we will change the name of the group whenever a major storm threatens Florida, so you also can search for our group by the storm’s name.

• Even with COVID-19 precautions being lifted, we’re still keeping track of coronavirus news on tampabay.com, including how getting supplies, evacuating or hunkering down may be affected. Find it all at tampabay.com/coronavirus.

• We also have an entire section on our website dedicated to hurricane preparation, tracking the latest storms, local emergency orders and evacuations, and covering the aftermath at tampabay.com/hurricane.

If you want to get the latest hurricane stories without searching for them, sign up for desktop notifications about the most important stories we’re publishing. Turn on these notifications when you see a pop-up window on tampabay.com asking if you’d like to get them. Click “allow” when you see the box in your browser, and you’re all set.

We also can keep you informed through our news app, which provides mobile notifications through your phone or tablet. You can download it through your favorite app store, or go to tampabay.com/times-apps. You can then customize the app to get the notifications you want during a storm, including news and weather alerts.

Contact Joshua Gillin at jgillin@tampabay.com. Follow @jpgillin

ON THE COVER: A motorist drives along a flooded

Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa as Tropical Storm Eta rolls through the area on Nov.12, 2020.

Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, May 29, 2022 |

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Cover story

WHEN THE WATERS RISE

The rewards of living in Tampa Bay also mean the risk of flooding. And it will flood. Here are ways to mitigate that risk.

BY ZACHARY T. SAMPSON AND LANGSTON TAYLOR

Times Staff Writers

Many people are moving to Tampa Bay, and it’s easy to see why.

The region boasts world-class beaches, canal-front living and downtowns packed with restaurants and bars. But much of what makes Tampa Bay so appealing is also in danger.

All that water leaves residents tremendously vulnerable to flooding.

Living here requires balancing the risk. Below are some simple questions and answers to help you prepare — even outside of hurricane season.

I’d like to buy or rent a home.

How do I assess flood risk?

Do your research.

Look at flood zone and evac-

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uation maps, available on most county websites. You also can search for your flood zone via the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

There are private tools you can use to estimate a property’s flood risk. One option is floodfactor.com from the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on flood research. The program is included in listings on the home-buying website realtor.com.

Florida’s Know Your Zone website can help residents identify their evacuation zone based on potential storm surge.

But don’t just search online.

Ask other people whether a street floods and where.

“Typically, neighbors like to talk,” said Cyndee Haydon, a Pinellas Realtor and vice chairperson for the National Association of

| Sunday, May 29, 2022 | Tampa Bay Times

DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times (2020)

Mud marks the height of the water that flooded Otto Lohmann’s utility room and garage on Shore Drive E in Oldsmar in the aftermath of Hurricane Eta in November 2020.

Realtors’ Insurance Committee.

Find out how high your property’s first finished floor is above sea level. Get flood insurance, and talk to agents to determine your premium today and how it might rise over time.

Ultimately, risk is personal.

Whether you take a chance on a property will depend on how much money you have and how long you plan to stay.

How will I know if I’m buying a house that has flooded before?

Florida does not require sellers to disclose past flooding. It’s one

of 21 states with an F rating from the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council for such policies, joining Alabama and Georgia in the Southeast.

Bills that would have instituted a mandate did not get a hearing from the Florida Legislature in 2020. A Florida Realtors association disclosure form includes a section on flooding — but filling it out is voluntary.

Details about previous flood insurance claims on a property are kept secret by federal privacy law.

Pinellas holds training sessions for Realtors on flood risks and publishes a brochure to teach buyers

about Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Homes can change hands several times, though, and Haydon said the most recent owner may not know about an old flood.

“Good people do the right thing,” she said. Realtors are bound by a code of ethics, which does not mention flooding or water damage but instructs people to avoid hiding “pertinent facts relating to the property.” It also says realtors cannot be expected to find and disclose problems outside their expertise.

Haydon said she wants “people to buy with eyes wide open.”

See FLOODING, 5

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

FLOODING,

continued from 4

I live in a flood zone. What should I do?

Get flood insurance. You’ll need money to rebuild unless you have enough money to cover all your losses.

If you do have flood insurance, read your policy and figure out whether it covers all you’d want.

You need to add contents coverage separately. For homes, the National Flood Insurance Program covers a maximum of $250,000 in building damages and $100,000 for contents. Coverage amounts are higher for commercial properties.

The U.S. government recently unveiled a new system for insurance pricing, called Risk Rating 2.0, which could lead to higher premiums for many in Florida.

To figure out exactly how you’re affected, talk to an insurance agent.

Renters can take out flood insurance policies to protect their possessions. Renters’ insurance alone usually does not cover flood damage, according to FEMA. After locking down your insurance, there’s still more to do. Survey your house and assess its vulnerabilities. Make a plan for when a storm approaches. What would you want to take with you?

Important paperwork? Photo albums? Electronics? Have a system for packing up quickly.

Are your most precious files — property, medical or business records and family photos — backed up to a cloud storage service?

Small steps can improve flood safety. Is your roof well-sealed?

Don’t delay repairs until hurricane season. Could you move your air-conditioning unit higher, away from flood waters?

Homeowners can engineer their yards to absorb stormwater or direct it away from their houses. Swales, berms and permeable garden beds, like mulch instead of concrete, can limit flooding.

Before a storm bears down, take pictures and videos of all your rooms. Having proof of what it looked like will help you file an insurance claim. Imagine having to catalog most of what you owned after it’s all been destroyed.

Don’t get complacent if you live near a flood zone but not in one.

Michael Grimm, FEMA’s assistant administrator for risk management, puts it this way: “Where it can rain, it can flood.”

How will I know that a storm could flood my house?

There’s no way to be sure. A hurricane’s track could change.

An inch or two of water — especially in a smaller storm — is the difference between a near miss and thousands of dollars in damage. A tropical storm or even a bad summer thunderstorm could

More online Neighborhood risk map Scan the code to search any Tampa Bay address and see what buildings could flood from hurricanes. You can also use this link: tbtim.es/floodzone

‘Rising Threat’ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times (2021)

Chris Carswell plays with his children, Cameron, 2, and Ciella, 3, in the pool behind their elevated home in St. Petersburg.

flood some places.

Pay attention to surge warnings, not just wind speed. The National Hurricane Center forecasts how high waters could rise.

Study flood-plain maps. They will help you to learn which parts of your city are most vulnerable.

Storm surge is not the only risk.

Rainfall alone can cause flash flooding.

Can homeowners eliminate flood risk on their own?

Not really. Homes are connected to a grid — electricity, water, sewage — that makes adapting to climate change more than just a personal problem.

Pricey options could help, including lifting houses, for which

FEMA offers limited grants.

Some residents are already tackling such drastic projects.

In Shore Acres, one of St. Petersburg’s most flood-prone neighborhoods, Chris and Brittany Carswell decided in 2020 to elevate their house on a canal. A contractor lifted the structure using jacks, then built a garage underneath.

The house was a little over 2,000 square feet, Chris Carswell said, and elevating cost about $200,000. That was a baseline; extra measures like putting walls around the ground level or finishing the space that was previously a garage can add tens of thousands of dollars. Inflated construction costs would further increase the bill for a similar project today.

Carswell, 42, knows not everyone can afford such an overhaul.

But he fears floods will get worse, and he wonders whether their home is a window into the Shore Acres of the future. Several couples have asked for their contractor’s name.

“It’s literally in your backyard.

You see it every single day, the water,” he said. “You’re ground zero.”

The project let them add finished square footage — a benefit with two growing children — and should help them save on flood insurance.

Seventeen steps now lead to Tampa Bay Times

The Tampa Bay Times partnered with the National Hurricane Center for an unprecedented look at the region’s vulnerability to storm surge, today and in the future with sea level rise. Read the series at tampabay.com/risingthreat.

Flood information

Learn more about your flood risk and what to do using these links: Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps: bit.ly/3wMhLbl First Street Foundation’s Flood Factor: floodfactor.com The Florida Division of Emergency Management: bit.ly/39O5HhW Pinellas County home buyer information about Special Flood Hazard Areas: bit.ly/3EZxZBU National Flood Insurance Program: bit.ly/3LAOuG5

their front door off Huntington Circle NE. They installed an elevator to the garage. From the landing, they look out on neighboring roofs.

When Carswell and his wife moved a decade ago, he watched for especially high tides that lapped over the lowest step of his neighbor’s dock. He still looks to that spot today.

