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Pinellas County, Florida |
This handbook has been designed to help you prepare your family and your home for the potentially devastating effects of a hurricane or tropical storm.
By planning ahead you can minimize the dangers of these storms. By planning now you also reduce the discomforts of recovery and the time required to return your life to normal.
Please read this guide thoroughly and discuss it with your family - you should develop your family plan together. Write your plan on the pages provided and keep your handbook readily available during the hurricane season: June 1 through November 30.
Tropical storms and hurricanes are formed when several different weather conditions occur simultaneously. The two basic ingredients are warm ocean waters and favorable wind conditions. These conditions, called tropical cyclones, occur every year in the Tropics between late May and early November.
A tropical storm is a lesser form of a hurricane. On average, about 10 named tropical storms develop each hurricane season. About half of these strengthen into hurricanes.
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with winds exceeding 74 mph, originating in the tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, or the Gulf of Mexico.
Here are a few of the most destructive hurricanes to strike Florida over the last 100 years:
1921 The last major hurricane to hit Pinellas County. This Category 3 storm made landfall near Ozona, passing across the state and exiting at Jacksonville.
1928 1,836 people died in this Category 4 storm, which made landfall near Palm Beach, causing widespread destruction. Most deaths were caused by Lake Okeechobee levy breakage.
1935 Strongest storm ever to hit Florida. This Category 5 Labor Day storm killed over 400 people, including World War I veterans sent to the Keys to build the Overseas Highway. Winds estimated at 180 mph.
1960 Hurricane Donna, packing 150 mph winds, caused almost $2 million in damages to the Keys and southeast Florida. 50 people died in this Category 4 storm.
1985 Hurricane Elena, a Category 3 storm, pounded Pinellas County and west central Florida for three days. Although not a direct hit, the storm caused $100 million in damages in Pinellas County alone.
1992 Hurricane Andrew plowed across south Florida with 150 mph winds as a Category 4 storm, causing $30 billion in damages.
1995 The busiest hurricane season since 1933. 3 hurricanes and 1 tropical storm struck Florida causing more than $2.4 billion in damages.
It is impossible to predict when the next hurricane will affect our area. PLEASE BE PREPARED!
There are 5 strengths of hurricanes. They are categorized based upon their sustained
winds, with Category 1 being the weakest and Category 5 being the most powerful. Hurricanes
and tropical storms present 4 distinct hazards to us.
Storm Surge: The most dangerous hazard, storm surge is a large dome of water that
is pushed up on the land as the hurricane comes ashore. The shallowness of the Gulf of
Mexico and strong winds will intensify the effects of storm surge on Pinellas County. We
could experience a 24-foot storm surge with a Category 5 hurricane. This would temporarily
create two island areas in the county.
In a Category 5 hurricane, Pinellas County essentially would become 2 islands, (the rest being covered with water).
Winds: The winds that generate storm surge also cause damage themselves. Most
vulnerable to these winds are trees, power lines, signs, manufactured homes, recreational
vehicles, and homes and businesses with unprotected windows.
Tornados: As they move on shore, hurricanes can spawn numerous tornados. These
tornados can occur without warning and add to the destructive potential of the hurricane.
Rain: Hurricanes and tropical storms often bring very heavy rains for extended
periods. From 6 to 8 inches of rain can fall in 24 hours or less producing flooding in
many areas.
The following chart lists each storm category and its impact on a home at 5 feet above sea
level.
Don't wait until a tropical storm or hurricane is near! Once the hurricane watch is issued, time and supplies run dangerously short. Use this chronological checklist to be sure you accomplish your family plan in a safe and orderly manner.
If yes, you are required to evacuate for all hurricanes.
(Read this carefully: From here on it gets a little more difficult.) Pinellas County has 5
levels of evacuation which correspond to the 5 categories/strengths of hurricanes. The
goal is to evacuate only those levels necessary based on the strength of the approaching
storm. No more and, certainly, no less.
If you don't know, call 464-3800. Our staff will determine your level.
Our regular office hours are from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Determine
your evacuation level before a hurricane threatens - otherwise it will be too late.
- Should I go to a Host Home?
- Will I travel out of town? Where will I go? Have I made arrangements?
