Hurricane Season 2010 Spirals to Halfway PointWhat started out as a nice, quiet hurricane season suddenly got busy, with six named storms, and a new tropical depression just named by the National Hurricane Center. Pinellas County Emergency Management officials remind residents that a quiet start doesn't mean the season won't be busy. The first storm of the1984 season formed August 28, but was followed by 11 named systems. The Atlantic hurricane season is also entering what is statistically the busiest time of the year-the month of September. With the increased activity, hurricane survival plans should be finalized in case a storm threatens the Tampa Bay area. The most important steps include: Know your zone: Residents should know their evacuation level. This information can be found at Pinellas County's Emergency Management website, by calling (727) 453-3150, or by checking your water bill or the recently mailed Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice. Prepare your survival kit: It is possible that residents will spend the first five to seven days on their own after a storm makes landfall. A survival kit should at least contain water, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, a flashlight, a battery operated or crank radio, a car cell phone charger and necessary medications. A complete list of supplies can be found on the county's website or in the Surviving the Storm hurricane guide available at city halls and libraries. Stay in the know: Since conditions can change rapidly this time of the year, residents are urged to check a weather forecast at least daily to stay aware of the situation in the tropics. For more information on how to build a hurricane preparedness plan, visit Pinellas County's Emergency Management at www.pinellascounty.org/emergency,or call (727) 464-3800. Surviving the storm: It's everyone's responsibility.
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