More and more, he notices, the step is underwater.

Contact Zachary T. Sampson at zsampson@tampabay.com or 727893-8804. Follow @zacksampson.

Contact Langston Taylor at ltaylor@tampabay.com. Follow @langstonitaylor. | Sunday, May 29, 2022 |

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

BY ROSE WONG

Times Staff Writer

Will the power go out? How long will the food and water last? How bad is it going to get?

Hurricane season is here, and Tampa Bay residents may find themselves asking these questions over and over again during the six-month season — especially when it peaks in August through October. While the region hasn’t suffered a direct hit since the 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane, residents never know what the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic has in store for them.

Experts say the threat of flooding and property damage — on top of COVID-19 — can create significant stress, particularly for those with a history of anxiety and depression.

But just like you can get your home ready for a storm, you can also take steps to protect your mental health.

Here are four ways you can fortify yourself during hurricane season:

Mental health needs protection, too Here are some tips for dealing with the stress and anxiety of hurricane season.

Get ready for the storm now

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your home ready, check for your evacuation zone and look for the closest evacuation shelters. You should also map exit routes in advance and assemble and back up important documents and photos online. Make sure you have a 30-day supply of medication and seven days of food and water per person. (Don’t forget to get your pet ready, too.)

It doesn’t cost a lot of money to get ready for a storm, so don’t let that stress you out.

You can back up your important documents and photos using free cloud services and write in advance a list of valuable possessions you’ll want to take with you. And remember, evacuation shelters are free and also provide meals.

“People often feel much better when they have plans of action. Where anxiety really spikes is when you’re caught off guard,” said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

Check on the kids

For children who find comfort in following routine, the uncertainty of an oncoming storm may induce anxiety. That’s okay, Reynolds said, just make sure children know they aren’t alone.

“Talk about the fact that you’re scared or anxious so your little person knows that those feelings are normal,” Reynolds said.

Remember to get them ready for a storm, too. For babies that means getting their supplies ready: diapers, blankets, wipes, baby food, clean bottles and formula. (Even if you breastfeed, bring a week’s worth of powdered formula, just in case.)

Older children will also need clothes, kidfriendly canned goods and things to do, like books, cards, board games or paper and markers to keep them occupied.

Reach out to a professional

Don’t obsessively check weather updates

You can only be so informed. Once you’re done with your hurricane preparations, repeatedly checking the news or refreshing social media feeds for the latest updates will only make you overthink a situation you cannot control, Reynolds said.

Identify a trustworthy source for tracking the storm and check for updates at predetermined times in the day. Reynolds suggests spending the rest of that time disconnecting from the internet and focusing on calming activities, such as reading or playing board games, to take your mind off the weather.

Shutterstock

If you feel overwhelmed during a storm, you can still get help.

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline and crisis counselors available to anyone affected by a natural or human-made disaster.

English and Spanish speakers can call or text the helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or go to disasterdistress.samhsa.gov. The deaf and hard of hearing can connect directly with someone who uses American Sign Language 24/7 by clicking the “ASL Now” button at disasterdistress.samhsa.gov or calling 1-800985-5990 from their video phone. The helpline can also connect callers with counselors in more than 100 languages through interpreters.

Trained specialists are available to talk callers through emotional distress, connect them with local resources or answer general questions about disaster preparation.

Callers will find out how to recognize stress, how it affects individuals and families and give tips for healthy coping.

Floridians make up 10 percent of the helpline’s call volume during hurricane season,

See MENTAL, 15 Tampa Bay Times

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Let experts, not spaghetti models, guide you W

hich model is right?

We hear that question every time there is a hurricane threat.

This is my 26th hurricane season in Tampa Bay and my answer to that question is always, “It depends on the weather.”

Not an answer most want to hear. But there is no magic solution to a difficult MIKE hurricane forecast.

CLAY A few years ago, many thought the European model was the solution, but it has struggled in recent years as the U.S. GFS (Global Forecast System) model has made vast improvements. Then, don’t even get me started on the 20-30 members of the so-called spaghetti plot.

The best answer to that ques-

tion? The best forecast comes from a human, certified meteorologist and not simply a computer model.

The models are just mathematic equations, no better or worse than the way they were programmed.

The meteorologist with tropical experience knows the climatology and looks at the weather each day, not just when something interesting is going on. We understand the patterns and the bias each model has shown recently.

So what can you understand from the computer models? As a meteorology professor taught me 35 years ago, when all of the models say the same thing — you’d better go with the models.

In this case, the state of the atmosphere is such that it can be modeled well. If all of the models are pointed at you, you’ve got a problem. If the models are going in

A spaghetti model of predicted paths for thenTropical Depression Eta on Nov. 6, 2020.

The storm became a hurricane and passed just offshore of the Tampa Bay area on Nov. 11.

Spectrum Bay News 9 (2020)

all different directions, the atmosphere is chaotic, so all bets are off; the equations can’t solve the prob-

lem, so the models are showing different solutions. Be ready for rapid changes. Anything is possible.

The thing you don’t want to do is base your personal decisions on someone showing you one picture from one computer model output.

We call these “deterministic models,” and they might do fairly well in everyday weather, but tropical weather is different.

As a meteorologist, it takes me several hours of looking at models and their 40 or so ensemble members to make a forecast. You shouldn’t make personal safety decisions from something someone posted on social media. It is much more complicated.

Like always, we will be your “calm in the storm” with no hype this hurricane season. We all live here, have homes here and, above all, hope for another quiet season.

Mike Clay is chief meteorologist at Spectrum Bay News 9.

Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, May 29, 2022 |

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Phone useful in protecting your data and documents

BY JAMAL THALJI

Times Staff Writer

The key to saving your most important possessions from a major storm fits in your pocket.

Smartphones have changed the hurricane prep game. You can use them to take photos of your possessions for your insurer; scan and store copies of your important financial and medical records; save your most prized photos; and, afterward, take notes and photos of any damage.

All that information can be saved via an online cloud storage service, so even a lost or damaged phone won’t prevent you from filing insurance claims and starting your recovery.

You’ll still want to take some physical possessions with you during an evacuation, but phones can lighten that load.

One thing your phone may not

be able to do after a storm is pay for anything. Power and communications could be down. Don’t count on credit cards, mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Venmo, or banks being open. Keep enough cash on hand (and hidden) to get by for at least seven days after a storm.

Here’s a guide to preserving your stuff.

Create a checklist

• Create a list of the important doc-

uments — business, financial, personal, property and medical — that you need to preserve and protect.

• Don’t forget your kids’ records, and any older relatives’ who need help.

• The same goes for your business records. Scan and save digital copies of everything.

• Same for your photos. While our phones have become our cameras in recent years, you probably have

old family photos, VHS tapes, etc., that need to be digitized. Do it now.

Using your phone to photograph an older photo is better than nothing.

• Figure out which records should be stored digitally and which you need to take with you. The safest bet is to scan and save everything in the cloud, even the records and photo albums you’ll take with you.

• Make a checklist in advance of your most important physical possessions — paper records, photo albums, framed photos, home movies, etc. — so you know what to grab when it’s time to evacuate.

Protect your possessions • Photograph your home and busi-

nesses and everything inside — furniture, computers, TVs, anything you collect or value — before a storm, so that you can document everything in case you have to file a claim.

• Store physical copies of docu-

ments, photos and digital storage devices in waterproof containers or bags. Think hard plastic containers with locking lids. There are also waterproof and fireproof bags. Garbage and sandwich bags will fail.

• Don’t try to drag that heavy, waterproof, fireproof safe into a shelter. Scan the documents inside and leave it hidden at home — but not on the floor, in case it floods.

• Make sure everyone in your household has a waterproof pouch to keep their smartphone safe and dry. They’ll need extra charging cables and chargers, especially if you evacuate.

• Your phone is also your best tool after a storm. Use it to photograph and document damage to your home, business, vehicles and everything else after the storm.

How to go digital

Cloud storage is like an external hard drive, but on the internet. If you lose your home computer or phone, your data is still preserved somewhere away from the storm.

• Having a smartphone means you already have access to such services. Apple iPhones are backed up via iCloud and Android phones use Google.

• Cloud storage also can be accessed from a laptop, desktop or tablet. Along with iCloud and Google Drive, there’s Amazon Cloud Drive, DropBox and Microsoft’s OneDrive.

