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Dated: May 28 2024
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Important Safety Tips For the 2024 Hurricane Season

With the start of the 2024 hurricane season, it's always better to be prepared in advance. In the event that we have an active hurricane season, we want to share some valuable information and resources to help you get ready for any upcoming inclement weather conditions. Bookmark this page for quick reference all season!
Check out our handy list of resources below:
Have a Power Outage? Trees Down? Know who to call by printing out the NOAA Extreme Weather Information Sheet to have handy before/after/during a hurricane. This is a comprehensive list of state and county phone numbers to call for various situations during a storm. The perfect list to print out and stick on the fridge this season! CLICK HERE to get the list & print it out now.
Thinking of Evacuating During the Next Storm? Make a plan now. Check out this link from the Red Cross for tips on what to consider. Have pets? Then check out our other article HERE for evacuation plans involving your 4-legged family members!
Review Your Homeowner's and Flood Insurance Policies NOW. Make sure you're comfortable with the coverage you have. Call your insurance agent with any questions or concerns. If you're thinking about changing your policy or adding coverage, do so before an active storm is headed our way, as insurance policies can't be changed when there's an active storm in the Gulf. Don't forget to create an emergency bank account to cover potential deductibles as well.
*PRO TIP: Ask your insurance agent if your policy has a 5% or a 2% hurricane deductible. The annual cost for a policy with a 2% deductible is often not much more than what a policy with a 5% deductible would be. Example- If your home is worth $350k per your insurance policy, a 5% hurricane deductible would come to $17,500. Comparatively, a policy that has a 2% deductible for hurricane coverage would equate to a $7,000 deductible. If you think paying a heftier deductible would be hard for you financially, call your insurance company BEFORE a storm is on the way and ask about your policy options for lowering that deductible ASAP.
Not Sure About Your Evacuation Zone? Easily find your Pinellas County home's elevation and evacuation zone by clicking here.
Build Your Hurricane Kit Ahead of Time. Again, don't wait until there's a storm in the Gulf to get the supplies you need. Have you seen how much the cost of plywood for windows goes up when a storm is on the way? (That's IF you can find any.) Check out this preparation list from the Florida Division of Emergency Management for items you should have on hand (food, water, batteries, & more).
Prep Your Home for a Storm. Trim any overgrown tree branches, secure gutters and clear any debris, seal windows & doors that may be leaking, and take an inventory of your personal property.
Other Resources You May Find Useful for Hurricane Season in Tampa Bay:
Important Hurricane Season Links for Pinellas County Homeowners
Upcoming Flood Insurance Changes in Pinellas County You Need to Know About
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