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Emergency Officials Battle Complacency Over Hurricane Season

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: June 4, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - "Hurricane Complacency" are two words that just never will go together, Pasco County emergency officials say.

"Complacency is the single word" to describe reactions of West Pasco residents, said James Martin, the county's emergency management director.

"Don't wait for the storm to form" could serve as a motto for people to prepare. "Get a plan!"

That was the advice on the Pasco Emergency Management href=http://www.pascoemergencymanagement.com> Web site, at which a timer ticked down to the June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which continues through Nov. 30.

People also might want to jot down county emergency management phone numbers in a visible place. The Resident Information Center can be reached at 727-847-8959. The office phone for the Emergency Operations Center in New Port Richey is 727-847-8137.

"Current hurricane predictions indicate a heightened year for tropical storm development," the Web site advises online visitors.

Concern among West Pasco residents largely blew over after the tumultuous 2004 season, when four hurricanes threatened the area within six weeks. The 2005 season ushered in Hurricane Katrina and another round of big storms.

But the rate of storms heading this way died down in 2006 and 2007, Martin observed. Time is wasting for residents to stock up on emergency supplies and work out their own personal evacuation plans.

They should learn the evacuation zone for their neighborhoods. Those zones are A through E. People in A zones would have to evacuate even during the least intense hurricanes.

The zones have remained the same this year.

County evacuation shelters at area schools are a last resort, officials emphasize.

Pasco this year has three more shelters for a total of 25, Martin reports. That means some 30,000 people could fit in those 25 shelters, figuring on 20 square feet per person.

In the direst emergency, the space per person might have to shrink to as little as 10 square feet - roughly one-tenth the space of a small bedroom.

The county practices what it preaches on preparation, officials say.

This week Pasco County emergency staff will take part in a statewide exercise, Martin pointed out. The drill will trace the often unpredictable route of a mock hurricane. More drills are planned throughout the stormy season.

"The School Board has been very supportive," Martin commented about adding shelters.

Pet-friendly shelter

Also, the county's first pet-friendly evacuation shelter is available in Land O' Lakes, Martin noted. Advance registration is required to reserve some of the spaces for 100 dogs and 200 cats while the pet owner stays at the shelter across the street at Pine View Elementary.

The pet shelter at Pine View Middle School is open to residents living in Evacuation Zones A, B, and C and mobile homes. It is no longer restricted to pet owners living in Evacuation Zone A and mobile homes.

For a registration form and information, go online to the Pasco Animal Services href=http://www.pascocountyfl.net> Web site and click on "Important Disaster Information."

Animal Services still needs many volunteers for the labor-intensive Pet Friendly Shelter whenever it is activated this hurricane season. Volunteers for this task are encouraged to sign up as a member of the Pasco Animal Response Team via e-mail or by visiting the Animal Services web page. PART will provide training to all approved volunteers.

Hurricane prep tips on TV

Pasco County's 24-hour government cable TV station will feature extensive TV programs on hurricane preparedness, according to Eric Keaton, public communications manager for the county.

On the latest episode of "Pasco 360," the one-one-one interview program, Martin explains how residents can stay safe during a hurricane or any other disaster.

The show, hosted by Keaton, airs three times a day on Bright House Networks Channel 622 and Verizon Channel 42. Show times are 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

In future segments, Libraries Director Linda Allen will discuss how the libraries play a key role in keeping Pasco residents informed before, during and after a hurricane. Public Communications Specialist Amy Ellis will talk about how the Office of Tourism also serves as a hub of information during a storm or other disaster.

On the air

The Pasco County Government channel, 622 on the Bright House Networks system in West Pasco, will pick up four, hurricane-themed specials produced by the state of Florida - "Get Ready Florida," "Against the Wind," "Shuttering Your Home," and "After the Storm." These programs will air four times a day, at 6:30 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com. Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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