They all offer free storage, but you can pay for more space if needed.

• You can use an all-in-one printer to scan every document and save it as a PDF. There are also iOS and Android apps that can take photos of documents and make them PDFs. • Make sure your phone is automatically backing up the photos you take in the cloud (ask a knowledgeable person to double-check your phone settings or Google it.)

• Think about using two or more cloud services to back up your data, records and photos, just in case.

• You could still back up your data

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the old-fashioned way by storing more copies on external hard drives and thumb drives. You could take them with you; leave extra backups at home (unplugged) in a safe, dry place; put them in a safety deposit box; or mail them to a relative or friend. Those devices can be password-protected.

Preservation checklist

A guide to the records you should try to save.

Personal records  Any hard-to-replace documents  Birth certificates, marriage licenses  Citizenship papers, green cards  COVID-19 vaccination cards  Disability documents  Driver’s licenses, passports, military ID, any forms of identification  Health insurance cards  Immunization records  Medical records (especially for chronic conditions)  Prescriptions (paper copies, too, just in case)  Printed contact information (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, insurance providers, medical providers and subcontractors)  Social Security cards Financial and property records  Bank account numbers, checks, account statements  Credit card numbers, credit statements, customer service numbers  Deeds, leases or rental agreements  Health care surrogate document, signed and witnessed  Investment, retirement account records  Power of attorney document, notarized  Property insurance policies  Tax records  Vehicle registrations, titles, proof of insurance  Wills

Tampa Bay Times

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Don’t wait, prepare your home and business now

BY JAMAL THALJI

Times Staff Writer

There are two important steps you should take to protect your property before a storm makes landfall.

First, call your insurance agent and review your coverage.

Make sure your policies cover recent improvements and any increase in value in this real estate market. You’ll also need a separate flood policy because home policies don’t cover that or storm-related water damage.

Second, fix what needs to be fixed.

Hurricanes will exploit any damage, especially the roof. If that fails, it’ll allow wind and water to enter and severely damage your home or business.

Here’s a checklist of what else you can do to protect your property.

Secure and repair your home

• Roof tiles or shingles that are

worn out or missing should be replaced.

• If the roof leaks, fix it. Water infiltration could cause another set of problems, like mold.

• Inspect each window and door, and reseal them if needed. If they’re broken or busted, fix or replace

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them before the storm takes them out for good.

• Remember to lock windows and doors before a storm. Install a heavy-duty bolt to doors to keep them secure.

• The garage door is another way for storm winds and rains to invade a structure. Consider bracing or reinforcing the garage door with a kit from a home improvement store. If the garage door needs to be replaced, don’t wait until the last second.

• Remember that making repairs now is your call. If your home is severely damaged, then it becomes your insurer making the decisions.

Clean the yard

• Trim trees and foliage to reduce the potential missiles a storm could hurtle at your home or business, or someone else’s.

• Trimming trees around power lines is dangerous to do yourself.

Hire professionals.

• Even strong, healthy trees have damaged or weakened limbs.

Prune them.

• Dying trees, trees with multiple trunks and newly planted trees are all potential problems. They may not be able to withstand a tropical system. If they are close to your house, check them for cracks,

| Sunday, May 29, 2022 | Tampa Bay Times

decay or weak roots. They may have to be removed.

• Don’t wait until the storm shows up to trim and clean up your yard or property. If garbage day is canceled by the storm, those branches will become a pile of trouble sitting at the curb when tropical storm-force winds show up.

Eliminate flying objects

• Check around your home or business and secure anything the wind could pick up: outdoor furniture, flower pots, signs, etc. Remember loose objects also put your neighbors at risk.

• Store outdoor furniture inside, or sink them into the pool itself.

(Remove the cushions, of course.)

Even lawn decorations and potted plants could break a window if left outside.

• Taping windows doesn’t protect them. What will is covering them with plywood that’s at least ⅝ of an inch thick. Google how to properly hang plywood. Or consider installing shutters.

• Keep tarps and plastic garbage bags on hand to cover up storm damage, such as a damaged roof or busted window. You’ll also need mops, brooms, rakes, trash cans, etc. to clean up after a bad storm. In the worst-case scenario, a long-handled squeegee will help

get the mud and water out of a home.

• Buy hurricane supplies in advance. Avoid the last-minute rush into big box stores. There’s still a pandemic going on.

Sandbags

• Sandbags cannot prevent storm

surge from entering a structure. But when used right, they can help.

• Pile sandbags in front of doorways and garages to keep out minor flooding. If a careless driver plows through a flooded street, sandbags can help prevent waves from rippling into a home or business.

• There are more effective variants, such as water-activated flood bags.

They come in a variety of sizes — some as long as a two-car garage — and can be stacked together.

They’re also reusable.

• Prepare the inside of the home or business for flooding. Get anything the water could destroy off the floor.

Protect your electronics • Consider having a whole-home

surge protector hard-wired into the electric service panel to prevent a lightning strike from frying your electronics and appliances. Separate units can protect your cable, internet and phone lines.

• Make sure valuable electronics — TVs, computers, video game systems — are plugged into surge protectors. (Power strips don’t count.) Consider backup battery supply units.

• Surge protectors only last three to five years and can lose effectiveness without warning. Refresh them every few years.

• If you have to evacuate, unplug all your electronics.

• Don’t leave electronics on the floor or near windows. Place them on an elevated surface to protect them from flooding or water damage.

Contact Jamal Thalji at jthalji@tampabay.com.

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Tampa Bay Times

| Sunday, May 29, 2022 |

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Plan for the unexpected so you don’t panic later

A

s Benjamin Franklin once told the people of Philadelphia when discussing fire prevention: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

While residents of the Tampa Bay region thankfully don’t have to worry too much about fires, we do have our own natural disasters that come around every year: hurricanes. It seems like, as cliPAUL mate change proNANDA gresses, more volatile natural disasters, in all forms, threaten our region.

Storm experts have been saying for years that Tampa Bay is due for a major hurricane to hit our region. In fact, we were lucky locally a few years ago when Hurricane Irma skirted by, hitting just to our south. While it caused some significant damage and disruption of services, we did not see severe impacts on Tampa Bay. COVID-19 is changing the way we look at many aspects of everyday life — and hurricane preparedness should be no exception. Plans should focus on preparation, not panic.

Every year, we should take the opportunity in early spring to review and refresh our preparedness plans when it comes to hurricane planning. Too often, Floridians take the “let’s wait and see” or “hope for the best” approach to hurricane planning, especially from a medical perspective.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is to plan for the unpredictable and uncertain, which will help us sail through the upcoming storm season with ease and security.

In addition to the staples found in any household hurricane kit (drinking water, flashlights, batteries, a cellphone charger/backup battery, nonperishable food, a firstaid kit, duct tape, a well-formu-

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| Sunday, May 29, 2022 | Tampa Bay Times

lated evacuation plan, a safe place to stay or friends or family who will be open to housing you, your family, your pets, etc.), it’s a good idea to prepare medically as well.

It is important to have at least two weeks’ worth of medication — especially for chronic issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and asthma — but also for short-term medications that are needed should you get injured or be in pain.

Items such as elastic bandages, moldable splints, Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment and skin cleaners are equally important. No one plans to get injured, just like no one plans to get caught in a storm.

It’s wise to also consider any medications that may need to be refrigerated or temperature-controlled and to have a plan to store those as well.

It’s also good to remember that while everyone is tired of the pandemic, it is ongoing. We could see additional spikes of variants, so keeping a supply of surgical masks and hand sanitizer and having a backup place to stay if a friend or relative is sick or in isolation is also smart.

Hurricane shelters, as a last resort, can be an option, but they can be very crowded in a true emergency and can lead to exposure to respiratory viruses as well.

Often during and after a major storm, emergency services are stressed and emergency rooms can be extremely busy. So, while they are always a last-resort option, it is not best to count on them to be able to provide medications for chronic health conditions during a storm.

Here is where the planning part of the equation comes into focus: • Plan to have at least two weeks of extra medications for all your chronic medical conditions, and have a discussion with your primary care provider in advance to discuss your plan.

See NANDA, 15

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

MENTAL,

continued from 7 said agency spokesperson Christopher Garrett.

