2012 Hurricane Information back  
Date of Record: June 20, 2012

The 2012 hurricane season began June 1st, are you prepared? Planning ahead can stop a lot of confusion and help eliminate extra stress at the time of an event. Weather forecasters start tracking storms and predicting their paths as soon as they form. A "5-day cone" and a "3-day cone" are created which show the forecast path for the center of the storm with as much as a 300-mile "cone of uncertainty."

Things to be done before the cone:

  • Know your evacuation zone.

  • If you or a member of your family will require special needs assistance or transportation to a shelter, register with the fire department by calling 727-587-6737 and have the paperwork sent to you, fill it out and return it.

During a 5-day cone action:

  • Review your family disaster plan

  • Get your survival kit and important papers ready.

  • Begin work to prepare your home and yard.

  • If you live in an evacuation zone, know where you will go and how you will get there.

During a 3-day cone action:

  • Double check your survival kit and make necessary purchases to avoid lines and traffic.

  • Gather special supplies for infants, children, seniors and pets.

  • Be sure you have all materials and tools necessary to shutter windows. Shop early.

  • If your plans are to evacuate, make arrangements, book reservations and pack what you can in your vehicle.

Hurricane watch actions:

  • Fill vehicle gas tank.

  • Get cash and secure papers and valuables.

  • Refill medications.

  • Fill containers and tubs with water, even if evacuating - you may need the water when you return.

  • Secure yard equipment and furniture.

  • Shutter your windows.

  • Help neighbors with their preparations.

  • If your plans are to evacuate out of the local area, make final preparations to secure your home so you can leave as soon as an evacuation order is issued.

  • If you are registered for transportation to a public shelter, be sure you have everything you need for your "go bag".

Hurricane warning actions:

  • Stay tuned to local news and get your weather radio ready.

  • Complete any final preparations to evacuate or to shelter in your home.

  • If your plan is to travel out of the local area and you can leave at this point, do so.

  • If you are registered for transportation to a public shelter, have your "go bag" ready. Rescue workers will begin pick-ups shortly after an evacuation order is issued.

Once an evacuation order is issued:

  • Determine if your residence is affected by the evacuation order (does it include your evacuation zone or do you live in a mobile or manufactured home?)

  • If you are evacuating locally, get to your shelter location within a few hours of the evacuation order. Be sure to check which public shelters are open.

  • If you are traveling out of the local area, leave as quickly as possible to avoid traffic jams.

  • If you are not required to evacuate, prepare a safe room in your home and stay off the roads to enable evacuation traffic to clear the area.