With the most active months of hurricane season approaching, St. Petersburg is stepping up preparedness efforts aimed at one of Tampa Bay's most vulnerable populations: older adults.
Why it matters: Many of the people who died during Hurricanes Helene and Milton were over age 65, prompting local emergency managers to expand outreach before the peak of hurricane season.
The Sunshine Senior Center hosted a hurricane preparedness expo Friday, bringing together emergency management officials, first responders and community organizations to help seniors prepare before a storm threatens Tampa Bay.
What seniors should do now
Emergency officials recommend:
- Make an evacuation plan before a storm is in the Gulf.
- Register in advance for special needs shelters if medical assistance is required.
- Identify trusted sources for emergency information.
- Be alert for scams that often increase before and after hurricanes.
- Discuss evacuation plans with family, caregivers and neighbors.
The event also featured information from St. Pete Fire Rescue, the American Red Cross, Duke Energy and local disaster assistance organizations.
Bottom line: Tampa Bay is entering the historically busiest part of hurricane season. Emergency managers say the best time to prepare is before a storm appears on the forecast, especially for older adults who may need extra time or assistance to evacuate.