- Does my employer provide a special shelter for me and my family?
- What will I do with my pet(s)?
- How will I secure my boat
Please enter your decisions in My Family Plan in section 10.
No Transportation - No one To Help You?
Call Pinellas County Emergency Management, 464-3800, now to pre-register for evacuation assistance.
Almost 600,000 of the County's residents live in evacuation levels or mobile homes. Yet, there are not enough public shelter spaces to accommodate this number. The Host Home program has been developed to help alleviate this shortfall. The program actively involves businesses, civic organizations and churches in the sheltering process by matching members who must evacuate with those who do not. Participating organizations help their members and reduce the demand for public shelters. If you as an individual, or your employer, civic organization or church would like to participate, please call Pinellas County Emergency Management at 464-3800.
If you stay or evacuate, place your pet in a secure pet carrier and be sure to have
adequate food and water with you.
Family pets are not allowed in public shelters.
If you must leave your pet at home, prepare an area that is easily cleaned, such as a
bathroom or utility room. Do not leave the animal near a window. Leave several days supply
of dry food and water in non-splillable containers.
In the event of a hurricane, stray animals will be taken to Pinellas County Animal
Services, 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo where they may be reclaimed.
Horses and livestock have a better chance for survival when turned out in clean pastures
with native vegetation. In Pinellas County, Walsingham Park (mid-county) and
Eldridge-Wilde Wellfield (north county) are the designated evacuation locations.
Please enter your decisions in My Family Plan in Section 10.
Steel roll-down shutters
Steel shutter panels
1/2" or thicker plywood
Note: Proper installation is extremely important.
If you live in a flood-prone area, now is the time to purchase flood insurance. Most Pinellas County communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. This program makes lower cost flood insurance available to residents living in designated flood-prone areas. If you live in the unincorporated areas and have questions about the program, call the Pinellas County Planning Department at 464-4751. If you live in a municipality, call your city hall.
Properly dispose of your household chemical waste before a hurricane strikes. Clean out
your storage areas and garage now.
The Household Chemical Collection Center (HC3)
located at 2800 110th Ave. N., St. Petersburg accepts household chemicals for proper
disposal. Hours are Mondays, 9-5, Thursdays, 10-6 and the third Saturday of every month,
9-4. Special hours will apply during disasters. The HC3 24-hour InfoLine is 464-4623.
For proper disposal of gasoline, kerosine, explosives and used oil, call 464-7565.
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If you live in an area that is not required to evacuate and cannot protect all your
windows and doors, for whatever reason, you must identify and protect a portion of your
home - a safe room!
How to select your safe room:
The contents of your survival kit should be personalized for you.
Our suggestions are just a starting point. Think about your needs, whether you stay or
evacuate, and include these additional items in your checklist. Build your survival
kit. See section 9
A hurricane may affect our area in 36 hours. Now is the time to:
You have about 8 hours to accomplish the following:
The leading edge of the storm is just hours away. Complete all preparations as soon as possible.
Stay inside.
In the next few pages you will find helpful hints for coping without water, sewer and electricity; what you should know about trash and debris collection; filing insurance claims; avoiding unlicensed contractors; and the assistance available from disaster relief agencies.
Leave your safe room slowly and carefully. Inspect damage inside your house only.
If you have exhausted your water supplies and have a well, you can follow some water
purification procedures until water service is restored.
Contaminated water can contain microorganisms that cause disease. You should purify any
water of which you're uncertain. There are many ways to purify water; none are perfect.
Often the best solution is a combination of methods.
Before purifying, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom, or strain them through
layers of clean cloth.
The following are three purification methods, all of which kill microbes:
BOILING is the safest way to purify water. Bring water to a rolling boil for 10 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Of course, let cool before drinking. Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it. Do this by pouring water back and forth between 2 clean containers. This also will improve the taste of stored water.
CHLORINATION uses pure, unscented, liquid chlorine bleach to kill microorganisms in water. Add 2 drops of bleach per quart of water (4 drops if the water is cloudy), stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not smell or taste of chlorine at that point add another 2 drops and let stand for 15 minutes.
