Although our Pinellas County barrier island towns dodged a bullet when Hermine zipped by, it should be a wake-up call for all residents and businesses. Our entire area A is a “Must Evacuate” when the Hurricane Warning officially is published and the Evacuation Order is issued.
It had been 12 years since the devastating storms of 2005 hit the Florida mainland when Hermine came ashore near Port St. Joe in the Big Bend area and luckily zipped through quickly before heading up the East Coast. Many Pinellas County areas still experienced heavy flooding, beach and dune erosion, and many homes suffered wind and flood damage.
Although thunderstorms and lightning are a more frequent threat within the Tampa Bay area, all our barrier island communities are extremely vulnerable to the damaging effects of hurricanes and tropical storms, with the official season June 1 through Nov. 30.
As an example, St. Pete Beach, with an average land elevation of approximately 7.5 feet above sea level, is highly susceptible to flooding and surges associated with these large storms. In serious storm threat situations, residents and guests of the city are asked to evacuate. This is your basic guide to being prepared and protecting your family and property from the effects of storms.
Hurricane Watches are issued when a storm threatens coastal and inland areas and the development of hurricane conditions is a real possibility.
Listed below is a basic checklist to do if a watch is issued:
Have cash on hand, Proof of Identification and important paperwork available, Stock up on extra water and non-perishable food items, Fill your automobile with gas or make sure you have transportation if needed, Check flashlights, radios and batteries to make sure they are in working order, Stay tuned to radio or TV for storm updates, Keep your cell phone charged, if you have one, Have extra supplies for everyone but especially for young babies & children, special needs individuals and seniors who need the extra help and care, Make arrangements for extra water, food and safety of your pets if needed, Make sure all members of your family are aware of the storm and your plans for evacuation if needed, Refill prescription medications and attend to all medical supply needs, Keep your Hurricane Re-Entry Tag available (see Accompanying Sidebar), Vacationers keep receipts from your place of commercial lodging available, Be prepared if an Evacuation Order is issued.
Hurricane Warnings are issued when hurricane conditions (winds are in excess of 74 MPH, high water and/or storm surge) are expected in a specified area within 24 hours. You must be prepared to evacuate at anytime after a hurricane warning has been issued, even if the weather does not seem threatening at the time.
When a warning is issued:
- Include the basic checklist for a Hurricane Watch listed above
- Clear your yard of loose objects such as lawn furniture, garbage cans or anything else that might become launched in high winds
- Secure your boat if you have one (Most draw bridges will be closed to boat traffic when the Evacuation Order is given)
- Protect windows, glass doors, garage doors and all entry & exit points to your dwelling
- Gather items that you will need to take to a shelter or place of safety.
- Be prepared to leave when the Evacuation Order is issued Evacuation Routes – If you are on or south of 44th Avenue, you evacuate via the Pinellas Bayway Bridge. If you are north of 44th Avenue, use the Corey Causeway Bridge. [Contact your City office for your Evacuation Route.)
Hurricane Re-Entry Tags – In an effort to prevent looting and burglary after a large-scale mandatory evacuation, the City of St. Pete Beach (and all other Barrier Islands) has joined the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to provide free Emergency Access Permits to all business and residents of the barrier islands.
Once a mandatory evacuation order has been lifted, Emergency access Permits will be required to re-enter an evacuated area. Access will be limited based on the closest entry point to your residence. Residents are asked to hang the permit from their vehicle’s rear view mirror upon evacuation. When the order is lifted, law enforcement officers posted at the entry points to the City will scan the barcode on the permit to verify your residence.
As of June 15, 2015, the Sheriff’s Department reentry tags replaced the old St Pete Beach (and other Barrier Island town) reentry tags. Therefore, every resident was required to obtain a new tag. Reentry tags are limited to two (2) per residential property and a maximum of Ten (10) to commercial properties (depending on the commercial property size and needs).
Residents in each town need to bring a driver’s license as proof of residency. Persons who do not have a local address on their driver’s license, may bring in a utility bill or rental agreement showing the address of their residence.
For all Barrier Island residents and businesses, here are some important contact numbers:
Pinellas County Emergency Management: 727-464-3800
Citizen Information Center (open only during declared emergencies: 727-464-4333
Duke Energy Power Outages: 1-800-228-8485
Story by Steve Traiman
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Kavontae Smalls, PCSO Public Information Officer; Pinellas County Emergency Management Office.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com ]
Hurricane Re-Entry Tag & Evacuation Route Info
Residents from any barrier island community can register directly with their local city government, confirm Evacuation Routes and pick up Re-entry Tags during general office hours.
Belleair Beach — 727-595-4646 or info@cityofbelleairbeach.com
Belleair Shore — 727-593-9296 or belleairshore@yahoo.com
Clearwater — 727-562-4141 or reentryhangtag@myclearwater.com
Indian Rocks Beach — 727-595-2517 or dtaylor@irbcity.com
Indian Shores — 727-595-5414 or fmeegan@myindianshores.com
Madeira Beach — 727-391-3400 or reentrytags@madeirabeachfl.gov
North Redington Beach — 727-391-4848 or townclerk@townofnrb.com
Redington Beach — 727-391-3875 or townclerk@townofredingtonbeach.com
Redington Shores — 727-397-5538 or townclerk@townofredingtonshores.com
St. Pete Beach — 727-363-9206 or reentrytag@stpetebeach.org
Tierra Verde — 727-582-6636 or tvhurricanereentry@pcsonet.com
Treasure Island — 727-547-4575 Ext. 0 or info@mytreasureisland.org.