Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 Update #2

Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 continues to develop in the Caribbean.

• PTC9 is expected to develop into Tropical Storm Helene today and a major hurricane in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 26.
• A Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch have been issued for the west coast of Florida, including Treasure Island.
• Coastal storm surge flooding is likely for much of the west coast of Florida, starting as early as late Wednesday.
• Tropical storm force winds will extend far from the center.
• Keep updated by signing up for Alert Pinellas and email notifications. The city will also post information on all social media channels and at MyTreasureIsland.com/Helene.

It’s time to get storm ready.

• Clear all loose items from your yard. This includes toys, sports equipment, yard debris, etc.
• If you do have yard waste, please place it in a can. Loose yard waste can wash away and clog storm drains. When placing yard waste out for collection, please do not place it in the roadway.
• City crews will be clearing areas around storm drains and ask residents to make sure those areas stay clear.
• Move appliances and furniture into the garage or shed. If that’s not possible, tie the loose items down.
• If you can, clear leaves, branches and debris from gutters.

Get more information and tips at MyTreasureIsland.com/StormReady

The Pinellas County Information Center (CIC) is now open for preparedness questions. Call (727) 464-4333. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the CIC during those same hours via online chat at bit.ly/PinellasChat

Preparing Your Boat for a Storm:

Take your boat out of the water if possible.

• Strap your boat securely to your trailer and move it outside of areas that could flood. Avoid parking under trees. Once at a safe place, use wheel chocks or blocks to prevent rolling.
• Secure your boat with heavy nylon lines to fixed objects. If possible, find a location that will allow you to secure it from all four sides. It can be tied to screw anchors. Do not secure your boat to a tree.
• If you plan for a local marina to haul your boat out of the water and secure it, have it taken out long before the arrival of tropical storm-force winds.

If you are unable to take your boat out of the water:

• Secure your boat in a protected and stable location. Keep in mind that docks can be damaged in a major hurricane.
• Double all lines. Run crossing spring lines, each from one end of the boat to the opposite end on the dock. Attach lines high on pilings, keeping in mind that the longer the lines, the better, to allow for rising tides or storm surge. Make sure lines will not slip off pilings. Inspect pilings and choose those that seem strongest, tallest and properly installed. Be sure to use chafe protectors on the lines and fenders to protect the boat.

Remove all Moveable Equipment

• This includes canvas, sails, dinghies, radios, biminis and roller furling sails, etc.
• Tie down everything you can’t remove, including tillers, wheels and booms.

Sandbag Information:

• Treasure Island does not provide sandbags because the city is prone to storm surge and sandbags are ineffective against storm surge.
• There are several alternatives to sandbags, including flood bags and barriers, flood gates and water-activated dams. Most of these alternatives are reusable. They are available at most home improvement stores and may offer more protection than sandbags.
• Pinellas County and most municipal sandbag sites only provide 10 sandbags per household to ensure as many eligible residents receive help as possible. Ten sandbags will only protect one doorway to a height of approximately 15 inches of slow-moving water if they are installed correctly.