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Hey, Clearwater! Hurricane season is here, and it’s time to get prepared. Our community knows how quickly things can change when a storm is approaching. Being prepared now can make all the difference when a storm is on the way. Let’s make sure our homes and families are safe. Stay safe, Clearwater!
 Hurricane season brings challenges, but our community is here to support you. This community expo is your opportunity to prepare, learn, and connect with local resources that can make a difference. This program is hosted by the Hispanic Outreach Center Centro de Apoyo Hispano, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, and the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center.
 The city of Clearwater's 2025 Hurricane Preparedness Expo is Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St. This free, family-friendly event will offer something for everyone, including a variety of vendors and local organizations, giveaways, free hurricane kits, and a touch-a-truck featuring a variety of city of Clearwater vehicles and boats.
 Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to Nov. 30, predicts a 30 percent chance of a near-normal season, a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season, and a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season.
The agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, six to 10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including three to five major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70 percent confidence in these ranges.
 Evacuation zones are areas that city and county officials may order people to leave during a hurricane or tropical storm. These zones are based on how likely your area is to be affected by storm surge -- the dangerous flooding caused by high winds pushing seawater onto land
If you are a new resident in Pinellas County, evacuation zones are labeled with letters (A, B, C, D, E, etc.). Zone A is the most at risk and is evacuated first; Zone E is evacuated last, if needed. Your evacuation zone depends mostly on your ground elevation and how close you are to the coast or other bodies of water.
It's important to always know your evacuation zone and to listen for official evacuation orders during hurricane season.
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Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
 Subscribe to Alert Pinellas, Pinellas County's emergency notification system. You will receive free, urgent alerts for a variety of situations, such as severe weather, boil-water orders, or hurricanes. Opt in for phone calls, text messages, or emails.
Prepare Now
Here are some tips to jump-start your hurricane preparedness.
 Prepare now, before storms become a threat. Being ready can make all the difference, and every minute counts. From inspecting your home to stocking essential supplies, acting now can help you stay safe and ready all season long.
Emergency Kit (Three-Day Supply)
- Food (non-perishable) and water (1 gallon/person/day)
- Flashlights, batteries, battery-powered radio
- First-aid kit and prescription medications
- Hygiene items
- Pet food/supplies
Evacuation Ready
- Know your zone and route.
- Keep your vehicles fueled.
- Pack your emergency kit, IDs, valuables, and important documents.
- Don’t leave pets behind.
- Elevate appliances such as water heaters and air-conditioning units.
- Know your flood zone.
Insurance and Documentation
- Photograph/video your home and valuables.
- Review insurance coverage; purchase flood insurance early (note, there may be a 30-day wait before coverage begins).
 Here’s how you can help the city of Clearwater's Solid Waste and Recycling crews work faster and more efficiently:
As a Storm is Approaching: Secure Your Debris
- Don’t trim trees or branches before a named storm is approaching. Freshly cut debris can become hazardous if they are blown around by high winds. In addition, our solid waste crews may not be able to collect yard waste before a storm arrives.
- Secure your black solid waste barrel and your blue recycling bin in a garage or shed, if possible. This prevents them from getting blown over, floating away, or becoming projectiles during high winds.
- If you are a business owner with a dumpster on site, secure it as best you can. Several dumpsters floated away during hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
- Store sandbags throughout the hurricane season so you’re ready when storms approach.
After a Storm: Set Out Debris the Right Way
- Separate debris into distinct piles at the curb:
- Yard waste (vegetation)
- Construction/demolition materials (wood, drywall, etc.)
- Appliances (stove, washer, dryer, refrigerator)
- Hazardous waste (paints, chemicals, batteries)
- Do not mix debris types. Unsorted debris slows down our collection crews and can lead to delays for everyone.
- Keep debris away from mailboxes, trees, fire hydrants, utility poles and water meters, all of which can interfere with collection.
- Don't park vehicles in front of piles of debris. Our crews need clear access to your curb.
 Recycling During Storms
- Place clean, accepted items only in your blue recycling bin. After storms, contaminated recycling may be rejected. During hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, more than 9 tons of recycling was contaminated.
- Make sure the lid of your recycling bin is closed so rain does not get in. Once recyclables get wet, items like mixed paper and cardboard break apart, cannot be recycled, and contaminate the entire bin of potential recyclables.
- If you are unsure what can be recycled, check the city’s recycling guidelines at MyClearwater.com/Recycling.
Why These Actions Matter
- Having properly-sorted debris at the curb helps our solid waste crews collect materials in a faster, safer, more efficient manner.
- Keeping your solid waste and recycling barrels and dumpsters secure prevents hazards in your neighborhood or community.
- Proper recycling keeps our program running, reduces landfill waste, and helps us to put recyclables to a higher and better use.
After a major storm, debris can pile up fast. If you manage a condo community or commercial property, your association must complete a right-of-entry form before a storm hits. This form allows the city and its contractors to remove debris from the right of way if it becomes a safety hazard. Without this permission, we can’t legally enter your site.
Why It Matters:
• One form per property or association is all that’s needed
• Speeds up cleanup after a hurricane
• Helps protect the health and safety of your residents, tenants, or customers
Forms must be completed by June 30.
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 If you live or work on the barrier islands such as Clearwater Beach, Sand Key or Island Estates, you may need a barrier island re-entry pass to get back after an evacuation. Don’t wait until a storm is coming to obtain a pass.
 While evacuation zones and flood zones sound the same, flood zones and evacuation zones are different. Flood zones tell you how likely your property is to flood any time of year; flooding can be caused by heavy rains, tropical storms or hurricanes. Evacuation zones are based on a property’s vulnerability to storm surge from a hurricane or tropical storm.
Find out what your flood risk is and purchase flood insurance. Prepare ahead, know your zone, and follow evacuation orders. Both are important for staying safe and protecting your home in Clearwater.
 During last year's hurricanes, many residents reached out to see how they could help those impacted in their community. Residents can sign up now to be post-storm volunteers.
You can volunteer with a certain project in mind. For example, if a specific neighborhood association wants to complete a cleanup at its neighborhood park, it would request project and supplies here: Volunteer Project Request.
If an individual or group is looking to help out but don't already have a project in mind, they could search for post-storm project listings here: City of Clearwater Parks & Recreation | GivePulse. Volunteer projects will be posted as needed after storms.
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