PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – As the June 1 start of the 2025 hurricane season approaches, Pinellas County Emergency Management is proactively encouraging all residents to take three essential steps to enhance their safety and preparedness: Know your risk, make a plan, and stay informed.
Officials emphasize that understanding potential dangers, particularly from storm surge, is crucial. “Evacuations are ordered to protect people from storm surge, which is the most life-threatening part of a hurricane,” the agency stated.
Residents can identify their evacuation zone by visiting disaster.pinellas.gov, downloading the Ready Pinellas app, or calling (727) 464-3800.
READ: NOAA’s Warning To Florida: Above-Average Hurricane Season Looms For 2025
Even those not in designated evacuation zones should assess their vulnerability to flooding from heavy rain by checking floodmaps.pinellas.gov. Individuals residing in mobile or manufactured homes, or those dependent on electricity for medical equipment, are considered at higher risk and should always plan to evacuate.
Secondly, creating a comprehensive emergency plan is vital. This includes assembling or updating a hurricane kit with essential supplies. A detailed list can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov. The 2025 Pinellas County Hurricane Guide, a key resource for planning for all family members including those with special needs and pets, is available online and at various locations:
- Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N., St. Petersburg (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- The Centre, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor (Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
- Pinellas County libraries
- Municipal buildings
- Pinellas County offices
Residents with medical needs or requiring transportation assistance may qualify for the Special Needs Evacuation Program. Registration and further information are available at disaster.pinellas.gov or by calling (727) 464-3800. Boat owners are also advised to consult disaster.pinellas.gov for hurricane preparation guidelines.
READ: Powering Through Peril In Florida: Essential Generator Safety As Hurricane Season Looms
The third key step is to stay informed using trusted sources. Pinellas County Government (Facebook @PinellasGov, X @PinellasEM and @PinellasGov), local news outlets, and the National Weather Service Tampa Bay are recommended for timely and reliable updates. Residents should sign up for Alert Pinellas notifications, download the Ready Pinellas app, and have a battery-operated or hand-crank NOAA weather radio.
Upcoming Preparedness Events:
To further assist residents, Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg will host a free Hurricane Preparedness Day expo on Saturday, May 31. The family-friendly event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Willis S. Johns Recreation Center, 6635 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg, providing valuable information and resources.
Additionally, sandbag distribution events for residents of unincorporated Pinellas County will be held on Friday, June 13 (Noon – 6 p.m.) and Saturday, June 14 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Locations are John Chesnut Sr. Park (2200 East Lake Road S., Palm Harbor) and Walsingham Park (12615 102nd Ave., Seminole). There is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Officials note that sandbags may help with minor flooding (up to 15 inches) but will not protect homes from high water or storm surge. Residents in municipalities should contact their city government regarding sandbag availability.
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