Hurricane PreparednessMaking the decision whether or not to evacuate is a life or death decision. Ask yourself these questions:
If you live in a non-evacuation zone, before deciding to stay in your home, review these statements.
If you are evacuating, do you know where you will go and how you will get there?
Public Shelter Information & Shelter List:
Other things to know about public shelters:
Whether in the county or on the road, hotels and motels are a temporary shelter option. In Pinellas County, there are locations in non-evacuation zones that may take pets or have accommodations for wheelchairs. When a storm is approaching, you can go to www.visitstpeteclearwater.com for a list of available hotels and motels.
To start your planning early, you can see a list of hotels and motels arranged by evacuation level by clicking here and filling in your address.
Do not stay in a dangerous situation just because you don’t have a ride. If you need special transportation assistance to a public shelter or a special needs shelter, YOU MUST REGISTER FOR TRANSPORTATION IN ADVANCE. To start the process, you need to call (727) 464-3800. Select option 1 and leave your name and address on the answering machine. You will receive an application form in the mail that must be filled out and returned to Pinellas County Emergency Management. Once your application is approved and in the system, your local fire department will be able to pick you up during a hurricane evacuation and take you to a local shelter.
Buses will continue to run routes to help people get prepared for a storm until it is no longer safe to travel. Rides are free during an evacuation. You can plan ahead by locating your nearest bus stop and public shelter. Learn more on the PSTA website at www.psta.net.
Personal Transportation:
If you are taking your own personal transportation to leave town, be sure you are leaving enough time to get to your final destination. Roads get crowded and traffic jams can put you in danger because a hurricane can take many different paths through the state. When a HURRICANE WATCH is issued, you need to be packing your car and ready to leave as soon as the WARNING is issued.
There are convenient ways for motorists to receive this up-to-date traffic information:
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Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center
Department of Emergency Management
(727) 464-3800
During an emergency activation, call the
County Information Center at (727) 464-4333.