Top 5 Things to Do Before a Storm
- Know your evacuation zone. Check Pinellas County or the Ready Pinellas app and decide where you will go if an evacuation is ordered.
- Build a storm kit. Have at least three days of food and water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and key documents in waterproof bags.
- Prepare for pets. Plan carriers, food, water, and ID tags. Confirm which shelters accept pets.
- Pick up sandbags early. Use City distribution sites before supplies run low and place them to protect doorways and garage entries.
- Stay connected. Sign up for City alerts, tune in to StPeteTV, and follow official City and County channels for updates.
Hurricane Preparedness for West St. Pete
Hurricane season is part of life on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and West St. Petersburg is no exception. While we cannot control when or how storms arrive, we can prepare ourselves, our families, and our neighborhoods. The City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and local organizations provide a wide range of resources to help us do just that. What follows is a comprehensive look at what you need to know this season.
City of St. Petersburg Resources
The City’s Hurricane Center is the main hub for information before, during, and after a storm. Here residents can find details on sandbag distribution, evacuation routes, and shelter availability. The City also posts updates through StPeteTV and official social media channels, which become vital sources of information as a storm approaches.
In addition to communication, the City continues to invest in flood control and stormwater infrastructure. Crews are working on drainage improvements in vulnerable neighborhoods and have added new pumps to help reduce flooding during heavy rain. High water rescue vehicles are also part of the City’s fleet, ready to reach areas that might otherwise be cut off when storm surge pushes water into the streets.
Countywide Preparedness
Pinellas County produces a comprehensive Hurricane Guide each year that is available both online and in print. The guide includes detailed evacuation zone maps, supply checklists, and information about the Ready Pinellas mobile app. This app helps families create an evacuation plan, know where to go, and stay connected as conditions change. To make sure everyone has access to critical information, the guide is translated into multiple languages and distributed widely throughout the county.
Building Resilience
Beyond the annual guides and emergency planning, recent reporting has focused on resilience projects that strengthen the city’s ability to withstand storms. Flood barriers have been tested at key infrastructure sites. Critical utilities are being flood-proofed, and temporary systems like AquaFence are available to protect areas that must remain operational during a storm. These investments do not remove the risk of flooding, but they reduce the chance that critical services will fail when we need them most.
Neighborhood-Level Preparation
Preparedness also begins at home. Each family should have a storm kit that includes food, water, medications, flashlights, and important documents sealed in waterproof containers. Pets require special attention with carriers, food, water, and identification tags. Sandbags are made available by the City in the days leading up to a major storm, and residents are encouraged to pick them up early before supplies run low.
Perhaps the most important step is knowing your evacuation zone. Pinellas County has one of the most detailed evacuation systems in the state, and knowing whether you are in Zone A, Zone B, or beyond determines when and if you should leave. Having a destination in mind, whether it is with family, friends, or a public shelter, ensures you are not scrambling at the last minute.
Working Together
Hurricane preparedness is not just an individual responsibility but a community effort. Every neighbor who takes the time to plan ahead helps ease the burden on emergency services. When we check on one another, especially the elderly or those without transportation, we make West St. Pete safer and stronger as a whole.
Final Thoughts
Hurricanes will always be a part of our environment, but preparation makes the difference between chaos and resilience. The City is equipping residents with resources and making infrastructure investments. The County provides detailed guides and evacuation planning tools. Local organizations and media outlets remind us of practical steps that often get overlooked. Together, these efforts create a web of support that we can all rely on when storms come our way.
Information for this article was compiled from the City of St. Petersburg Hurricane Center, the Pinellas County Hurricane Guide, St. Pete Rising, and the San Pedro Gazette.
