MEDIA AVAILABILITY TODAY 11:30 A.M.
WHO: John Antapasis, TFR Emergency Coordinator
WHAT: Interview available on the coordination of our Emergency Response Crews in preparing for a weather event and the importance of ensuring you are prepared with a hurricane kit (Spanish-language interviews will be available as well)
DATE: Friday, June 3, 2022
TIME: 11:30 AM
LOCATION: Outside at Tampa Fire Rescue Station #1 (808 E Zack St, Tampa, FL 33602)
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR TO DISCUSS LATEST STORM TRACK
AND IMPORTANCE OF BEING PREPARED FOR MAJOR STORMS
** Please note the most up-to-date storm track updates will be provided at 11:30 AM **
The City of Tampa's Emergency Management teams continue to monitor Potential Tropical Cyclone One, which is currently located Near the Yucatan Peninsula and Southeastern Gulf of Mexico. As a precaution, the City of Tampa is activating it's Citizen Information Call Center and three sandbag distribution sites beginning today.
CITY OF TAMPA SANDBAG LOCATIONS
Himes Avenue Complex
4501 S. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33611
Al Barnes Park
2902 N. 32nd Street, Tampa, FL 33605
MacFarlane Park
1700 N MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607
Site between Maxwell and Renfrew
SANDBAG STATION ACTIVATION SCHEDULE
Friday, June 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The City of Tampa will have bags, sand and shovels available. There will also be volunteers available to help those who cannot fill their own sandbags.
CITIZEN INFORMATION CALL CENTER AVAILABLE
Additionally, the City of Tampa is activating its Citizen Information Center Hotline to help residents get prepared.
Citizen Information Center Hotline will open today at from 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 3 to answer questions and share preparedness information. The hotline can be reached at: 1-833-TPA-INFO (872-4636).
Call takers will be available to answer questions in both English and Spanish and assist residents with preparedness information related to sandbag distribution, finding their evacuation zone, shelter location(s), enrolling in AlertTampa, and more.
The City of Tampa is currently finalizing pre-storm mitigation, especially in low-lying spots that are prone to flooding. Additionally, the City of Tampa is staging road closure product as needed and readying post-storm cleanup areas of response.
City leaders are also working with Hillsborough County to check on homeless sheltering throughout the county.
GETTING PREPARED
"Weak systems like this are more difficult to model by the National Hurricane Center, but we will provide significant updates and potential impacts to the city provided to us at each of the National Hurricane Center updates that happen four times per day," said Emergency Coordinator John Antapasis with Tampa Fire Rescue. "Additionally, you can always view tropical weather forecast updates at www.Hurricanes.Gov."
"We cannot stress enough how important it is to be prepared for a major storm," said Chief Barbara Tripp with Tampa Fire Rescue. "We are urging all Tampa residents to review your evacuation zone and prepare a disaster kit for an evacuation or for a prolonged power outage. Additionally, make a plan to check on your elderly neighbors and family members to make sure they are prepared."
To stay informed about all major storms this year, make sure to sign-up to AlertTampa to receive emergency notifications directly from the City of Tampa. To register, visit Tampa.Gov/AlertTampa or text the word TampaReady to 888-777.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Vivian McIlrath
Public Information Officer
Tampa Fire Rescue
C: (813) 210-9911
Email: vivian.mcilrath@tampagov.net
Adam Smith
City of Tampa Marketing & Communications Director
c: 813-352-1795
adam.smith@tampagov.net