If you need help

• If you or someone you know

is contemplating suicide, contact the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by dialing 211 or by visiting crisiscenter.com. You can also reach out to the 24–hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at1-800273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or online using crisistextline.org; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

• Veterans can call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s veteran support hotline at1-844-693-5838 or visit myflvet.com. The National Veteran Crisis Hotline provides help 24 hours a day by calling1-800-273-8255 and pressing1, texting 838255 or via online chat at veteranscrisisline.net.

Mental health resources • The U.S. Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration offers counselors 24/7 during natural or manmade disasters.

Call or text1-800-985-5990 or go to disasterdistress.samhsa.gov. Interpreters are available for more than 100 languages. The deaf and hard of hearing can connect directly with someone who uses American Sign Language 24/7 by clicking the “ASL

NANDA,

continued from 14 • Keep a copy — either a paper copy or one you can easily reference/ access digitally — of a list of all your medications, allergies and chronic medical conditions, including your past family and surgical history.

• These bits of information can be key pieces of any medical puzzle that you might face in an emergent situation. You should also share this information with a spouse or any family member who might be faced with making medical decisions on your behalf and know what the emer-

Now” button or calling1-800-9855990 from their video phone.

• The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay specialists can provide immediate emotional support to callers or connect them with more than 3,000 community resources, from food to counseling to medical transportation. Call 211, visit crisiscenter.com or fill out the online help form at crisiscenter.com/get-help/.

• Eco-anxiety is defined as “chronic fear of environmental doom” and can lead to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. To find a climate-aware therapist, visit: bit.ly/39o1O3o • To find Black female therapists, visit: therapyforblackgirls.com.

• Learn to help others with mental health and substance use issues at: mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Domestic violence shelters

Hillsborough County: Call or text The Spring of Tampa Bay’s 24-hour crisis line at 813-247-7233 or visit thespring.org. The Talk to You line is 813-248-1050.

Pasco County: Contact Sunrise of Pasco County via its 24-hour hotline at 888-668-7273 or 352-521-3120, or go online to sunrisepasco.org.

Pinellas County: Contact Community Action Stops Abuse, or CASA, by calling the 24-hour hotline at 727895-4912, texting casa-stpete.org/ chat or visiting casapinellas.org.

The Talk to You line is 727-828-1269.

gency plan is should you find yourself in a true medical emergency.

• Of course, most nonemergent medical conditions can be seen and treated at an urgent care center or even in a pinch via telemedicine platforms these days.

So, thank you, Mr. Franklin: Your words still hold true. Let’s hope for the best, plan for the worst and, in all cases, like the Boy Scouts motto says, “be prepared.”

Paul Nanda is chief medical officer for TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, a network of urgent care clinics on both sides of Tampa Bay that are affiliated with Tampa General Hospital.

Tampa Bay Times

| Sunday, May 29, 2022 |

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16HH | Sunday, May 29, 2022 | Tampa Bay Times

Gulf of Mexico

For more information: bit.ly/3afCfSs

Category1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5

Wind speed (mph) 74 to 95 96 to110 111 to129 130 to156 157 and over

Saffir-Simpson Huricane Wind Scale

An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. The hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force-winds.

Hurricane warning

An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. The hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

Hurricane watch

Evacuation routes

15

12

14

11

To 35’

To 28’

To 20’

To 15’

To 11 ’

Potential storm tide height (feet)

Level E – Evacuate red, orange, yellow, green and purple areas and all manufactured home residents

Level A – Evacuate red areas and all manufactured home resident Level B – Evacuate red and orange areas and all manufactured home residents Level C – Evacuate red, orange and yellow areas and all manufactured home residents Level D – Evacuate red, orange, yellow and green areas and all manufactured homes

Evacuation levels

7

9

4

10

5

6

13

16

8

Lorem ipsum

3

1

2

Old Tampa Bay

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | PINELLAS COUNTY SHELTER AND EVACUATION ROUTES

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21. Bauder Elementary School, 12755 86th Ave. N,Seminole 22. Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N, St. Petersburg 23. New Heights Elementary School, 3901 37th St. N, St. Petersburg 24. Lealman Innovation Academy, 4900 28th St. N, St. Petersburg 25. John Sexton Elementary School, 1997 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg 26. Boca Ciega High School, 924 58th St. S, Gulfport 27. Fairmount Park Elementary School, 575 41st St. S, St. Petersburg 28. Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S, St. Petersburg 29. John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St. S, St. Petersburg 30. Campbell Park Elementary School, 1051 Seventh Ave. S, St.Petersburg 31. Melrose Elementary School, 1752 13th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 32. Jamerson Elementary School, 1200 37th St. S, St. Petersburg 33. St. Petersburg College Midtown Campus, 1300 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg 34. Gulfport Elementary School, 2014 52nd St. S, Gulfport 35. Thurgood Marshall Middle School, 3901 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg 36. James B. Sanderlin K-8, 2350 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg

South Pinellas County Shelters

1. East Lake Middle School, 1200 Silver Eagle Dr. #9101, Tarpon Springs 2. East Lake High School, 1300 Silver Eagle Dr. Tarpon Springs 3. Carwise Middle School, 3301 Bentley Dr., Palm Harbor 4. Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St., Palm Harbor 5. Palm Harbor CSA, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor 6. Palm Harbor Middle School, 1800 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor 7. Dunedin Highland Middle School, 70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin 8. McMullen-Booth Elementary School, 3025 Union St., Clearwater 9. Clearwater Fundamental Middle School, 1660 Palmetto St., Clearwater 10. Skycrest Elementary School, 10 N Corona Ave., Clearwater 11. Belleair Elementary School, 1156 Lakeview Road, Clearwater 12. Ross Norton Recreation Center, 1426 S MLK Jr. Ave., Clearwater 13. Oak Grove Middle School, 1370 S Belcher Road, Clearwater 14. Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave. N, Largo 15. Mildred Helms Elementary School, 561 Clearwater Largo Rd. S, Largo 16. High Point Elementary School, 5921 150th Ave. N, Clearwater

North Pinellas County Shelters

21

26 34

22

32 35

27 28

23

24

30

Tampa Bay

29 33 31 36

H

25

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | CITRUS COUNTY SHELTER AND EVACUATION ROUTES Evacuation levels S

-4

1

Level A – Evacuate red areas and all manufactured home resident Level B – Evacuate red and orange areas and all manufactured home residents Level C – Evacuate red, orange and yellow areas and all manufactured home residents Level D – Evacuate red, orange, yellow and green areas and all manufactured homes

N

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6 5 4 7

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11 "

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44 U V

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44 U V

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S L E CA N T O

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6 5 4 7

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6 5 4 7

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6 5 4 7 480

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A

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480

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Pet friendly shelters

Note: Not all shelters will be open. Check sheriffcitrus.org to find out which will open.

1. Pleasant Grove Elementary School, 630 Pleasant Grove Rd., Inverness 2. Forest Ridge Elementary School, 2927 N Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando 3. Citrus High School, 600 W Highland Blvd., Inverness 4. Inverness Primary School, 206 S Line Ave. 5. Inverness Middle School,1950 U.S. 41 N 6. Floral City Elementary School, 8457 E Marvin St., Floral City 7. WithlacoocheeTechnical College (Reception Center), 1201 W Main St., Inverness 8. Lecanto Primary School, 3790 W Educational Path 9. Lecanto Middle School, 3800 W Educational Path

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| Sunday, May 29, 2022 | Tampa Bay Times

T

10. Lecanto High School, 3810 W Educational Path 11. Hernando Elementary School, 2975 E Trailblazer Lane, Hernando 12. Citrus Springs Elementary School, 3570 W Century Blvd., Citrus Springs 13. Rock Crusher Elementary School, 814 S Rock Crusher Rd., Homosassa 14. Crest School, 2600 S Panther Pride Dr., Lecanto 15. Citrus Springs Middle School,150 W Citrus Springs Blvd.

