When a Hurricane Watch is issued you should:

Listen to a radio or television for hurricane progress reports.

• Check emergency supplies.
• Fuel the car.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows.
• Remove outside antennas.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs and bottles.
• Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.
  

When a Hurricane Warning is issued you should:

Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.

• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
• Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.
• Elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
• In high rise building, avoid elevators.
  

If evacuation is necessary you should:

• Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place. Leave as soon as possible.
• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
• Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.
• Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing. Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter. Lock up home and leave.

The evacuation route off Treasure Island is the Treasure Island Causeway.
Evacuation notification will be telecast in Treasure Island on TITV615 and on Pinellas 622 . For official information before, during and after a storm, listen to Pinellas County AM radio station WEOC-940 AM.

Special Medical Needs Evacuees
People with medical problems or handicaps that require special assistance during an evacuation can register for special needs assistance. Contact the Treasure Island Fire Department at 547-4590 and register as a Special Needs Evacuee.

After Landfall and Re-Entry Procedures

No two evacuation or re-entry processes will be alike, and it is difficult to predict a timeframe when re-entry will occur. Treasure Island city officials are aware that everyone will be anxious to return to their homes as soon as possible, but two things must occur before residents and property owners are allowed re-entry:

• Damage Assessment Teams must complete evaluation reports so Treasure Island will be eligible for federal disaster assistance (this could take several hours or days depending on severity of the storm.)

• A relative amount of safety must be established (roads and debris need to be cleared for safe passage.)

Re-entry may be restricted for a while even after damage is initally assessed and roads made passable. The public's understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Treasure Island Police and/or Pinellas County Sheriff’s Officers will be located at each bridge to Treasure Island, to check for identification indicating property ownership or residency. A Treasure Island beach parking pass will be honored as proof of residency. If you do not have a parking pass, reasonable identification will be accepted as a re-entry pass, such as a driver's license, recent water, tax, or electric bill indicating local ownership or residency.

Re-Entry Guidelines
The nature and severity of the storm and the level of damage in Treasure Island determine re-entry procedures. Re-entry and access may be allowed to temporarily secure and stabilize property, with no permanent repairs allowed at that time.

All emergency proclamations must be obeyed which typically include items such as

• Access limited to your own property, curfews, restricted travel, restrictions on type or number of vehicles allowed, and acceptance of risk upon entering Treasure Island during early re-entry.
• Priority is given to restoring services and insuring that roads are passable.
• Re-entry access may be terminated at any time to insure restoration of services.
• All emergency proclamations will be strictly enforced.

When you arrive home

• LOOK for visible structural damage before you go inside. Watch for loose or dangling electrical power lines and broken sewer, water, or gas lines. Notify officials IMMEDIATELY if any are seen.
• Ensure all electrical outlets and appliances are dry and free of water before using.
• DO NOT drink water from the faucet until officially notified it is safe from contamination. Use your emergency supply or boil tap water before drinking or using for cooking purposes.
• Loss of electricity can cause refrigerated food to spoil in a few hours. DO NOT eat it! Food in a freezer can partially thaw and be safe to eat for several days. DO NOT refreeze food.

Residents and property owners are reminded to remain in your homes or businesses and not attempt to travel to other areas of Treasure Island. Local public safety officials and residents/property owners of the affected areas may have substantial damage and will appreciate your staying away, making their job easier and safer.

6 Health Factors

Contaminated storm debris

Experts estimate as many as 35 million homes across the United States are contaminated with asbestos products. Most homes built before 1980 contain some form of asbestos.

When these contaminated construction materials are damaged during a hurricane, hazardous asbestos fibers can be released into the community. Asbestos exposure has been known to cause a number of health threatening illnesses such as asbestosis, cancer and mesothelioma.

To help prevent asbestos exposure, it's important to know what products in the home have the potential to contain this toxic material. Common construction materials may contain asbestos.

Click here to find out why asbestos is a threat after a natural disaster.

Mesothelioma Cancer Center

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