HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County urges residents to closely monitor weather forecasts and review their emergency plans as potential impacts from Tropical Storm Eta for later this week remain uncertain.
EOC Status
Hillsborough County’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated since March 10 in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. County emergency officials and representatives of partner agencies are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Eta and are coordinating resources and operations to respond as necessary.
Actions Residents Should Take
- Residents and visitors should pay attention to weather forecasts and make decisions accordingly. According to the National Weather Service, Tropical Strom Eta and its strongest winds continue to move away from the Florida west coast at this time. However, additional impacts from Eta will need to be monitored for later in the week (Wednesday through Friday) based on the latest National Hurricane Center forecast track of the storm.
- Review storm preparedness plans and disaster kit contents. Hillsborough County’s Disaster Preparedness Guide, accessed via HCFLGov.net/StaySafe, contains comprehensive information on how to prepare for any hazard.
- Tropical storms can bring damaging winds and heavy rain even to areas that aren’t in a storm’s direct path. Prepare your home by cleaning out gutters and drainpipes, trimming trees and hedges if needed, and securing or putting away loose objects such as outdoor furniture, birdbaths, and potted plants.
- Know if you live in an evacuation zone. Visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe for a link to Hillsborough County’s Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool (HEAT).
- Register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFLGov.net/StaySafe.
- Stay informed by following Hillsborough County on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor. Check HCFLGov.net/StaySafe regularly for updates. For general County information, call (813) 272-5900, the County’s main information line.
Even if Tropical Storm Eta has little impact on Hillsborough County, it’s wise to keep in mind that the official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin is not over until Nov. 30, and that the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has lived up to predictions of more activity than usual.