Your guide to hurricane season 2024

TAMPA - Hurricane season begins on June 1.

Here's some information to help you prepare for the next storm.

HURRICANE KIT

Water: one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation (extra water for pets)
Food - At least three days worth of non-perishable food to include canned soups, canned fruits & veggies, powdered or canned milk, dried fruit, powdered or individually packaged drinks, cereal, cookies, crackers, peanut butter and jelly, coffee and tea, canned meats and fish, etc.
Flashlight and extra batteries
A First-Aid kit
Extra cellphone battery chargers fully charged
Moist towelettes or baby wipes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener
Whistle to signal for help
Local maps
Prescription medications
Non-prescription medications like pain relievers, antacids, anti-diarrhea medication
Glasses, contact lens solution
Baby supplies: plenty of formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, etc.
Pet food
Cash
Candles
Fuel and fuel can
Ice chest and ice
Non-electric clock
Portable radio, battery-powered or handcrank
Toiletries
Window protection
Family documents, copies of insurance policies, IDs, bank account records, birth certificates, passports in a waterproof, portable container and/or saved electronically
Sleeping bags/blankets
Fire extinguisher
Matches in waterproof container
Feminine hygiene products
Paper plates, cups, paper towels, plastic utensils
Bleach (not scented or color safe). Bleach can be used as a disinfectant using nine parts water to one part bleach, or to treat water by using 16 drops bleach per gallon of water.
Dust mask and plastic sheeting and cut tape to help filter contaminated air
Books, games, activities for children

TIP: Take a video or photo inventory of everything in your house on your cellphone for future reference.

FIND YOUR EVACUATION ZONE

SHELTERS BY COUNTY

CONTACTS BY COUNTY

CITRUS COUNTY: (352) 249-2775 (this phone line is only open during emergencies or disasters)
DESOTO COUNTY: (863)-993-4831
HARDEE COUNTY: (863) 773-6373
HERNANDO COUNTY: (352) 754-4083
HIGHLANDS COUNTY: (863) 385-1112
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY: (813) 272-6600
MANATEE COUNTY: (941) 749-3500
PASCO COUNTY: (727) 847-8137
PINELLAS COUNTY: (727) 464-4333
POLK COUNTY: (863) 519-7320
SARASOTA COUNTY: (941) 861-5000
SUMTER COUNTY: (352) 689-4400