16. Central Florida Community College, 3800 S Lecanto Highway, Lecanto 17. Central Ridge Elementary School,185 W Citrus Springs Blvd.,Citrus Springs 18. Renaissance Center, 3630 W Education Path, Lecanto

D A R H A TT

98 £ ¤

Shelters with ADA accessible restrooms

6 5 4 7

S

AC

Em ergency shelters she lters Emergency

D

R

E

S

Chassahowitzka

3 Miles

K B LV

480

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Level E – Evacuate red, orange, yellow, green and purple areas and all manufactured home residents

6 5 4 7

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Evacuation routes

VD

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Potential storm tide height (feet)

BU

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | HERNANDO COUNTY SHELTER AND EVACUATION ROUTES Evacuation levels Level A – Evacuate red areas and all manufactured home resident Level B – Evacuate red and orange areas and all manufactured home residents Level C – Evacuate red, orange and yellow areas and all manufactured home residents Level D – Evacuate red, orange, yellow and green areas and all manufactured homes

Potential storm tide height (feet)

Level E – Evacuate red, orange, yellow, green and purple areas and all manufactured home residents

To 14’ To 23’ To 26’ To 32’ To 40’

Evacuation routes

13 11 12

14

7

9

5

4

1

10 8

6 3

2

Em ergencyshelters shelters Emergency Shelters with ADA accessible restrooms

Pet friendly shelters

1. Challenger K-8 School, 13400 Elgin Blvd., Spring Hill Special needs only 2. Deltona Elementary School, 2055 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill 3. Nature Coast Technical High School, 4057 California St., Brooksville 4. Fox Chapel Middle School, 9412 Fox Chapel Ln., Spring Hill 5. Moton Elementary School, 7175 Emerson Rd., Brooksville 6. Chocachatti Elementary School, 4135 California St., Brooksville 7. Hernando High School, 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville

8. Springstead High School, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Brooksville 9. West Hernando Middle School,14325 Ken Austin Pkwy., Brooksville 10. Explorer K-8 School,10252 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill 11. Weeki Wachee High School, 12150 Vespa Way, Weeki Wachee 12. D.S. Parrott Middle School,19220 Youth Dr., Brooksville 13. Winding Waters K-8 School,12240 Vespa Way, Weeki Wachee 14. Central High School,14075 Ken Austin Pkwy., Brooksville

Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, May 29, 2022 |

19HH

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHELTERS* AND EVACUATION ROUTES MARTINEZ MIDDLE

RD

W LUTZ LAKE

CHEVAL B L VD

VD BL S N W O D BR

GE

RD

Tampa Palms

QUAIL MEADOW RD

ID

LAKE RD

BRUTON RD

Wilderness Park

NORTHDALE

ST

CORK RD

MCINTOSH RD

GALLAGHER RD

N 22ND ST

THONOTOSASSA

FLORIDA AVE

COOPER RD

FORBES RD

HA

MUD LAKE RD

TURKEY CREEK ELEMENTARY

CROSBY RD

OW

Brandon

N

BLVD

Providence

Durant

AV

PROVIDENCE RD

S 78TH ST

BL

RD E N E

DURANT SENIOR HIGH

Bloomingdale

R iCIMINO ve ELEMENTARY r

MCMULLEN LP

Riverview

BARRINGTON MIDDLE

BOYETTE RD

THOMPSON RD

NEWSOME HIGH

MCMULLEN MCMULLENRD RD

Gibsonton MacDill Air Force Base

SYMMES RD

SESSUMS ELEMENTARY

40TH AVE NE

B

BI G

GARDEN DR

DICKMAN RD

W RVIE RIVE

COVINGTON

RD

WYANDOTTE

ST 4TH

Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir

BIG BEND RD

Alafia River River State Park

RD

B LVD

Balm

DR

* Shelter list with address information on Page 22 SWEAT LOOP RD

19TH AVE NW

Evacuation levels

CYPRESS CREEK ELEMENTARY Ruskin 30TH

21ST

4TH

ST SE

ST

E SHELL POINT RD

AVE NE

W SHELL POINT RD

Li ttl e

REDDICK ELEMENTARY

SUN CITY CENTER BLVD

14TH AVE SE

Ma

COCKROACH BAY RD

Cockroach Bay Sun City Valroy

n a te

e

Little Manatee River State Park

Level A – Evacuate red areas and all manufactured home resident Level B – Evacuate red and orange areas and all manufactured home residents Level C – Evacuate red, orange and yellow areas and all manufactured home residents Level D – Evacuate red, orange, yellow and green areas and all manufactured homes

Level E – Evacuate red, orange, yellow, green and purple areas and all manufactured home residents Evacuation routes

| Sunday, May 29, 2022 | Tampa Bay Times

Potential storm tide height (feet)

