Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Tampa Bay Area, FL
Issued by NWS Tampa Bay Area, FL
599 NOUS42 KTBW 101202 PNSTBW FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165- 239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-110015- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 802 AM EDT Fri May 10 2024 ...HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK 2024... ...USE CAUTION AFTER STORMS IS THE THEME FOR TODAY... All this week, your National Weather Service will be issuing informative messages to help you prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Here is a list of the remaining topics for this week. Today: Use Caution After Storms Saturday: Take Action Today Dangers remain after the storm passes. This is not the time to let your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane related fatalities occur after the storm. If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe. Be sure to check with local officials both where you are staying and back home before you travel. Clean up safely. Stay far away from downed power lines. Do not walk or drive through floodwaters. Just 12 inches of water can float a car, and flooding can compromise bridges and roads. The water itself can contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, sharp objects, and dangerous animals. Around buildings, walk carefully around the outside of your home to check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage including dangerous debris such as nails and broken glass. Leave your home if there is any shifting or unusual noises, and get outdoors immediately if you smell gas and call 911. Be sure to practice extreme safety with portable generators. Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death in areas dealing with power outages. Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if windows and doors are open. Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows. After a hurricane, emergency responders may be overwhelmed. Be aware that it could take hours or days for them to be able to reach your area. Communication systems may be impacted, and making phone or video calls might be difficulty due to network congestion. If possible, communicate via text, email, or social media. For more information about hurricane preparedness, please visit the following websites: https://weather.gov/safety/hurricane https://noaa.gov/use-caution- after-storms https://ready.gov/neighbors https://flash.org $$