Emergency Management

Learn more about shelter options, pet preparedness, special needs options, and more.

Sandbag Information

If a storm is forecast to impact our area, we will announce the opening of sandbag locations at that time.
*Please note that sandbags will not completely prevent water from entering your home. They will not prevent or protect against surging water and waves associated with storms. Sandbags are one recommendation for residents to utilize if they expect tidal or flooding from rain less than 15 inches.*
Several sandbag alternatives include flood bags and barriers, flood gates, and water-activated dams. Most of these are reusable. They are available at most home improvement stores and may offer more protection than sandbags. During a normal sandbag emergency event, 10 sandbags are allotted per household. Ten sandbags will protect one doorway to a height of approximately 15 inches.

You need to know as a Tarpon Springs Resident, It's time to prepare, and below are some tools you can use to help make a plan!

Know your Evacuation Zone
Have your Emergency Plan to go for the whole family, including adults, children, people with special needs, and pets. Make a Plan - Pinellas County
Having your emergency kit ready
Special Needs may require specific equipment that requires electricity, be sure to have a plan for a backup source or location that does in the event there are evacuation orders
Prepare your children. Involve them in the planning, and be sure to have items for children to keep them busy and give them comfort, such as favorite toys and snacks.
Pets are required to be up to date on vaccinations, and their County License will need to be valid to be accepted in shelters that accept pets when evacuation orders are mandated (be sure to take a photo and keep that along with their vaccination records with your important documentation).
Prepare your home, yard, and businesses.
Visitors should be aware before making plans that popular coastal/beach communities such as ours are prone to storm surge and are the first to evacuate if a hurricane threatens, and to be prepared with a backup plan for that.
- Visit the Current Beach Conditions Page
- Visit the Pie International Website

Pinellas County Emergency Management (ongoing updates in the case of a large-scale emergency)
Check for Emergency Information
Pinellas County Emergency Information (various resources for Emergency Management events, social media, apps, etc)
Sign up for Alert Pinellas (receive messages about emergencies and other important community news)
Download the Ready Pinellas App (a mobile app residents can download to receive messages to help prepare in the event of an emergency)
- Visit the Ready Pinellas App link
- Visit the Ready Pinellas FL App link
National Hurricane Center
Public Works/Streets and Storm Water
Public Works/Solid Waste, Recycling, and Yard Waste