safety

Evacuation Information

Check evacuation zones

For information on evacuation zones or a map of the area with evacuation zones listed, please pick up a copy of a local hurricane guide. The guides are available at most public locations.

If your area is evacuated

Leave early. Authorities will tell you if you need to evacuate. If you wait too long, you could be blocked by flooded roads, toppled trees, fallen wires or heavy traffic conditions.
Before leaving, lock your home and unplug electrical appliances (except for refrigerators and freezers, to preserve contents).
Follow instructions of local authorities carefully.
Travel with care. Watch for washed-out roadways, weakened road surfaces, downed electric wires, and fallen or falling trees. Listen to your car radio for important information.
Watch for flooding. Don’t try to cross a flooded area unless you're sure how deep it is. If the water is deeper than you think, you could be dangerously stranded. Cross only if the water comes no higher than the center of your car’s wheels.

If still at home in a non-evacuation zone

Don’t leave your home until you hear from authorities that conditions are safe. Remember, a lull in a hurricane means the wind will soon return from the opposite direction.
If water is about to enter your home, turn off all electricity: place your main breaker(s) in the OFF position or remove fuses.
If you lose electricity, keep your refrigerator or freezer doors closed to preserve food as long as possible.

Disabled evacuation assistance

County agencies are ready to help you should a hurricane threaten our area. If you will need assistance or transportation because of age, handicap or special need, please call today.

To register for this kind of shelter care in communities Tampa Electric serves, please call the special needs registry in your area. Hillsborough: 813-272-5900; Polk: 863-534-5600; Pasco: 727-847-8137; and Pinellas: 727-464-3800. Explain what kind of assistance you may require during an evacuation, such as wheelchair or ambulance service. Authorities then will be prepared to help you should you need to be evacuated. (Note: If you depend on a medical device operated by electricity, please provide yourself with a portable generator or other emergency power source. If you request, we will provide you with a list of suppliers.)

Assistance is available to the disabled, primarily during storm-related emergencies by various county emergency groups. Some of the emergency authorities may assist you with shelter and transportation to shelters during electrical outages (e.g., cold and hot weather rolling blackouts) which do not require mass evacuation. Since this service can vary depending upon the county, please inquire about it when you call your county emergency office.