Hurricane Season is nearly here!

National Hurricane Preparedness week runs from May 27th - June 2nd and hurricane season officially starts on June 1st. It is important to prepare ahead of time - especially if you have special needs or own a pet.  The Florida Department of Elder Affairs has published a "Disaster Preparedness Guide for Elders".  This guide covers many types of disasters including:

• hurricanes
• fires
• floods
• tornadoes

This is an excellent guide with practical advice - such as how to assemble a disaster supplies kit and create a plan for yourself and your pets.  You can read this guide online here or pick up a print copy at your library.  You can find more information, including videos from the National Hurricane Center.   

Here are local Pasco County resources to prepare for hurricane season: 

• Pasco County's Hurricane Guide (English version)
• Pasco County Hurricane Guide (Spanish version)
• 2012 Evacuation  Map (English)
• 2012 Evacuation Map (Spanish)
• If you have special needs - you will need to pre-register for SNAPS services, like transportation and care.  You can learn more about this service and get the application here. 
• If you have a pet and need to have a place for him/her during an evacuation, there is one shelter that accepts pets. This shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis and proof of vaccinations is required.  In addition, the pet owners must stay with their pet. More information can be found here.

The Tampa Bay Times has also published an online "Hurricane Guide 2012" here.