Knowledge is power during hurricane season
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Tuesday, April 22, 2008  |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Hurricane experts are predicting the possibility of another busy season in the Atlantic basin.
According to the latest report from two of the leading hurricane prognosticators, Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray, at the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, residents who live in hurricane-vulnerable areas should be prepared for up to 15 named storms to form during the 2008 season. Of those 15, eight could become hurricanes and, of the eight, half (or four) could become intense hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
“While the forecasts do not directly determine our risk, they do serve as an excellent reminder about being prepared for hurricanes and tropical storms,” said Craig Fugate, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. “We have been very fortunate that the past two seasons have not produced a Florida landfall but I caution all that it is not “if” but “when” will the next storm come calling on our shores. Will you be ready?”
Tom Iovino, specialist with the Pinellas County Communications Department, agreed with Fugate and said that releasing season predictions is good for creating awareness, but he also cautioned that people should not dwell on the numbers.
“People can’t say well they’ve been wrong in the past, so we don’t have to get ready,” he said. “People need to prepare like they know they’re going to get hit.”
Iovino said there is some concern that due to the tough economic times people may feel they can’t afford to prepare.
“But they can’t ignore this,” he said. “They’ve got to be ready, but they can do it without breaking the bank.”
Iovino said the first thing to do was to take a look at what supplies already were on hand and check them for expiration dates. He reminded people that even non-perishable foods and water have expiration dates.
People who need to add to their supplies or replace out-of-date items are encouraged to buy a few things at a time, so they’ll be ready when the season starts on June 1.
Pinellas County Communications and Emergency Management department are teaming up to help residents prepare through a series of free information sessions. Member libraries of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative will host the sessions that include how-to tips on putting together a survival kit, planning ahead, preparing to evacuate, basic hurricane information and more. The schedule is:
- Busting Hurricane Myths on April 29, 6:30 p.m., at the Largo Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. Call 587-6715
- Hurricane 101 on May 3, 10:30 a.m., at the East Lake Community Library, 4125 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. Call 773-2665.
- Busting Hurricane Myths on May 8, 10:30 a.m., at the East Lake Community Library, 4125 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. Call 773-2665.
- Becoming Storm Savvy on May 10, 11 a.m., at the Oldsmar Library, 400 St. Petersburg Drive, Oldsmar. Call 813-749-1178.
- Busting Hurricane Myths on May 17, 11 a.m., at the Oldsmar Library, 400 St. Petersburg Drive, Oldsmar. Call 813-749-1178.
- Hurricane 101 on May 19, 6:30 p.m., at the Largo Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo Call 587-6715.
- Becoming Storm Savvy on May 22, 2 p.m., at the Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St., Pinellas Park. Call 541-0718.
- Hurricane 101 on May 24, 11 a.m., at the Oldsmar Library, 400 St. Petersburg Drive, Oldsmar. Call 813-749-1178.
- Hurricanes for Kids on May 31, 11 a.m., at the Oldsmar Library, 400 St. Petersburg Drive, Oldsmar. Call 813-749-1178.
- Hurricane 101 on June 3, 7 p.m., at the Dunedin Library, 223 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. Call 298-3080.
- Hurricane 101 on June 4, 2 p.m., at the St. Pete Beach Library, 365 73rd Ave., St Pete Beach. Call 363-9238.
- Hurricane 101 on June 23, 7 p.m., at the Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St., Pinellas Park. Call 541-0718.
- Hurricanes for Kids on June 24, 4 p.m., at the St. Pete Beach Library, 365 73rd Ave., St Pete Beach. Call 363-9238.
- Hurricanes for Kids on June 25, 2 p.m., at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave., Clearwater. Call 562-4970
- Busting Hurricane Myths on July 9, 2 p.m., at the St. Pete Beach Library, 365 73rd Ave., St Pete Beach. Call 363-9238.
- Hurricanes for Kids on July 23, 10:30 a.m., at the Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs. Call 943-4922
In addition to the library series, a free Hurricane Expo is set for Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. Largo. Vendors and hurricane professionals will be on hand to answer all the “what do I do” questions and help with preparations.
Residents who would like to schedule a speaker for their church, civic group or business meetings can call Pinellas County’s Speakers Bureau at 464-3000.
At list of hurricane supplies can be found on the County’s Web site. Go to www.pinellascounty.org and look for the hurricane preparedness link on the right-side menu under special interests. A list of hurricane supplies also can be found at www.tbnweekly.com in the online hurricane guide.
According to the experts, people should be prepared to survive without outside assistance for at least three days after a major hurricane.
Iovino’s message, especially for those on a tight budget, is “just get what you need.
“The big thing is for people to start thinking ahead and get prepared.”
For 2008, Klotzbach and Gray predict that the chances are 69 percent that a hurricane will make landfall somewhere along the entire U.S. coastline. The average for the last century is 52 percent.
They put odds at 45 percent that a storm would hit the U.S. East Coast including the peninsula of Florida at 45 percent. The average for the last century is 31 percent.
They said there was a 44 percent chance that a storm would make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville. The average for the last century is 30 percent.
For more assistance in hurricane preparation and planning, visit www.floridadisaster.org.
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Article published on Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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