Pasco County is set to experience the impacts of Hurricane Milton, and we wanted to remind you that we are here to support you and your business. Being prepared before a crisis is essential. Please take a moment to review key details below regarding evacuation orders, shelters, sandbag stations, and more.
If you’ve already sustained damage from Hurricane Helene, it’s crucial to document everything with photos and videos. For assistance from insurance, FEMA, or other post-Milton resources, you’ll need to file a new claim for any additional damages. Be sure to distinguish between old and new damage.
EVACUATION ORDERS Mandatory evacuations are NOW IN EFFECT for the following areas in Pasco County:
- Evacuation Zones A and B
- All residents living in manufactured homes, mobile homes, or RVs in Pasco County
- Anyone in low-lying or flood-prone areas
- Residents in areas deemed hazardous by local authorities due to life-threatening conditions
Voluntary evacuations are NOW IN EFFECT for:
- Evacuation Zone C
- Individuals registered as Special Needs Residents in Pasco County
- Anyone vulnerable to a power outage
Know Your Zone and Map Evacuation Routes:
Use the provided tool to determine your home’s or business’s evacuation zone. TOOL FOUND HERE
AVAILABLE SHELTERS If you need to evacuate but cannot stay with family or friends, Pasco County will open shelters today at 12 p.m. All shelters will accept family pets.
Shelters opening on Monday, October 7, at 12 p.m.:
- Centennial Middle School: 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City
- Fivay High School: 12115 Chicago Avenue, Hudson
- River Ridge Middle and High Schools: 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
- Wesley Chapel High School: 30651 Wells Avenue, Wesley Chapel
Special Needs Only Shelter:
- Fasano Regional Hurricane Center: 11611 Denton Avenue, Hudson
RIDES TO SHELTERS
- Pasco County Public Transportation buses will run their regular routes and offer free rides to Pasco shelters starting at 12 p.m. Monday until conditions become unsafe.
- If you need transportation, call customer service at 727-847-2411 to schedule a ride.
- UBER is offering free rides to shelters using the code PASCOSTRONG.
SANDBAG LOCATIONS Open 24/7 (Available to All Pasco County Residents):
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
- Pasco Public Works C-Barn: 30908 Warder Rd., San Antonio
Open from Sunrise to Sunset Until Further Notice:
- Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
- Pasco Fire Rescue Station #29: 6907 Dairy Rd., Zephyrhills
For DADE CITY Residents:
- Former Dade City Police Department Building: 38042 Pasco Avenue, Dade City
For NEW PORT RICHEY Residents (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.):
- Fleet Warehouse: 6420 Pine Hill Rd., New Port Richey
⚠️ Stay updated on sandbag locations by checking Pasco County’s social media channels.
TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS
How to Safeguard Your Facilities:
- Ensure you know the address of every business location, including storage areas.
- Have an evacuation plan in place for each facility.
- Use sandbags to block water from entering buildings (locations are listed above).
- Identify high-risk facilities that may be more vulnerable to storm damage.
For Your Employees:
- Keep track of employee locations and establish the best way to reach them.
- Implement a mass notification system to contact employees quickly.
Protecting Business Assets:
- Track the location of valuable assets like equipment, supplies, products, networks, and data.
- Secure or elevate assets, such as equipment and stock, above ground level.
- Ensure you have a plan for protecting important business documents and inventory from water damage.
Develop an Emergency Plan:
- Have a plan that allows operations to continue with a flexible workforce in different locations.
- Back up critical data offsite, and consider using cloud-based solutions for payroll, CRM, and HR systems.
Create an Emergency Response Team:
- Assign roles and responsibilities to team members and communicate the plan to all employees, answering any questions they may have.
Keep Employees and Customers Informed:
- Use social media, website updates, and phone calls to communicate with employees and customers.
- Update your business voicemail system with any important information.
Post-Disaster Resources:
- Prepare a list of resources you might need to re-open your business or secure emergency funding for property repairs.
Other Useful Resources:
- Pasco County Emergency Management
- Disastersafety.org
- Floridadisaster.org
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Disasterassistance.gov