The Wave

Hurricane season lasts through Nov. 30, and peak season is mid-August through mid-October. Now is the time to prepare your home, stock your preparedness kit and finalize any emergency plans for your household and family. 

Stay informed by signing up for Alert Pinellas and downloading the Ready Pinellas app to receive emergency alerts. Monitor local news and the National Weather Service for the latest forecasts.


To ensure staff and partners are also prepared for hurricane season, Pinellas County recently simulated preparation and response to a Category 3 hurricane. About 400 representatives from agencies across Pinellas County, plus state and federal partners, participated in the exercise virtually and in person at the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center in Largo.
 

For more information on how you can be prepared, visit disaster.pinellas.gov. 

Flood mitigation options

As you prepare your property and family for peak hurricane season, consider barriers other than sandbags to prevent water intrusion in the event of flooding or storm surge.

Sandbags are only recommended for flooding of less than 15 inches from rain or tides and will not protect against waves and storm surge associated with larger storms.

Other types of flood barrier products include water diversion barriers, aluminum panel systems, and water-filled tubes. These items can help divert water away from the home or be installed to help prevent intrusion. Decide what product or combination of products will work best for your home and budget.

Remember: Storm surge is life-threatening. The only way to protect yourself from surge is to evacuate if ordered to do so.

To look up your evacuation zone and learn more about how to prepare your property for hurricane season, visit disaster.pinellas.gov and download the Ready Pinellas app. 

If a portable fuel generator is part of your hurricane plan, make sure you know how to use it safely.

Before starting, move the generator outside and away from doors, windows and vents. Fuel generators produce carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly. When you start the generator, let it warm up before plugging anything in.

Remember: Never refuel a generator when it is hot. Turn off, let it cool, then refuel. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

“I’m 71 years old, and this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole entire life,” said Richard Brill, the first homeowner to have his mobile home completely replaced by the Pinellas Recovers program. 

News Channel 8 covered the ribbon cutting for Richard’s new hurricane wind resistant home – see the full story.

Brill is just one of more than 800 individuals and families who have been approved for assistance through the program to date.

Free battery drop-off locations are available throughout Pinellas County, including stores like Home Depot and Lowe's. Learn how and where to safely dispose of batteries at Pinellas.gov/batteries.

In our last newsletter, we introduced you to Lady, our longest-resident shelter dog, who had been waiting patiently for a family to call her own. We're thrilled to share that after 275 days at Pinellas County Animal Services, Lady has officially been adopted!

If you’re interested in adopting, visit Pinellas County Animal Services and ask about our long-term residents or visit pinellas.gov/dogs


They can’t wait to meet you!

Consumer Alert:

The County has been made aware of a phone scammer posing as an Animal Control Officer. The scammer tells the victim their pet is in surgery that must be paid for immediately over the phone. The caller ID may be spoofed to look like an official County phone number.


Scams like this use deceptive tactics like aggressive and threatening language to pressure individuals to provide sensitive information. If you receive a call like this, hang up and contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at (727)-582-6200 to make a report.


Learn how to spot and avoid impostor scams by visiting pinellas.gov/imposter-scam. 

We offer competitive pay, with salaries starting at $18/hour and above. Our benefits package, ranked among the top in the area, includes medical coverage starting at $13.09 per paycheck, participation in the Florida Retirement System, leave time starting at 15 days annual/sick leave in the first year, a wellness program, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement and more.

This month’s featured jobs include:

• Building Inspector 1 or 2
• Plans Inspector 1 or 2

Learn more about what we offer and apply today at pinellas.gov/careers.