Get ready: Hurricane season 2013 begins

Get ready. Get Set. Go.

The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season is under way, and the time to prepare for what the tropics can throw at us is now.  For the next six months, Pinellas County residents and visitors will turn a wary eye to the Gulf of Mexico, wondering if this is the year that the bay area’s luck will run out.

This year, Pinellas County Emergency Management is advising residents to:

• Know your zone. Knowing your evacuation level is the first and most important step in preparing for hurricane season, and the Know Your Zone page has an entirely new look with advanced search features. The new site is also mobile friendly, making it easier than ever to find evacuation levels, nearby accommodations and risk shelters. The site can be found by visiting www.pinellascounty.org/emergency, and clicking the Know Your Zone button.

• Know your coverage. Understanding what insurance coverage you have – and knowing what it will cover – is an important step in preparing for the season. Residents should contact their agent or insurance company to get questions answered and to have an emergency contact number in the event of an emergency.

• Know the newest ally. Every year, Miss Florida serves as an ambassador for the beautiful beaches, abundant agriculture and exciting destinations in Florida. And, this year, Pinellas County, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management and Laura McKeeman, Miss Florida 2012, have teamed up to release a new series of public service announcements for both Pinellas County and the state. View these public service announcements on the PCC-TV YouTube channel at www. youtube.com/pcctv1.

Remember that hurricane season runs until Nov. 30, so residents are advised to take time during the more tranquil early season weather to make their preparations. Join Pinellas County EM on Twitter and visit www.pinellascounty.org/emergency to get tips on how to prepare to survive this year’s potential tropical weather threats.

For more information on Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.