Residents gained vital preparedness skills and connected with emergency officials to better weather future storms
Hillsborough County residents recently turned out in strong numbers for the County's Disaster and Recovery Community Expo, which was held at Feeding Tampa Bay. The free, family-friendly expo brought together more than 40 County departments, emergency responders, and community partners with the goal of helping residents prepare today so they can recover faster after a storm.
The expo was built on lessons learned from Hurricanes Helene and Milton by offering hands-on activities, expert-led breakout sessions on El Niño, rapid storm intensification, and new flood insurance updates, and direct access to emergency officials. Attendees had an informative morning aimed at strengthening preparedness for the 2026 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Residents explored the tools, technology, and vehicles used during storm response and recovery. Children and adults enjoyed touch-a-truck tours, while families collected free hurricane supplies. There was also the opportunity for one-on-one conversations with representatives from the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management and other County agencies to gain insights into what to include in a hurricane preparedness kit and how to navigate recovery resources after a storm.
For more disaster preparedness information, visit HCFL.gov/StaySafe.