Fort Lonesome

Wimauma LEONARD LEE RD

Gulf City

OWENS RD RD OWENS

19TH AVE NW

KEENE RD

SHIELDS MIDDLE

Tampa Bay

Picnic

SUMNER HIGH

CARLTON LAKE RD

SEA BLVD

GOLF &

YORK INNOVATION ACADEMY

GRANGE HALL LP

M

ING

Mangrove Point

Pinecrest

Boyette

O

L FA

CH

Shadow Run

BALM

OL AP

Apollo Beach BEA

BEVIS ELEMENTARY

SUMMERFIELD ELEMENTARY COLLINS D RD ELEMENTARY EN COLLINS ELEMENTARY

Adamsville

LO

BOYETTE SPRINGS STOWERS ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY

BROWING RD

RIVERVIEW HIGH

BOYETTE RD

NUNDY AVE

62ND AVE NE

20HH

NICHOLS RD

Lithia FISHHAWK BLVD FISHHAWK BLVD

GIBSONTON DR

AV

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR ST N

NELSON ELEMENTARY

BLOOMINGDALE AVE

RIVERVIEW DR

83

S DOVER RD

MULRENNAN MIDDLE

PROGRESS

MACDILL

RE BLVD SHO BAY

AV

TURKEY CREEK RD

N OW ST OS CR AVE

S HIMES Y

MADISON

Lake Medard DURANT RD

ia

BA

SUTTON RD

Hillsborough Bay

VALRICO ELEMENTARY

af

R TE

PORT

PROVIDENCE LAKES RD

Al

IN

S DALE MABRY HWY

South Tampa

36TH S KING AVE

EX

Progress Village

McCLEAN MIDDLE

E LUMSDEN RD

AVE S

AVE

S MANHATTAN

S WESTSHORE BLVD

ST 4TH

GE GE

CAUSEWAY BLVD

Davis Island

BLVD Y

RD

ID Y BR DY ND AN GA G

Y

Peter O Knight Airport

Sunset Park

W BRANDON A

CS W

ST RE EC PIN

EUCLID AVE

PINELLAS COUNTY

Palm River ST

HIA LIT

Palma Ceia

22 ND

RD

Harbour Island

Hyde Park

S FALKENBURG

E

S 78TH ST

ID G

PR

D BR

SW

KL AN

RE S

AN

E XP

D FR

Valrico

RD

BRANDON HIGH

RD

PURVIS

ST

W TRAPNELL RD EY DN SY

E KEYVILLE RD

OS

PALM RIVER RD

FOOD DR

Walden Lake

DRAWDY RD

CR

S KINGSWAY RD

W CYPRESS ST

PARSONS PARSONS AV AV

Ybor City

GORDON

PLANT CITY

SYDNEY RD FALKENBURG RD

W SPRUCE ST

Mango

MARSHALL MIDDLE

SIMMONS CAREER CENTER

MUD LAKE RD

ORIENT RD

N TAMPA ST

LOCKHART ELEMENTARY

Plant City Airport RD EY DN SY

CREEK RD

TURKEY

Seffner

SYDNEY DOVER RD

bo lls

MIDDLETON HIGH

W KENNEDY BLVD

W AR

ALEXANDER ST

RD

TOMLIN MIDDLE AIRPORT RD

E OLD HILLSBOROUGH AVE

Hi

ARMENIA AVE

AV

STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH Dover

Florida State Fairgrounds

W AZEELE ST

HO

E SAM ALLEN RD

W SAM ALLEN RD

RD

STAFFORD RD

E MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD

BLVD

N WESTSHORE

Old Tampa Bay

HIMES

AIR CARGO

N LOIS AVE

RD

ro

ug

h

EISENHOWER BLVD

Y HW

KELLY RD

L RIA O EM

TAMPA

Tampa International Airport

Tampa Executive Airport E HANNA AVE

M

E LL C AUS E WA Y CAM PB

SHEEHY ELEMENTARY

ERWIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE

EY

AV

BURNETT MIDDLE

RN

N DALE MABRY HWY

SLIGH N ROME AVE

HILLSBOROUGH AVE

RD

CORK ELEMENTARY

N KINGSWAY RD

JENNINGS MIDDLE

TEMPLE TERRACCE HWY

JOE EBERT RD

WILLIAMS

WILSON ELEMENATRY

N MANHATTAN AVE

HOOVER BLVD

WEBB RD

BLVD

EY

Thonotosassa

W WATERS AVE

WOODBRIDGE

COU RTN

RD

KNIGHTS ELEMENTARY

Antioch

TEMPLE TERRACE

E BOUGAINVILLE AVE

BUSCH BLVD

Town 'N Country

MAIN ST

E FOWLER AVE

PIZZO ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY DAVIS RD

Carrollwood

Lake Thonotosassa

University of South Florida YUENGLING E FOWLER AVE CENTER

AVE

MCKINLEY

Lake Carroll W LINEBAUGH AVE

SHELDON RD

NEBRASKA AVE

CANNELLA ELEMENTARY

E 131ST

N 30TH ST

E

LAKE MAGDALENE ELEMENTARY

GRIFFIN

r

GH AV

CARROLLWOOD ELEMENTARY

KNIGHTS

GRIFFIN RD

ve

EBA U

LOWELL RD

HW Y

Knights KNIGHTS

E FLETCHER AVE

Ri

LIN

W FLETCHER AVE

N 22ND ST

W

HENDERSON RD

GU NN

Lake Magdalene

N 46TH

Lake Magdalene

SGT. PAUL SMITH MIDDLE

N BOULEVARD

K AC TR

FOUR OAKS RD

CE RA

N 56TH ST

R

MORT ELEMENTARY MULLER ELEMENTARY BOWERS WHITLEY

VE SA RS

V

W BE A

DR

ES

Citrus

WALTER L. Park P S EX ERAN SICKLES HIGH ET

RD

N WILDER RD

SWA Y

BLVD

SOUTH MOBLEY RD

FIVE ACRE RD

MO

RR

HUTCHISON RD

S FORBES RD

R D

BR

TR

AC K

D

BENITO MIDDLE

CRESHAW

IS

CE

N MOBLEY RD

N DALE MABRY HWY

RA

R

BENITO MIDDLE

U

DEBUELD RD

LAKESHORE RD

HAMMOND ELEMENTARY

PRIDE ELEMENTARY

B

VAN DYKE RD

SO N

LIVINGSTON AV

Lake Keystone

PA TT ER

WHARTON HIGH

Hillsborough River State Park

HERITAGE ELEMENTARY

New Tampa

SUNSET LN

OAST

MCKITRICK ELEMENTARY

Lutz

FERN RD

SUNC

RD

WAYNE

GS RD N SPRIN TARPO

PA RPKA WRK AYW AY

STEINBRENNER HIGH

TURNER ELEMENTARY

BARTELS MIDDLE

NEWBERGER

ER LAKE F N RD

E

LUTZ

C

Keystone

To 11 ’ To 17’ To 22’ To 31’ To 38’

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | PASCO EVACUATION MAP

4 miles

Pasco list of of hurricane hurricaneshelters. shelters.IfIfthe thecounty countyorders orders evacuation, open shelters their locations be made available at Pasco County County did did not release a list anan evacuation, thethe listlist of of open shelters andand their locations will will be made available at mypasco.net MyPasco.net and shared viaand social media and media outlets.

Contact Pasco County Emergency Management 727-847-2411 and shared via social media media outlets.

Call Pasco County Emergency Management at (727) 847-8102 if at you need help. for more information.

Hurricane watch

An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area.The hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

Hurricane warning

An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere with in the specified area.The hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-forcewinds.

Saffir-Simpson Huricane Wind Scale Category1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5

Wind speed (mph) 74 to 95 96 to110 111 to129 130 to156 157 and over

Evacuation Evacuationlevels levels Level A – Evacuate red areas and all manufactured home resident Level B – Evacuate red and orange areas and all manufactured home residents Level C – Evacuate red, orange and yellow areas and all manufactured home residents Level D – Evacuate red, orange, yellow and green areas and all manufactured homes

Potential storm tide height (feet)

Level E – Evacuate red, orange, yellow, green and purple areas and all manufactured home residents

To 11’ To 17’ To 22’ To 30’ To 36’

Evacuation routes

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHELTERS (Map on Page 20) Barrington Middle, 5925 Village Center Dr., Lithia (pets) Bartels Middle, 9020 Imperial Oak Blvd., Tampa (pets) Benito Middle, 10101 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa Bevis Elementary, 5720 Osprey Ridge Dr., Lithia Bowers-Whitley, 13609 N 22nd St., Tampa Boyette Springs Elementary, 10141 Sedgebrook Dr., Riverview Brandon High, 1101 Victoria St., Brandon Burnett Middle, 1010N Kingsway Rd., Seffner (pets) Canella Elementary, 10707 Nixon Rd., Tampa Carrollwood Elementary, 3516 McFarland Rd., Tampa Cimino Elementary, 4329 Culbreath Rd., Valrico Collins Elementary, 12424 Summerfield Blvd., Riverwiew Cork Elementary, 3501 N Cork Rd., Plant City Cypress Creek Elementary, 4040NE19th Ave. NE, Ruskin Durant High, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City (pets) Hammond Elementary, 8008 N Mobley Rd., Odessa

Heritage Elementary, 18201 E Meadows Rd., Tampa Jennings Middle, 9325 Governors Run Dr., Seffner Knights Elementary, 4815 Keene Rd., Plant City Lake Magdalene Elementary, 2002 Pine Lake Dr., Tampa Lockhart Elementary, 3719 N17th St., Tampa Marshall Middle, 18 S Maryland Ave., Plant City Martinez Middle, 5601 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz Mckitrick Elementary, 5503 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz Middleton High, 4801 N 22nd St., Tampa Mort Elementary, 1806 Bearss Ave., Tampa Muller Elementary, 13615 N 22nd St., Tampa Mulrennan Middle, 4215 Durant Rd., Tampa Nelson Elementary, 5413 Durant Rd., Tampa Newsome High, 16550 Fish Hawk Blvd., Lithia Pizzo Elementary, 11701 Bull Run Dr., Tampa Pride Elementary, 10310 Lions Den Dr., Tampa Reddick Elementary, 325 West Lake Dr., Wimauma

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| Sunday, May 29, 2022 | Tampa Bay Times

Sessums Elementary, 11525 Ramble Creek Dr., Tampa Sheehy Elementary, 6402 N 40th St., Tampa Shields Middle, 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin (pets) Sickles High, 7950 Gunn Hwy. , Tampa (pets) Simmons Career Center, 1202 W Grant St., Plant City Sgt. Paul Smith Middle, 14303 Citrus Pointe Dr. , Tampa (pets) Steinbrenner High, 5575 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz Stowers Elementary, 13915 Barrington Stowers Dr., Lithia Summerfield Elementary, 11990 Big Bend Rd., Riverview Tomlin Middle, 501 N Woodrow Wilson St., Plant City Turkey Creek Middle, 5005 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City Turner Elementary, 9190 Imperial Oak Blvd , Tampa Valrico Elementary, 609 S Miller Rd., Valrico Wharton High, 20150 Bruce B Downs Blvd., , Tampa Wilson Elementary, 702 W English St., Plant City

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Don’t let your guard down; forecasters say they expect another active Atlantic season

BY JOSH FIALLO

Times Staff Writer

The Atlantic has seen six active hurricane seasons in a row. Forecasters predict that the 2022 storm season will be the seventh.

This year could see an above-average hurricane season with 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes, according to Colorado State University’s Tropical Weather & Climate Research team, one of the world’s leading forecasters.

AccuWeather, a commercial forecaster, predicts 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight reaching hurricane strength and three to five becoming major storms.

Sarasota’s nonprofit Climate Adaptation Center calls for 22 named storms, nine to 11 hurricanes and five major storms.

When forecasters say an “above-average” or active hurricane season, they’re predicting the number of storms that form will exceed the 30-year average of 14 named systems, seven hurricanes and three major storms in the Atlantic Ocean.

A major storm is a hurricane that reaches Category 3 strength and generates wind speeds of 111 mph or greater.

While each forecast varies in what led to the prediction of an active season, the major factors were the same: the presence of La Niña in the Pacific Ocean, as well as warmer-than-usual water temperatures in the Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

La Niña is a cold-water phenomenon in the Pacific that affects weather patterns across the world.

