Disaster Preparedness Guide for Elders

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs has released the 2013 Disaster Preparedness Guide for Elders. This guide includes tips to prepare for:

• hurricanes
• floods
• fires
• tornadoes
• extreme temperature

In addition, there are sections about special needs, assembling a disaster supplies kit, and disaster recovery assistance for Seniors. Click here to access this guide. In addition, local disaster preparedness information can be found at the Pasco County Emergency Management website - here. You can also pick up a print "Disaster Planning Guide" at your local library in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and local county emergency management agencies produced this guide, which also includes a hurricane evacuation zone map.

It is Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season!

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
• pandemic flu

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 - available on this page in English and Spanish.
• If you have special needs - you will need to pre-register for SNAPS services, like transportation and care.  You can learn more here.  The link to the registration form is here.
• If you have a pet and need to have a place for him/her during an evacuation, you will need to pre-register your pet.  More information can be found here.