Hurricane Season 2016: Where to Find Local Information in Tampa Bay

The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially kicks off June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. This is the peak time of year for hazardous storms to develop that may threaten Florida's shores.

To help make sure Tampa Bay area residents are prepared for what might blow our way, here is a county-by-county breakdown of where to go for important hurricane information, including evacuation and shelter details:

Pasco County

The county’s Office of Emergency Management website offers a variety of resources for the storm season. Follow these links for specific information on:

• Evacuation zones
• Getting prepared
• Shelters

Pinellas County

The county has put together an extensive list of resources available to residents on its website. Residents can follow these links to access information on:

• Evacuation zones
• Creating disaster plans
• Shelters

Sarasota County

Residents will find the county’s emergency management website is the place to go for everything they need to know about surviving the season.

Follow these links for specific information on:

• Evacuation zones
• Shelter locations
• Getting Prepared

Manatee County

Manatee County Emergency Management office provides a wealth of information on its website. Follow these links for specific information on:

• Evacuation zones and route maps
• Shelters
• How to sign up for Code Red weather warnings

Hillsborough County

The county’s Office of Emergency Management website offers everything residents here need to know to weather a storm. Follow these links for information on:

• Evacuation zones
• Shelters
• Planning

Forecasters have mixed opinions about just how busy the 2016 hurricane season will be. Forecasters from North Carolina State believe an active season is headed our way. Meteorologists from Colorado State University, however, seem to think an average season is on tap.

While Colorado State says the hurricane season that lies ahead is likely to be “average,” forecasters still warn that precautions should be made in advance of June 1.

“Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active seasons for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted," Colorado State researchers noted in a report about their predictions.

Image courtesy of the National Weather Service Facebook page