Tips: Hurricane Season Approaches

Hurricane Season 2013 officially begins on June 1 and ends on November 30.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts between 13 and 20 named storms with 3 to 6 becoming major storms. 

To prepare East Lake Fire Rescue recently issued tips to help get and keep residents safe.

• Be informed.  Know your evacuation zone.  Stay tuned to local news and have a weather radio.  Know where the evacuation routes and shelters are.  Have an evacuation kit prepared. If an evacuation is mandated for your location and evacuate. 
• Have an emergency plan in place.  Prepare a document checklist of important papers to take with you if you evacuate.
• Do what you can prior to the storm season to harden your home for wind damage:  Brace the garage door, protect the windows, and strengthen the gable ends of your roof.  Prepare your home as the storm approaches by shuttering windows (taping them does not work) and securing any loose items outside the home that could become projectiles.

For more information on how to prepare your home for hurricane season visit Pinellas County Emergency Management or go to East Lake Fire Rescue.