PURIFICATION TABLETS release chlorine and iodine into the water. They are inexpensive and are available at most sporting goods stores and some drug stores. Follow the package directions. Usually 1 tablet is enough for 1 quart of water. Double the dose for cloudy water.
Your hot water heater is another source of usable water.
The hot water heater should be shut off, the inlet valve closed and drained
of sediment (until water runs clear) and then refilled (opening inlet valve
again). If you use this
source of water and your electricity is off, turn off the circuit breaker
so the heating elements don't burn out when power is restored.
Emergency Restroom Facilities
Report
property damage to your insurance agent immediately. Your agent should provide
you with claim
forms and arrange for an insurance adjuster to visit your property
and assess the damage.Home repairs after a disaster may be the most stressful time for a consumer. The following tips will assist you in identifying unlicensed contractors and con artists:
Pinellas County Consumer Protection can answer questions about any unlawful activities. Call 464-6200.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may establish Disaster Recovery Centers in the disaster area. These centers are kept in operation as long as required. Individual assistance, depending on the severity of the emergency, may include:
If you live in a manufactured home or in an evacuation level, the best option is to make
arrangements with either friends, relatives, or co-workers, or at your place of employment
in a non-evacuation area.
The last option is public shelters. Space is very limited and conditions are austere. If
you plan to evacuate to a public shelter, be prepared for very crowded conditions.
This is where you apply what you have learned from the previous pages. Entering vital information on these pages will make it easier to follow when needed.
Our Evacuation Level:______________________________________
Where we'll go if/when we need to evacuate
(name,address,phone#):___________________________________
Have I made appropriate arrangements?....................___Yes ___No
Have I notified family and friends of our plans?............___Yes ___No
If Yes, list names, addresses, phone #s___________________________
Will I go to a Host Home?...........................................___Yes ___No
If Yes, list name, address and phone #_________________________
Does my employer provide a special shelter for me and my family?___Yes ___No
If Yes, list name, address and phone #_________________________
Name/type of pet(s)?______________________________________
What will I do with my pet(s)?
If I stay,_________________________________________________
If I go,___________________________________________________
Have a boat?.............................................................___Yes ___No
If Yes, how will I secure it?__________________________________
If I stay, what preventive measures will I take to safeguard my home?
________________________________________________________
Window
protection purchased?....................................___Yes ___No
shutters
1/2" or thicker plywood
Will I BE a Host Home?................................................___Yes ___No
If Yes, how many/who will I host?_____________________________
Valuables & important papers copied and placed in a waterproof,safe place?___Yes ___No
Location:_________________________________________________
Safe room identified?..................................................___Yes ___No
Location:_________________________________________________
Have I purchased/planned for obtaining the elements of my survival kit?___Yes ___No
Write all important names, addresses, phone numbers,account numbers, policy
numbers,
etc.,of doctors,insurance agents (health, flood, auto, home), lawyers,family
and friends.
(Use additional paper if necessary.) ______________________________
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COASTAL FLOOD WARNING:
A warning that significant wind-forced flooding is eminent along low-lying coastal areas.
COASTAL FLOOD WATCH:
An alert that wind-forced flooding is expected along low-lying coastal areas.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC):
The County or municipal facility that provides coordination and control of all emergency
response and recovery activities.
EVACUATION ORDER:
The most important instruction you will receive from local government officials, relayed
over local radio and television stations. Once issued, an evacuation order is mandatory
under law in the State of Florida.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA):
The agency that assists local governments and citizens in recovering from a disaster, only
upon the direction of the President of the United States.
FLOOD WARNING:
Heavy rains are expected to cause flooding (minor, moderate or major).
HURRICANE WARNING:
Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24
hours. Complete all storm preparations as soon as possible.
HURRICANE WATCH:
Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36
hours. During a hurricane watch, prepare to take immediate action to protect your family
and property in case a hurricane warning is issued.
NATIONAL OCEANIC ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA):
NOAA provides continuous broadcast of weather conditions in the Tampa Bay Area on a
frequency of 162.550 MHz.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING:
Tropical storm conditions, with winds ranging from 39-73 mph, are expected in specific
coastal areas within 24 hours.
TROPICAL STORM WATCH:
Tropical storm conditions pose a threat to coastal areas, generally within 36 hours.