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If you’re new to Tampa, you’re soon to find out that hurricane season is serious business in these parts. While a major storm hasn’t hit the Tampa Bay area directly in years, the area’s emergency planners always warn the region will not continue to dodge bullets forever. With this in mind, it’s very wise for you to make sure you know how to prepare for the season and emergencies if they arise.
Will I be Safe at Home?
The first thing you need to find out as hurricane season approaches is whether or not your Tampa apartment is in a hurricane evacuation zone. If it is and a storm threatens, you may be asked to leave your home.
Yes, evacuations are nerve wracking and even a little annoying. However, they beat the alternatives. Just try to recall those post-Katrina scenes from New Orleans and you’ll find out why evacuations are necessary!
Okay, if your apartment is in an evacuation zone, you’ll likely want to come up with a game plan on where to go. Shelters open throughout the Bay Area, but you might have a friend or relative who can put you up for a while. This is generally the better route to go. Don’t forget to include your animals and pets in your emergency planning. Although, keep in mind that hurricane safety should be your first concern – not comfort.
One of these Tampa Hurricane Shelters
Emergency Preparedness Kit and Supplies
Once you’ve figured out if you might have to leave and where you’ll need to go, the next thing you’ll want to do is create an emergency kit. This is a wise move whether you live in an evacuation zone or not. A good kit can get you through if you’re hunkering down at home, at a shelter or at your parents’ home further inland.
The best hurricane safety tips for emergency kits call for an unusual collection of items placed in a suit case or better yet a waterproof storage container. Some families create their kits at the beginning of the season and leave them packed or mostly packed throughout just in case. Items to include are:
Clothing and toiletries – You’ll want at least a three-day supply of these for each member of a family. Don’t forget to include toilet paper, too. Some shelters may run low or your house might if you end up hunkering down. If a baby happens to be present, make sure to include diapers, wipes and formula, too.
Food – A three-day supply of nonperishable food products and bottled water is also a very smart idea. Make sure to include a non-electric can opener as the electricity may be out.
Blankets and pillows – Your in-laws and even shelters might not have these to provide you.
Important papers – Seal insurance papers, Social Security cards and other vital documents in a waterproof bag and stick them in your hurricane kit just in case.
Flashlight, batteries and a portable radio – You might find yourself with little or no contact with the outside world for a few days if a big storm hits. Be prepared with the right tools.
Medicines – Make sure to have at least a three-day supply of these on hand for everyone in the family who takes them. A basic first aid kit is also smart to toss into a hurricane supply box.
The Tampa Bay area may not have had a direct hurricane threat in a while, but this doesn’t mean it’s 100 percent hurricane proof. Be smart and be prepared.
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