It is expected to appear this summer, creating favorable conditions for Atlantic storms by limiting the wind shear that would typ-

ically tear apart tropical cyclones before they strengthen, says AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Kottlowski.

Kottlowski added that La Niña was present in 2020 and 2021, which had a combined 51 named storms — the most in any two-year span in recorded history.

“This continuous La Niña-like signal we’ve seen for the last several years looks like it’s probably going to persist through this year’s hurricane season,” said Phil Klotzbach, the lead hurricane researcher at Colorado State University. “So if it feels like it’s been busy, it has.”

The intensity of this year’s La Niña is less than the past two years, however. That’s why Climate Adaptation Center CEO and researcher Bob Bunting believes this season won’t approach the record-breaking 30 storms that formed in 2020.

Seasonal storm predictions are meant to warn those who live in the path of Atlantic storms of the potential risks they face when the six-month hurricane season starts June 1. But it only takes one hurricane to make landfall and devastate a region.

Tampa Bay is particularly vulnerable. A Tampa Bay Times special report, “Rising Threat,” found that the region faces a greater risk of storm surge than nearly anywhere else in the United States and that sea-level rise is making the threat of flooding even worse.

Bunting says storms will be plentiful this year because water temperatures are already warmer than usual throughout the tropics. He noted that the water off of Florida’s coast was as much as 4 degrees warmer than average this April. This water is “rocket fuel” for storms and could cause them to

rapidly intensify ahead of landfall.

“It is very obvious that we have above-normal water temperatures this year,” Bunting said, “and they’re not going to be getting any cooler.”

The Tampa Bay region hasn’t suffered a direct strike in 101 years, not since the 1921 Tampa Bay Hurricane came ashore in Tarpon Springs and devastated the region.

Florida hasn’t had a major hurricane make landfall since Hurricane Michael struck the panhandle as a Category 5 storm in October 2018.

But Kottlowski says the state’s luck is bound to run out eventually — and this year may see a larger threat to Florida’s western coast than usual. He says it’s because of the location of the Bermuda high, an area of pressure in the Atlantic that can direct storms to or away from the Sunshine State. The high is further south than usual and may steer storms into the Gulf of Mexico in the early months of the season.

“People in Tampa Bay have had a lot of close calls but not a direct hit,” Kottlowski said. “That’s largely because of luck and, with more storms headed into the Gulf of Mexico, people there need to be ready.”

Kottlowski worries about new residents who haven’t seen a major storm make landfall. Since 2018’s Michael, the state has added about 1 million residents, according to World Population Review.

“There are people who’ve moved to Florida in the past five years who think they understand hurricane season because of the close calls,” he said. “But being brushed by a hurricane is not the same as being in its path. I fear the close calls will create a dangerous, false sense of security.”

National Hurricane Center

A map created by the National Hurricane Center shows the tracks of all the named storms from 2021.

Read the 2022 forecasts

Colorado State University Tropical Weather & Climate Research forecast: bit.ly/3kWSmGu Accuweather forecast: bit.ly/3997wGd Climate Adaptation Center forecast: bit.ly/39OlrSl

Comparing 2022 to other seasons

Colorado State University forecasters say 2022 shares similar January, February and March environmental conditions as these past hurricane seasons, including last year.

Named storms Hurricanes Major hurricanes

1996 13 9 6

2000 15 8 3

2001 15 9 4

2008 16 8 5

2012 19 10 2

2021 21 7 4

2022 Atlantic storm names  Alex  Bonnie  Colin  Danielle  Earl  Fiona

 Gaston  Hermine  Ian  Julia  Karl  Lisa

Tampa Bay Times

 Martin  Nicole  Owen  Paula  Richard  Shary

 Tobias  Virginie  Walter

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

GET IT TOGETHER

Shutterstock

You’ll need more than one kind of hurricane kit. Here are checklists for your personal kit and kits for the home, vehicle, kids and pets.

BY JAMAL THALJI

Times Staff Writer

You need to do more than get your home ready for a hurricane. You need to get ready, too.

That means building a hurricane kit by assembling the food, water, medication and gear you and your household will need to ride out the storm. But your needs will vary: Your children and your grandparents will require different supplies than you, and everyone will have to take a different approach depending on whether you stay home, head to a shelter or go to someone else’s house.

That’s why the Tampa Bay Times has assembled several checklists to help you prepare, no matter the situation.

The most important rule of hurricane prep is the seven-day rule: Florida officials urge residents to have seven days’ worth of nonperishable food and water per family member (including pets). That’s how long it could take before help and supplies reach your area after a devastating storm.

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The standard hydration rule is that each person will need at least one gallon of water per day.

You should keep at least 30 days’ worth of prescription medication on hand. Getting refills after a storm won’t be easy.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (floridadisaster.org), the Department of Homeland Security (dhs.gov), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.ready.gov/kit) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (bit.ly/3G8IW4I) also offer checklists.

Hurricane kits should be built for different purposes, whether for staying in an evacuation shelter or in someone else’s home. Remember that when you go to a shelter, you’re not going camping. Water, meals and perhaps even beds will be provided. But if you go to someone’s house, don’t rely on them to feed, care for and hydrate your family. Do your part.

So get your seven-day supply ready first, then go through these checklists: See LISTS, 25

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | LISTS Personal hurricane kit

pain relievers, etc.)

Build a go bag — aka a “bug out bag” — that has everything you’ll need in a backpack or two if you have to evacuate with little notice. It’s the kind of bag you should keep ready year-round in Florida, where the weather can always turn against us.

 Pandemic masks (N95 or KN95 masks; do

 Air horns or whistles, to call for help

 Portable power banks for smartphones,

 Assorted batteries, including for hearing aids

not rely on cloth or surgical masks)

 Pens and paper (don’t run down your phone

battery by writing stuff down)

 Personal wipes (antibacterial)  Phone charging cables, wall chargers

tablets

 Backpacks, sturdy and waterproof

 Rain jacket and pants/poncho

 Can opener (manual, never electric)

 Rubber boots

 Cash (no power or cell service means no

credit cards or mobile payments)  COVID-19 test kits  Disinfecting wipes  Extra clothing and socks, including something warm in case it gets cold  First-aid kit  Hand sanitizer  Handheld lanterns  Headlamp and batteries  Identification, insurance card, etc.  Insect repellent  NOAA Weather Radio, battery or hand-crank  Nonprescription medication (anti-diarrheal,

 Safety work gloves  Spare contacts and eyeglasses (also

eyedrops)

 Spare keys to homes, businesses and

vehicles

 Sturdy boots or shoes (and a backup pair)  Sunscreen, lip balm  Sleeping bags  Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss  Water purification tablets  Waterproof folders, for documents and

photos

 Waterproof matches and lighter

Shutterstock

See LISTS, 26

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | LISTS Home hurricane kit

If you lose power after a storm, if your home or neighborhood gets hit hard or if help is unable to reach you for a while, this gear will make your wait at home much easier. If you have camping gear, you’re already in good shape.  Bleach (to clean up mold)  Carbon monoxide detector, batterypowered (for gas-powered generators)  Can opener (manual, never electric)  COVID-19 test kits  Disinfecting wipes  Duct tape  Extra water (fill bathtubs for flushing)  Hand soap  Fan, battery-operated  Fire extinguisher  First-aid kit  Garbage bags, plastic sheeting (for garbage and covering broken windows)  Insect repellent, insect candles  Long-handle squeegees for scraping mud out of a flooded home  Laser pointer, to attract help in the dark (aiming one at an aircraft is a federal crime)  Laundry detergent, bucket for washing clothes  NOAA Weather Radio, battery or handcrank  Pandemic masks (N95 or KN95 masks; do not rely on cloth or surgical masks)  Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils  Paper towels (better than sponges if there’s no water)  Personal wipes (anti-bacterial)  Portable air-conditioner that can run off a generator  Portable camping stove  Portable generator (never operate one indoors; beware of carbon monoxide poisoning)  Portable power banks for smartphones and tablets  Powerful flashlight  Rags, sponges, mops for cleanup  Safety work gloves  Spray paint (to paint address, insurance carrier on house)  Surge protectors or power strips  Tarps (for damaged roofs, walls and windows)  Termite bait and ant poison  Toilet paper  Tool kit

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Shutterstock

 Toothbrushing pads (when water is in

short supply)

 Wrench or pliers, to turn utilities on and off

See LISTS, 29

HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

Times (2017)

You need an emergency plan for your pets, too W

ith the state expected to face another active hurricane year, officials are urging Floridians to begin their planning now. For many, this includes preparing homes, stocking up on essential supplies, practicing generator safety and planning for an evacuation. While most know how to keep their families safe and comfortable during an extreme weather JAMES event (and more specifically, BARR an evacuation), many are unsure of what they should do to protect their furry companions.

