HURRICANE EXPO 2011

We hope you will join us for the 2011 Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo at the Museum of Science & Industry on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Personal preparation has always been the focus of our Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo.

Whether it is the 2008 theme - Know Your Zone; Make a Plan – which focused on the importance of knowing your evacuation zone and making an effective plan for you and your family to follow in the event of a hurricane.

The 2009 theme - Run From the Water; Hide From the Wind – which meant that if you were asked to evacuate, you wouldn’t have to travel far. Just get out of the storm surge area and hunker down in a relative, friend, coworker or church member’s home who doesn’t have to evacuate.

Or the 2010 theme - The First 72 Are Up To You – which meant that after a natural or man-made disaster it is important for families to have the water, food, batteries and other essentials they will need to sustain themselves for at least three days. During this time, roads will be blocked by debris, utilities, such as power, water and sewer may be out, and local governments will be working hard to establish these essential services.

By residents being prepared, our community will recover quicker after a storm.

While our local emergency responders are ready for any disaster we face, they still look to you, our residents, to help. So, think sunshine, and we look forward to seeing you next May at the 2011 Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo as we all continue to prepare for hurricane season.

Thomas Forward
Chief, Tampa Fire Rescue
City of Tampa Emergency Manager
Hurricane Expo Committee Co-Chair

Jeff Copeland
Interim Director
Hillsborough County Emergency Management
Hurricane Expo Committee Co-Chair