Politics & Government
Pinellas County Government: Update 2: Residents, Visitors Should Prepare For Possible Impacts From Hurricane Elsa
Residents, visitors should prepare for possible impacts from Hurricane Elsa
July 2, 2021
Residents, visitors should prepare for possible impacts from Hurricane Elsa
Find out what's happening in Tarpon Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Pinellas County continuing to monitor the storm, preparing for potential impacts
Find out what's happening in Tarpon Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Latest storm/incident developments
· The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Elsa to a Category 1 hurricane. It is located in the central Caribbean and moving west-northwest.
· Pinellas County is in the five-day cone of uncertainty. The forecast track and future intensity remain highly uncertain at this time.
· Regardless of the storm’s eventual track, high winds, rain, and flooding or storm surge could start to affect Pinellas County late Monday, July 5, into early Tuesday. Please continue to monitor local weather sources for information on potential for and timing of any local impacts.
Pinellas County response/action
· The County Information Center is open for preparedness questions today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Call 727-464-4333. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the CIC via online chat with a County representative at www. pinellascounty.org.
· County crews are continuing to prepare drainage systems and roadways to reduce the risk of flooding.
· No County sandbag operations anticipated at this time.
· Web updates will be posted online at www.pinellascounty.org and www.pinellascounty.org/emegency/bulletin.htm.
Advice & Information for Residents & Visitors
· Make a plan now in case you need to shelter in place or leave your home.
· Look up your evacuation zone in one of the following ways:
o Visit http:// pinellascounty.org/knowyourzone.
o Download the Ready Pinellas app for iOS or Android
o If you have a land line, you can call 727-453-3150 and enter your 10-digit home phone number.
o Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can chat with a Pinellas County representative at www. pinellascounty.org.
· Stay informed:
o Sign up for Alert Pinellas at www.pinellascounty.org/alertpinellas.
o Monitor local news media, National Weather Service, www.pinellascounty.org, Facebook @PinellasCountyNews and Twitter @PinellasCoNews.
o Review tips and planning tools in the 2021 Hurricane Preparedness Guide online at www.pinellascounty.org/emergency.
· Review your disaster plan:
o Please preregister for special needs shelters by calling the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333.
§ Pre-registration is recommended for those transporting themselves. For those needing transportation assistance, registration is required.
§ Residents only need to register for special needs shelters once per season, so doing it now will help you for the rest of the year.
o Purchase necessary items to complete survival kit now.
o Prepare your kit. Be sure to include necessary hygiene supplies and gather important papers. For those going to a shelter, we recommend that you bring face coverings and sanitizer.
o Review checklist online at www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/prepareahead.htm
o Sign up for pet shelters now by visiting www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/petpreparedness
This press release was produced by the Pinellas County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
