Emergency information for residents of Hillsborough County
By Times Staff Writer
Published June 6, 2004
Click here for a printable Hillsborough County evacuation zone map with current information about shelters. You will need the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe for viewing.
47. Wilson Elementary School, 702 English St., Plant City
48. Greco Middle School, 6925 E Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace
49. # Ippolito Elementary School, 6874 S Falkenburg Road, Riverview
50. # Bryant Elementary School, 13910 Nine Eagles Blvd., Tampa
51. Muller Elementary School, 13615 N 22nd St., Tampa
52. Bowers Whitley Career Center, 13609 N 22nd St., Tampa
60. Durant High School, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City
61. Plant City High School, 1 Raider Place, Plant City
72. *# Church of Jesus Christ L.D.S., 8020 N Gunn Highway, Tampa
Reduced shelter scenarios
For major hurricanes threatening Hillsborough County, all shelters listed are projected to be open. Under other scenarios (such as certain hurricanes on the lower end of the intensity scale), a reduced number of shelters will be opened. All or a portion of those shelters indicated by a * will be opened under reduced shelter scenarios. Shelters designated by a # will not be open for Category 4 or 5 hurricanes.
Special needs shelters
Hillsborough County provides a shelter program for those residents requiring special medically related care. Special needs shelters will be available for persons requiring more skilled medical care than available in a regular shelter but not requiring an acute care facility such as a hospital. If this type of extended care is needed, contact the Emergency Operations Center, 272-6900, to be considered for registration.
Warning
Red Cross public shelters are indicated on the map and cross-referenced by number on this page. Public shelter spaces are limited, so shelters may fill up quickly during an evacuation. In addition, shelters provide an austere living environment. Those who need to evacuate should make every effort to find a protected location other than a public shelter. This may include homes of friends or relatives that do not have to be evacuated, hotels in safe areas, or prepare to depart the county to a safer location.
Under a major storm scenario, it may become necessary to open refuges to accommodate evacuees. These facilities have not been fully certified as Red Cross shelters and may not have the extent of services available at Red Cross shelters.
All residents looking for refuge from a storm should tune in to local television and radio stations for updated information. Announcements will be made confirming shelter openings and alternate refuges if necessary.
Important phone numbers
(Note: Do not call 911 for hurricane information. The 911 line is reserved for
life-threatening emergencies only.)
American Red Cross 348-4820
Hillsborough Info Line 272-5900
Hillsborough Emergency Management 272-6900
TDD 276-2395
Hillsborough County Building Department (building permits and inspections) 272-5600
How to use this map
1. Refer to the map to locate where you live and work.
2. Determine whether you are in an evacuation area and if so, what level (color).
3. If in an evacuation area (or mobile/manufactured home or RV), decide now where you will go if ordered to evacuate. Your choices include:
* The home of a friend or relative outside the evacuation zone.
* A hotel or motel (remember, you will have to leave early and call ahead).
* Leave the area entirely.
* As a last resort, go to a Red Cross shelter.
4. If you decide you will have to go to a Red Cross shelter, use the map to decide which one will be convenient.
The evacuation plan
The colored areas on this map are vulnerable to storm surge. Storm surge is saltwater flooding that rushes over coastal areas - near where the eye of the hurricane strikes - destroying homes and businesses in its path. Nine of 10 hurricane-related deaths are caused by storm surge.
Hurricanes are categorized on a scale of 1 to 5, depending on the strength of the winds. Storm surge can reach 5 or 6 feet above sea level in the Category 1 hurricane to more than 25 feet above sea level in a Category 5 hurricane. Depending on the track and strength of a threatening hurricane, local officials may order one of five evacuation levels. These levels correspond to the storm surge flooding that is likely to occur from the five categories of hurricanes.
If you live in an area ordered to evacuate, or if you live in a mobile home, manufactured home or RV, gather your emergency supplies, secure your home and leave immediately. Failure to obey an evacuation order is a violation of Florida law.
[Last modified June 4, 2004, 11:11:25]
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