Michael Petruccelli asks; When is it time to decide if you are staying or evacuating?

Michael Petruccelli says; Now that you has assessed if you are in an evacuation zone or not, it is time to make a plan. After the tropical storm is being tracked and may become a hurricane, it is time to decide and make a plan.
If you have to evacuate, find out now where you will be going should an order be issued.
If you don’t have to evacuate, prepare shutters to protect your windows and brace your entry doors and garage door. Hurricanes are not only a concern for those whose homes are in the path of one, but for relatives and friends who may worry about those people. Preparedness is not just essential for dealing with the physical challenges of hurricane season, but having a plan will help you and your loved ones keep their peace of mind during this stressful time.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Where can you find that information if you live outside Pinellas county or in another state?

Michael Petruccelli says; If you live elsewhere in Florida or in another hurricane prone state, go to that County’s Emergency Management website or the county’s website and look for hurricane preparedness. There you should find a link to the elevation map for your county & the evacuation zones and routes for evacuation.

Michael Petruccelli asks; How do you know if you live in an evacuation zone?

Michael Petruccelli says; For Pinellas county, Florida residents…

Check out Pinellas County’s Evacuation Level Lookup. Enter your address and you will be provided not only information on your evacuation level, but also the closest shelter, the closest special needs shelter and the closest hotel accommodation.

Call the Pinellas County Interactive Hurricane Evacuation Inquiry Line at (727) 453-3150 and key in your home phone number without the area code to hear your home’s evacuation zone.

Call Pinellas County Emergency Management at (727) 464-3800 for help looking up your home’s evacuation level. Regular business hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Your evacuation zone is printed on your Pinellas County Utility bills and the Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notices sent by the Property Appraiser.

Remember....
All residents living in mobile homes/manufactured homes must evacuate, even if their homes are located in a non-evacuation area.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What names will be used 2013 Atlantic hurricane season?

Michael Petruccelli says; Storm Names

The following names will be used for named storms that form in the North Atlantic in 2013. Retired names, if any, will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2014. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2019 season. This is the same list used in the 2007 season, except for Dorian, Fernand, and Nestor which replaced Dean, Felix, and Noel respectively.

Andrea Barry Chantal (currently active) Dorian (unused) Erin (unused) Fernand (unused) Gabrielle (unused)

Humberto (unused) Ingrid (unused) Jerry (unused) Karen (unused) Lorenzo (unused) Melissa (unused) Nestor (unused)

Olga (unused) Pablo (unused) Rebekah (unused) Sebastien (unused) Tanya (unused) Van (unused) Wendy (unused)