Leaving pets out of an evacuation plan

not only poses risks for pets and their owners but also for first responders who may venture into dangerous areas or situations to retrieve a family dog or cat. Pets left behind during a hurricane — even if in a high-level, “safe” place — can become injured, lost or worse, so it is always best to bring them along.

Here is what you should do to prepare your pet.

Include your pet in your emergency plan

Pets have their own unique needs, and they impact where you and your family may

be able to stay if you need to evacuate your home. It is important to know that pets may not be allowed in certain shelters unless they are service animals, and if they are accepted, space may be limited and pre-registration may be required. In fact, many national disaster evacuation centers like the Red Cross do not accept any pets or animals.

Make sure you designate pet-friendly shelters, or pet-friendly hotels, as well as 24/7 emergency veterinary hospitals along your evacuation routes. Also, if your final destination is an out-of-town friend’s or relative’s home, make sure they are comfortable with you bringing Fido or Fifi along.

They may have their own pets that are not

welcoming to strangers — two- or fourlegged. Lastly, ensure that your pet is up to date on all vaccinations. Pet-friendly shelters will only accommodate animals that are current on vaccines.

Pro tip: In the case of a true emergency evacuation where Fido is regrettably left at home, create a buddy system that will get him or her out of there safely. This can be a trusted neighbor or friend who can enter your home to evacuate your pets if necessary. You may also want to fill out and post a pet emergency sticker on your front door to indicate to officials that a pet may be left inside.

See PETS, 28

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022

PETS,

continued from 27

Prepare a disaster kit Like humans, pets need essential items to live — food, water, shelter. But beyond these things, there are ways pet owners can ensure a pet is not only healthy but also safe and comfortable during a natural disaster.

As a general rule, do not wait to gather your hurricane essentials. Create a pet disaster kit in advance to ensure a swift and efficient evacuation for you and your loved ones.

Here is what you will want to include in your kit: • A pet collar with current contact information. Ensure your pet’s collar is secure and that they will not be able to shimmy out of it in an emergency.

• A pet carrier for each of your pets. Make sure to write the pet’s name, as well as your contact information, on the carrier to ensure it is returned to you should it become lost.

• Food and water for at least two to three weeks for each pet. It is always wise to assume there will be a shortage of clean drinking water during a disaster, so plan to bring your own for your furry companion. Also, if your pet is on a special prescription diet, make sure you bring ample amounts of their food. Some veterinarians do not have prescription diets well-

By practicing, you can make a real evacuation easier for you and your pets.

stocked, so you may want to order these items in advance. Collapsible water and food bowls.

• For cats: a litter box and litter.

• Medications for at least two to three weeks.

• Medical records. These should include all necessary vaccinations for rabies and other diseases, as well as a detailed medical history.

In the case of another person tending to your pet, they will need to

know if your pet has certain medical conditions and any key details regarding the timing and dosage of the medication.

• Leashes or harnesses (at least two).

• Microchip number (if applicable). This information should be included in your pet’s medical records and on their carrier.

If your pet is not microchipped, consider having it done. Micro-

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chipping is one of the best ways to ensure that your pet is returned to you if they become lost. Also, make sure the microchip is registered with the manufacturer, and keep your contact information up to date with the microchip company.

Your and your primary veterinarian’s contact information. Keep this on your pet’s crate and include it in their medical records.

Practice evacuating

Evacuating can be stressful for you and your pet. Familiarizing them with the process will help desensitize them to the situation.

Here are a few ways to acclimatize your pet to high-stress situations like an evacuation:

• Leave the crate out and make sure it is in a comfortable place.

You may want to set a blanket and a few of their favorite toys inside.

• Practice transporting your pet.

Bring your pet with you on short errand runs or to see family or friends. This will help them adjust to being in the car.

• Know your pets’ hiding spots.

Frightened animals may exhibit behavior changes and hide in hard-to-reach places. During hurricane season, you may want to block off these places, which may include underneath couches and beds or above cabinets.

• Consider practicing catching your pet. Remember: You will need to move them quickly out of harm’s way in an emergency evacuation, so practice the skills you will need for when that time comes.

• Inform the family. Make sure every member of the household knows what to take, where to find pets, and where to meet in an emergency.

• While we hope this hurricane season does not call for evacuations, it is necessary to plan ahead.

Keep you and your family safe this season by including your pet in your emergency plans, and make sure to locate 24/7 veterinarian hospitals along your route in case of a medical emergency.

Find a pet-friendly hotel • Go to bringfido.com or call

877‑411‑3436 • Search dogfriendly.com or call 833‑475‑2275 • Search petswelcome.com • Search tripswithpets.com James Barr is the chief medical officer of BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital.

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | LISTS Vehicle hurricane kit

In an emergency, your vehicle may be the safest place you can stay after a storm. So make sure it has what your family needs.  Car shovel/pick  Cash (tow trucks, repair shops may not take electronic payment)  Disinfecting wipes  Duct tape  Emergency blankets  Fire extinguisher  First-aid kit  Fuse kit  Garbage bags, plastic sheeting (for garbage and covering broken windows)  Jumper cables  Maps, map books (physical, not digital; must be up-to-date)  Multitool  Personal wipes (anti-bacterial)

 Tire jack

 Hand sanitizer

 Tire sealant, puncture repair kit

 Hypoallergenic adhesive tape

 Vehicle registration, proof of

 Instant cold compress

insurance  Water repellant  Wipes

First-aid kit

You can buy a ready-made first-aid kit or build a robust one yourself.

 Phone cables  Portable air compressor  Portable jump starter

 Power inverter, for charging

devices  Safety work gloves  Spare tire (that actually works)

 Moistened towelettes  Mosquito repellent  Petroleum jelly  Safety pins  Sewing needle

 Allergy medication  Aloe

 Soap

 Antacid

 Splint

 Anti-diarrheal medication

 Sterile adhesive bandages

 Antiseptic agent  Antiseptic wipes

 Pocket knife

 Laxative

 Scissors

 Antihistamine cream Shutterstock

 Latex gloves

 Aspirin, pain relievers  Burn relief spray  Cotton balls/swabs  Eyewash

(all sizes)

 Sterile gauze pads  Sunscreen  Triangular bandages  Thermometer  Tweezers

See LISTS, 30

 First-aid manual

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HURRICANE GUIDE 2022 | LISTS Children’s hurricane kit

Whether evacuating or staying, children need a hurricane kit, too. Their needs vary by age, and remember to get 30 days’ worth of their prescription medications in advance, too. If you’re breastfeeding, experts say to keep a week’s worth of powdered formula on hand, just in case.  Baby food  Baby wipes  Blankets, pillows  Books, games, playing cards,

puzzles (do not rely on tablets to entertain children)  Child’s insurance ID  Clean bottles  Diapers  Drawing paper; crayons, markers, pens  Dry, extra clothing and underwear  Formula

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 Kid-friendly canned goods  Medical alert bracelet (if needed)  Nonprescription medication (anti-

diarrheal, pain relievers, etc.)

 Cat litter, newspaper, even paper

towels

 Crate or sturdy carrier  Disposable litter trays for cats

 Personal wipes (anti-bacterial)

 Disposable bags for pet clean-up

 Sturdy shoes, rubber boots

 Extra collar with updated pet tag,

 Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss  Toys (that can be damaged

or lost)

Pet hurricane kit

If you’re staying home, make your life easier and get your pet’s hurricane kit ready now. Getting your pet microchipped will help ensure you’ll be reunited with your pet if you’re separated. Keep your microchip contact information up to date. Also, make sure your pet is wearing a tag with your current contact information. Some shelters do accept pets, but you’ll still need to pack up their gear.  Blanket

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contact information

 Extra leashes  Medications, 30-day supply  Medical records  Muzzle  Pet first-aid kit  Pet food, seven-day supply  Pet microchip (keep updated)  Pet toys  Pet wipes  Portable food and water bowls  Puppy pads  Recent photos of pets (in case

you’re separated)

 Service animal supplies  Treats

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