Emergency information for residents of Pasco County
By Times Staff Writer
Published June 6, 2004
Click here for a printable Pasco County evacuation zone map with current information about shelters. You will need the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe for viewing.
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 2, 2004, 13:12:06]
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