Pasco County shelters and emergency information
By Times Staff Writer
Published May 29, 2005
Depending on the severity of the storm, all shelters may not be opened. Before evacuating, check your local news or the government access channel to see which shelters are open, and listen for emergency information updates throughout the storm.
1. * River Ridge Middle/High School, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
2. Pine View Middle School, 5334 Parkway Blvd., Land O'Lakes
3. * Thomas Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road, Zephyrhills
4. * Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel
5. Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo
6. Seven Springs Middle School, 2441 Little Road, New Port Richey
7. Chasco Elementary School, 7702 Ridge Road, New Port Richey
8. Trinity Elementary School, 2209 Duck Slough Blvd., New Port Richey
9. Centennial Middle School, 38501 Centennial Road, Dade City
10. Schrader Elementary School, 11041 Little Road, New Port Richey
11. Calusa Elementary School, 7520 Orchid Lake Road, New Port Richey
12. Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., Lutz
13. Lacoochee Elementary School, 38815 Cummer Road, Dade City
14. Pasco High School, 36850 State Road 52, Dade City
15. Pine View Elementary School, 533 Parkway Blvd., Land O'Lakes
16. R.B. Stewart Middle School, 38505 10th Ave., Zephyrhills
17. * Zephyrhills High School, 6335 12th St., Zephyrhills
18. J.W. Mitchell High School, 2323 Little Road, New Port Richey (available July 5)
19. Longleaf Elementary School, 3253 Town Ave., New Port Richey (opens Aug. 5)
20. Seven Oaks Elementary School, 27633 Mystic Oak, Wesley Chapel (opens Aug. 5)
* Public shelters with wheelchair accessibility
To check your evacuation level on the Internet:http://gis.pascocountyfl.net/evaczones
The evacuation planThe colored areas on this map are vulnerable to storm surge. Storm surge is saltwater flooding that rushes over coastal and river 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, making it the most deadly of hurricane hazards.
Pasco County is vulnerable to inland rain-related flooding. Residents who have experienced property flooding in the past are likely to experience flooding during a hurricane. Low-lying flood-prone areas are strongly recommended to evacuate for all hurricanes.
Hurricanes are categorized on a scale of 1 to 5 depending on the strength of the winds. Storm surge can reach 7 feet above sea level in a Category 1 hurricane, and as much as 28 feet above sea level for a Category 5 storm. Depending on the track and strength of a threatening hurricane, local officials may order any one, or all, of five evacuation levels.
These are Evacuation levels A, B, C, D and E (see above). These levels correspond to the flooding that is likely to occur from the five categories of hurricanes.
If you live in a mobile home, manufactured home or a recreational vehicle, you must evacuate at all evacuation levels regardless of where you are located. These structures are extremely vulnerable to hurricane winds.
If you live in an area ordered to evacuate, or 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.
Important phone numbersNew Port Richey (727) 847-8959
TDD (727) 847-8949
or call Florida Relay Service 1-800-955-8771
Web site:
During an emergency event, go to this website for the latest information:
http://www.pascocountyfl.net/oem/emerginfo.asp
Resident emergency information(727) 847-8959
American Red Cross
Pasco County Branch (727) 862-8685
Tampa Bay Suncoast Chapter (813) 251-0921
Pasco County special needs registration
(727) 847-8137
(352) 521-5137
Pasco County Animal Control
New Port Richey (727) 849-3730
Land O'Lakes (813) 929-1212
Dade City (352) 567-0234
Government access channels
BrightHouse channels 2 and 19