Hurricane Preparedness for Clearwater Beach Residents

5/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO advises all Clearwater and Pinellas Coucnty residents to be prepared for Hurricane Season. We are Faster to any size disaster™.

Proactive Planning Can Mitigate Hurricane Damage

As hurricane season approaches on June 1st, Clearwater residents must take specific steps to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their properties. This guide, provided by SERVPRO® of Clearwater South / Clearwater Beach, outlines measures that can be taken before, during, and after a hurricane if residents are required to evacuate.

Before the Storm

Residents should prepare emergency kits containing fresh water, shelf-stable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, an emergency radio, and important documents stored in waterproof containers. Learn your local evacuation routes and prepare a plan for a quick departure. Keep vehicles fueled and stocked, monitor weather conditions carefully, and evacuate before the storms hit. Whenever feasible, leave the area before a mandatory evacuation is issued. Consider going to a hotel or staying with family in another city. If necessary, make use of a public evacuation shelter.

During the Storm

Once the storm hits, stay indoors and away from windows. If your Internet or cellular signal access is interrupted, monitor the storm's progress via a battery-powered emergency radio. Focus on conserving cell phone battery life if there is an outage.

You will need to evacuate your home if you meet the following criteria:

• You live in a mobile home park.
• You live in an evacuation zone.
• You are in a designated evacuation zone, even if you do not live there.

Pinellas County offers multiple means of finding your evacuation zone online, on mobile, or by calling (727) 464-3800.

After the Storm

Residents who evacuated their homes should wait to return until an all-clear order has been issued. Drive slowly and carefully back to your home, avoiding trees, downed power lines, standing water, and other hazards.

Assess the damage to your property cautiously, starting with the home’s exterior. Leave if you notice a gas leak, standing water, or fire damage. If it is safe, document the damage with photographs or videos, which will be necessary for filing insurance claims.

SERVPRO is Here to Help®

SERVPRO of Clearwater South / Clearwater Beach is ready to assist if your property is damaged. Our technicians are IICRC-certified and can perform water extraction, deploy OSHA-approved antimicrobial solutions, and implement structural drying, mold remediation, and reconstruction services. SERVPRO also assists with billing insurers, documentation, and paperwork processing.

Consider signing up early for our Storm Emergency List to ensure prompt service following a disaster. Call (727) 614-0099 anytime for 24/7 restoration services from our team of licensed, insured contractors.