Importance of Following Evacuation Notices

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to be prepared for potential storms this hurricane season. While we hope for the best, it’s crucial to plan ahead and know your evacuation zones to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.

Why Evacuate?
Tampa Bay is particularly vulnerable to hurricane impacts, storm surge, high winds, and flooding. Evacuation orders are issued to protect residents from these dangers.

“Ignoring an evacuation order could put you at risk of being trapped in rising floodwaters, encountering downed power lines, or facing limited emergency response capabilities in the storm,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I cannot overstate the importance of knowing your flood zone and following guidance from local experts.”

Quick Tips for Creating an Evacuation Plan

• Know Your Zone: Find out your evacuation zone by visiting the Hillsborough County Emergency Management website. This will tell you which areas are most at risk and when you may need to evacuate.
• Pick a Destination: Decide on a safe place to go if you need to evacuate. Ideally, this should be outside the evacuation zone and could be a friend or family member's home, a hotel, or a designated shelter.
• Plan Your Route: Map out the evacuation route from your home to your chosen destination. Consider traffic congestion during an evacuation and have alternate routes in mind.
• Pack an Emergency Kit: Assemble a well-stocked kit with essentials like non-perishable food, water, medications, first-aid supplies, a flashlight, batteries, a battery-powered radio, and a charger for your phone. Don't forget important documents, pet supplies, and any specific needs for family members.
• Communicate with Family: Discuss your evacuation plan with all family members, including children. Assign roles and responsibilities and designate a meeting place in case you get separated. 

To stay in the know this hurricane season, visit teamHCSO.com/hurricane (or Emergency Management site).