Post-storm advice to make life easier and help you stay prepared for hurricane season
There’s plenty to do after a tropical storm passes. Yards need to be cleaned up, hurricane kits should be replenished, and in some cases, damages must be reported.
Here are a few tips and resources to help you recover safely post-storm and remain ready for the rest of hurricane season:
Sandbags
- Dispose of dirty sandbags: Sandbags that came in contact with floodwaters could be contaminated and should be discarded. Get rid of sandbags by scattering the sand around your yard and throwing out the bag. Unwanted sandbags can also be dropped off at any of Hillsborough County’s Community Collection Centers.
- Store clean sandbags: If your sandbags did not come in contact with floodwaters, hang on to them in the event another storm approaches. Store them in a dry place.
Tip: Consider making homemade sandbags and keeping them on standby during hurricane season. (Empty sandbags and tie strings can be purchased at home improvement stores or online.) Having sandbags ready to go will save you a trip to a sandbag site right before a storm hits.
On the roads
- Avoid driving or speeding through water: Do not drive through standing water; you never know how deep it is. If you must drive through puddles, drive slowly to avoid causing vehicle damage or creating waves that could affect other drivers. Be aware that the waves you create can cause damage or harm to the other drivers and cars around you.
- Don’t walk in floodwaters: Just 6 inches of moving water can sweep you off your feet if moving swiftly, and possibly lead to drowning. Also, floodwaters can contain a variety of hazards that pose health and safety risks, including sharp objects, sewage, bacteria, chemicals, diseased insects, and animals.
Tip: Traffic signals and street signs may be missing or not working. Treat intersections where lights are out as four-way stops.
Hurricane kits
- Replenish supplies: Take note of what you need to replenish in your hurricane kit, and what you may need to buy extra of for next time. Assess and restock your hurricane kit based on any shortages or additional needs.
- Store water for later: Unopened bottled water can be stored for up to two years, as long as it is kept at room temperature or cooler. Save unused water for future storms or emergencies.
- Keep canned goods: Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. Canned goods can last for years as long as the can itself is in good condition, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Tip: If you drink bottled beverages (e.g. juice, soda, water), save the empty, clean containers and their lids. Prior to a storm, fill the containers with water from the tap instead of buying new bottles of water.
Yard cleanup
- Let it dry out: After heavy rainfall, delay or turn off irrigation to help your yard drain. Don’t forget, one-day-per-week watering restrictions were extended until Sept. 1.
- Mosquito mitigation: To reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed, drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where rainwater has collected. Consider taking steps that can prevent water from collecting in these spots again. Visit Mosquito Control for more tips.
- Trash and debris pickup: For information on scheduled trash, recycling, and storm debris pick up, visit Hillsborough County Trash & Recycling
Tip: Stay away from downed utility lines, fence wires, and telephone or cable lines. Be alert for wires dangling in trees. Assume all power lines are energized, and do not touch them.
Reporting damage
- Property owners: Hillsborough County residential property owners can report property loss or damage by completing a form on the Hillsborough County Storm Recovery Resources webpage. The information will be routed to the appropriate County department, which will respond within 72 hours.
- Business owners: Business and commercial property owners can use the State of Florida’s Business Damage Assessment Survey to help make the state aware of the extent of damage done by storms
- At Your Service: If you see flooding, road obstructions, missing traffic signs, etc., submit a “Roads, Drainage, Traffic Signs & Signals” request through Hillsborough County’s At Your Service portal
Tip: Be aware of the possibility of fraud and scams in the aftermath of storms and other natural disasters. If you need assistance with repairs, be sure to follow these tips when hiring a contractor.
Get Connected. Stay Alert.
Be in the know this hurricane season by signing up for HCFL Alert and follow Hillsborough County on social media at Facebook, X, Nextdoor, and Neighbors for updates.
For more information on Hillsborough County’s recovery responses, visit HCFL.Gov/StaySafe and Storm Recovery Resources.