September marks National Preparedness Month, highlighting the importance of planning ahead for hurricanes and other emergencies
September is National Preparedness Month, an annual observance led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign to encourage individuals, families, and communities to prepare for potential emergencies. This year's message, "America Stands Ready," emphasizes the importance of being prepared and knowing what to do before disaster strikes.
For Hillsborough County residents, preparedness is especially important during hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30. Taking time now to understand your risks, make a plan, gather supplies, and prepare every member of your household can make a difference when severe weather threatens.
Know your risk and evacuation zone
One of the most important steps you can take is to know your risk. Hurricanes and tropical storms can bring flooding, storm surge, damaging winds, and tornadoes, even to areas outside a storm's forecasted track. Residents should know their evacuation zone before a storm develops.
Evacuation zones are based on the risk of storm surge, and knowing your zone ahead of time allows you to act quickly if an evacuation order is issued. Hillsborough County encourages residents to make an evacuation plan before a storm threatens. Decide where you will go, how you will get there, and what you will take with you. Options include staying with family or friends, going to a hotel, or using an emergency shelter if other options are unavailable.
Residents are encouraged to download the County's Annual Disaster Planning Guide for information on evacuation zones, emergency plans, and other preparedness resources.
Building a hurricane kit before the storm
Building a hurricane kit before the storm hits is an essential part of being prepared. Taking the time to refresh an emergency supply kit will help residents avoid last-minute shortages and long lines at stores.
Emergency officials recommend having enough supplies for at least seven days, including nonperishable food, water, hygiene items, a battery-powered flashlight and radio, and important documents. Residents should also consider the needs of everyone in their household, including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets. As part of Florida state law, select disaster preparedness supplies are permanently tax-free. Items include life jackets, waterproof tarps, sunscreen, portable generators, and more. Discover the full list of tax-free disaster preparedness items and take the time now to build your disaster kit.
Prepare your pets
Being storm-ready means including your pets in every emergency plan. Hillsborough County's Pet Resource Center recommends preparing a pet emergency kit that includes the following:
- Veterinary and vaccination records
- Medications
- Crates or carriers
- Food and water
- Leashes and collars
- Kitty litter
Preparing pets before a storm can also make an evacuation less stressful. Residents are also encouraged to work on crate training throughout the year and make sure pets are microchipped and their registration information is up to date.
Take advantage of County resources
Hillsborough County's Emergency Management team works year-round to prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies. However, residents play an important role in their own safety.
The County provides preparedness guides, educational resources, evacuation information, and emergency alerts to help residents stay ready. Residents are encouraged to sign up for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official mass notification system, to receive emergency alerts and critical information directly on their phones.
To help residents protect their homes from flooding, Hillsborough County has over 70,000 pre-filled sandbags ready for distribution when a storm threatens. Sandbags are most effective for reducing damage from shallow flooding and can help redirect water away from doorways, garages, and other low-lying entry points. However, they are not designed to stop deep or fast-moving floodwaters. Find out where to get sandbags during active operations as well as tips on how to use sandbags.
Stay ready, Hillsborough County
National Preparedness Month is a good reminder that preparation should not begin when a storm is already on the way. Understanding your risks, knowing your evacuation zone, making a plan, and building an emergency kit can help you and your family be ready to act when it matters most.
Learn more about how Hillsborough County is preparing long before the next storm arrives. Visit HCFL.gov/StaySafe to stay up to date on the latest emergency alerts, evacuation information, and orders when a storm threatens.