CLEARWATER, Fla. – Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater are teaming up to ensure residents aren’t caught off guard when the Atlantic hurricane season officially kicks off. On Saturday, May 30, the North Greenwood Recreation Center will transform into a one-stop shop for storm readiness during the annual Hurricane Preparedness Day expo.
The free event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., aims to simplify the often-stressful process of building a family disaster plan.
The expo is designed to be more than just a pamphlet handout. Local specialists will be on-site to help residents look up their specific evacuation zones and register for the Special Needs Evacuation Program, a critical resource for those who require extra assistance during a storm.
READ: Colorado Experts Predict A Break For Florida This Hurricane Season
For those worried about the heavy lifting of storm prep, the event will feature live demonstrations on how to properly use sandbags and a walkthrough of what an emergency shelter actually looks like.
Safety isn’t the only focus; the event includes several cost-saving perks for the community. The Salvation Army is providing a lunch of free hot dogs and chips, while OneBlood will be hosting a mobile blood drive where donors can snag a $20 gift card. Pet owners can also take advantage of free veterinary exams, rabies vaccinations, and microchipping for their furry friends with the purchase of a county license.
“Attendees will be able to meet with preparedness and disaster recovery specialists and access resources to make it easier to plan ahead before a storm is on the radar,” organizers noted. Beyond the personal prep, the event includes a Business Resource Center and free disaster legal aid to help local entrepreneurs navigate the financial side of recovery.
To keep the younger crowd engaged, the expo features a dedicated kids’ education zone and the chance to explore emergency response vehicles up close. For those who cannot attend the May 30 event, Pinellas County officials encourage residents and business owners to visit disaster.pinellas.gov to access digital evacuation maps and a comprehensive emergency kit checklist.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
