Pack a bag and make a plan during Florida Preparedness Month
At the midpoint of hurricane season, Debby is top of mind. Although Hillsborough was spared the brunt of the storm (it made landfall as a Category 1 in Steinhatchee, Florida, on Aug. 5), many residents still face home and property damage from flooding, power outages, and storm debris. While those residents are still recovering, the most active weeks of the season are on the horizon.
Why is September "busy season" in the Atlantic?
September may be a hotbed for hurricanes for these three reasons:
- Low vertical wind shear has little change in wind speed or direction with height, rendering it unable to break up storms. High vertical wind shear has the opposite effect. Higher windspeeds can break up and weaken tropical cyclones.
- High water temperatures provide the heat and energy hurricanes need to form.
- There is less dry air blowing from the Sahara in September. From July through August, the Sahara's dry, dusty air is at its peak and has 50% less moisture than a tropical atmosphere. Dryer air tends to suppress tropical disturbances.
How to prepare
There is still time to get ready.
- Make a plan and include your family, seniors, and pets. Keep all important documents (including important contact information) in a waterproof container or save them digitally. Establish a meeting place in case you are separated and consider the special needs of children, senior family members, and pets in your plan.
- Keep your disaster kit full to include enough supplies for each person and pet for seven days. These items should include water, nonperishable food, medications, batteries, and important documents.
- Low cost ways to prepare include maintaining your vehicle gas tank at least half full or vehicle battery half charged at all times, know your evacuation zone, and keep yard debris picked up throughout the season
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.