The 2024 hurricane season is fast upon us, and Tampa Bay Water has been updating the agency’s Water Emergency Incident Command System and Hurricane Plan annex to ensure a prepared response in the case of a hurricane. This includes updating preparation check lists, encouraging staff to prepare home and family emergency plans, updating agency policies and procedures and working with entities such as the Southwest Florida Water Management District and TECO on plans for emergency scenarios. These preparations ensure our members, and the more than 2.5 million customers they serve, can count on Tampa Bay Water.
Are you ready if a hurricane strikes the area?
Stock up. Generally, an emergency preparedness kit includes food and water, a battery-powered radio, flashlights and batteries, a first-aid kit and medicines, among other items. Learn what items are recommended.
If you haven’t yet purchased hurricane preparedness items, you can do so during Florida’s disaster preparedness sales tax holiday, June 1-14, 2024, and save some money. Learn what items qualify.
Protect your home. Taking a few precautions will help minimize damage from a storm. Trim trees to prevent damage from broken limbs. Bring loose outdoor items, such as patio furniture, inside to keep them from blowing away. Secure all doors and move your car inside a garage if possible.
Know your zone. Before a storm comes, know your evacuation zone to know whether you can shelter in place or if you need to evacuate. If you have pets, make sure you plan for them as well. Also, know and plan your evacuation route ahead of time. Find your evacuation zone:
Opt-in to emergency alerts. Find out about mandatory evacuations, flood warnings, severe weather alerts and major road closures from your respective county’s emergency management department:
Store drinking water. As hurricanes move closer to Florida, more and more residents will rush to stores to buy bottled water. But remember, you have plenty of safe, clean water right at your tap! While both tap and bottled water are safe to drink, your tap water is more strictly regulated and tested than bottled water. And tap water in the Tampa Bay region costs less than a penny per gallon. Find out ways to store tap water at home during emergencies.
Learn more about hurricane safety and how you can prepare at Hurricanes | Ready.gov.
