Complete Hurricane 2022 Checklist Florida Tampa Bay

A Complete Hurricane 2022 + 2023 Checklist for Florida Tampa Bay

5/9/2022

Hurricane season starts June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30. There are several steps that you should take before a storm hits Tampa Bay. We cover them here, and help you make sure that you’re safe and prepared for every year's hurricane season.

First the short version - The most important 5 steps:

Check your emergency kit.
Prepare your home.
Communicate with family and friends about your plan in the event of a hurricane warning or evacuation.
Stay connected to local media outlets for updates on the storm's progression as it gets closer to Tampa Bay in Florida
Monitor the storm surge forecast from NOAA's National Hurricane Center. Click here: www.nhc.noaa.gov

A hurricane checklist for the Tampa Bay area should include the following:

Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, medical supplies, and necessary medications
Check on elderly or sick family members or neighbors
Secure your property with shutters or boards
Close windows and doors and board up if necessary
Fill bathtubs with water
Charge cell phones and laptops
Identify evacuation routes - You will need to fill up your gas tank in advance and make sure that you have cash on hand for additional expenses
Make a list of your important documents and photos that you will want to grab in case you need to leave quickly - These documents should include insurance information, account numbers, wills or living wills, copies of passports or birth certificates

Following an extensive FAQ we collected to cover as many situations as possible in an event of a hurricane

How long should I keep supplies?
The state recommends that every Floridian have enough food, water, medicine and supplies to last seven days.

What should I buy?
Try to have enough freeze-dried or canned food to last each person for seven days.

What is the season for hurricanes?
Each year, the hurricane season begins on June 1st and lasts 5 months, with storms typically peaking in August and September.

How do you predict a tropical cyclone's path?
Forecasters have computers that take huge amounts of data and try to predict where the storm will go and usually can calculate 2-3 days out fairly accurately.

What is the National Hurricane Center?
The National Hurricane Center has the most up-to-date information on tropical cyclone developments, forecasts and weather alerts, discussions analyzing the data and more.

What is the current list of hurricane names?
To view the current list of tropical cyclone names, click here: www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml

What are the facts about tropical storms?
Tropical Storms vary in wind speeds from 39-73 mph, while Hurricanes have winds of 74 mph and greater.

What are tropical depressions?
Tropical Depressions are cyclones with winds of 38 mph.

What should I do in the event of a hurricane?
Know how to secure your home in the event of damaging winds, storm surge and flooding.

What should I do if my roof is damaged?
If possible, secure straps or clips to securely fasten your roof to the structure of your home.

What do you mean by secure doors?
If winds become strong, stay away from windows and doors and close, secure and brace internal doors.

What Should I Take With Me?
It is important to create a kit of supplies that you can take with you if you are forced to evacuate.

What Are The Benefits Of A Kit?
If you prepare your kit ahead of time, you can alleviate a lot of the potential stress of a very chaotic situation.

What Should I Include in a Disaster Supply Kit?
What your disaster supply kit should contain:

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
Non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
Foods for infants or the elderly
Snack foods
Non-electric can opener
Cooking tools / fuel
Paper plates / plastic utensils
Blankets / Pillows, etc.

What do you need for your dog?

Document all valuables with videotape if possible
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Proper identification / immunization records
Ample supply of food and water
A carrier or cage
Medications
Muzzle and leash

What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics.

What are the dangers of a hurricane?
It only takes one storm to threaten, cause damage and disrupt our lives.

What should I do if there is an evacuation?
Locate the closest evacuation shelter and the safest route to get there.

What are your concerns?
Post-hurricane environmental conditions are likely to be unsafe.

What Are the Best Hurricane Supplies?

Selling for $20 or less - Reusable ice (ice packs)
Selling for $40 or less - Any portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank or gas):
... Flashlights, Lanterns, Candles
Selling for $50 or less - Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers
... Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries): AA and AAA, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt
... Two-way and weather band radios (powered by battery, solar, or hand-crank)
Selling for $60 or less - Coolers and ice chests (food storage, non-electrical)
... Portable power banks
Selling for $100 or less - Tarpaulins (tarps) Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible waterproof sheeting
... Ground anchor systems, Tie-down kits, Bungee cords, Ratchet straps
Selling for $1,000 or less - Portable generators used to provide light or communication or to preserve food in the event of a power outage

What are the best checklists for hurricane kits?
Use the checklists released by your county's emergency management team:

Pinellas County (www.pinellascounty.org/emergency)
The Florida Division of Emergency Management ( www.floridadisaster.org ),
the Department of Homeland Security ( www.dhs.gov ),
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( www.ready.gov/kit ) also offer checklists.

I sincerely hope the above checklist helps you to prepare for hurricanes in our area. In case you need help or have questions cleaning your place, please give me a call or go to our FREE quote page. There you can write your message, which I will receive right away.