Be prepared: If you're in the path of a hurricane, here's what to do
When a hurricane strikes, things can go from fine to fatal in the blink of an eye, but being prepared for any outcome and having strong plans for all scenarios can significantly lessen the threat to you, your home and your loved ones.
Florida's hurricane-preparedness sales tax holiday starts Friday
Florida’s annual sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies returns Friday, giving residents a chance to save a few bucks while preparing for what’s expected to be a busy storm season. Here's what's covered.
Utility companies roll out new storm preparedness measures
Big storms have left millions of Floridians without power over the years, but in 2019 the legislature passed a law that requires power companies to start putting lines underground. Now, power companies are giving us a look at how they're tackling these requirements.
FEMA 101: Everything you should know about getting help after a hurricane
To be eligible for FEMA assistance, applicants must live in a county declared as a major disaster by the president of the United States. Here's what else you need to know.
Register now for special needs during storms
During Hurricane Irma, shelters designed to help those with special needs in Hillsborough County were over capacity, housing about 1,700 people.
Emergency managers prepare for above-average hurricane season
The one thing we know for sure about hurricanes is they're bigger than all of us. What we don't know is how many there will be, if they'll hit land, or how strong they'll be.
USF study aims to understand how the pandemic will impact behavior this hurricane season
With looser restrictions and widespread vaccine accessibility, researchers at the University of South Florida want to know how those changes might influence your family’s hurricane plan this year.
Extensive flooding from Tropical Storm Eta reveals Tampa Bay's vulnerability to larger storms
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has already shattered the record of named storms and there are still two weeks left before it is officially over.
Researchers track impact of COVID-19 on hurricane preparations, evacuations
At the start of an extremely active hurricane season, Floridians shared their thoughts on evacuations amid the threat of COVID-19 as part of a research study conducted by the University of South Florida.
Red Cross needs committed volunteers before a hurricane strikes
The Red Cross is recruiting volunteers who would be available to help in the case of a hurricane.
Florida's tax-free holiday for hurricane supplies lasts until June 4
Hurricane season isn't waiting for the COVID-19 pandemic to wrap up. As residents head out to gather their supplies, they're having to do things a little differently.
Hurricane prep tax holiday begins Friday
Starting Friday, shoppers in Florida emerging from coronavirus stay-at-home orders can avoid paying sales taxes while putting together disaster-preparation stockpiles for the 2020 hurricane season.
Florida disaster managers have COVID-19 in mind as hurricane season preps get underway
With two named storms in the already in the hurricane pre-season and an ongoing pandemic, Florida’s disaster managers are looking at this hurricane season a little differently.
Florida's tax-free holiday for hurricane supplies begins Friday
Floridians looking to prepare for hurricane season will be able to save money while shopping this weekend, as the state's sales tax holiday for supplies begins Friday.
Florida adds COVID-19 into its hurricane season preparations
With another expected active hurricane season starting June 1, Florida emergency management officials are taking into account a big new factor: the coronavirus.
Florida makes plans for dealing with COVID-19 in a hurricane
As Florida slowly reopens, officials are now contemplating what they should do if the coronavirus outbreak lingers into hurricane season.
Lakeland-based NOAA fleet to get new weather-tracking planes
NOAA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, is adding two new eyes in the sky to its fleet hangar at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
Utilities detail hurricane protection plans
Moving forward with a 2019 law that is expected to lead to more underground power lines, four major utilities have filed plans that call for billions of dollars in projects over the next decade to strengthen electric systems against hurricanes.
Here's why you shouldn't dump your sandbags on the beach
With Hurricane Dorian no longer a concern for Florida residents, many are left with sandbags after the storm. But before you throw those sandbags away, here are some important tips for what you should and should not do with all that sand.
Hurricane rookies: How to prepare now for Dorian, or any other storm
As Hurricane Dorian churns towards Florida, now is the time to make sure you're prepared. Although you hear it time and time again, if you've never been through a hurricane before or are new to Florida, it's hard to know exactly what that means.