During a significant storm event, such as a hurricane, expect widespread disruptions across Pinellas County, from delayed emergency response and closed bridges to water, power, and cell outages. Use the checklist below to keep you and your household safe, prevent secondary hazards, and begin documenting damage for recovery. If you haven’t already, enroll in Alert Pinellas text alerts for timely updates on resources, road access, and boil-water notices. 

• Winds: When winds reach 40-50 mph, first responders may not respond. Therefore, sheltering in place is recommended.
• Floodwater inside: Stay indoors; don’t wade. Get to higher ground (bed, table, or roof if necessary).
• Tornado/high winds: Go to lowest, interior, windowless room; lie low and cover head. If outside, then find shelter in a ditch, and never under bridges or overpasses.
• Power outage less than 6 hours: Move perishables to an ice-filled cooler kept at 40°F or less (food over 40°F for more than 2 hours is unsafe).
• Power ≤2 days: Keep freezer closed and cook safe food outside afterward. Plan to rely on nonperishables beyond two days.
• Water safety: Follow boil water advisories. Boil 1 minute or disinfect with 1/8 tsp unscented bleach per gallon (5.25% sodium hypochlorite), wait 30 min; boiling is best.
• Sewer outage: Do not flush. Use a lined 5-gal bucket or line the emptied toilet bowl; disinfect with bleach; never use cat litter. When service returns, dump contents into toilet and sanitize.
• Communications down: Use battery/crank/NOAA weather radio. Texting may still work. Keep devices charged and help neighbors charge their devices if possible.

After the storm

• Expect delays in clearing roads and services; rely on stored supplies.
• Call 911 only for police/medical/fire emergencies.
• For storm questions call Pinellas County: 727-464-4333.
• Shelter in place; avoid downed lines and contaminated water.
• Assume a boil-water notice until told otherwise.
• Photograph damage; take steps to reduce further loss.
• Check on neighbors and share resources.
• To volunteer, call the County Information Center.
• Use generators with a carbon monoxide detector. Follow manufacturer guidance.
• Keep items off the stove due to potential fires caused by power restoration.

Debris cleanup

• Practice patience as debris pickup schedules will vary.
• Property owners (residential or commercial) should plan for their own disposal or place debris in the designated areas as illustrated in the Storm Debris page.
• Contractors must remove debris as part of their work; hire licensed providers and ensure they fulfill this duty.
• Stay tuned for official instructions and local news.

Chainsaw safety

• Wear eye and ear protection, heavy gloves, and boots.
• Check controls, chains, and bolts. Fuel greater than 10 ft from ignition; clear the work area.
• Keep a firm grip and footing. Avoid overhead cuts and beware of kickback.

Driving

• Treat dark traffic signals as four-way stops.
• Never drive through standing water due to unknown road depth or condition.
• Slow down when visibility and road conditions are poor.
• Obey work-zone shifts and closures. Expect missing road and work signs. Drive with lights on.

Mosquitoes

• Mosquito numbers may surge for 2 – 8 weeks post-storm.
• Include: CDC-recommended repellents (DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus), long-sleeved light clothing, screen repair kits/door curtains, spatial repellents, and extra pet heartworm medications.

Price gouging

• Price gouging is Illegal during declared emergencies. Report gouging to Pinellas County Consumer Protection: 727-464-6200 and the Florida Attorney General: 866-966-7226 (or online). Document incidents if you can’t report immediately.