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Current Pasco County Weather
Weather Sites
Government Sites
Preparation and Evacuation Information
Recovery Hotlines
Agency for Workforce Innovation Unemployment Claims Emergency:
1-800-204-2418 Agricultural and Consumer Services Price Gouging Hotline:
1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) Aloha Utilities:
(727) 372-0115 American Red Cross:
1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669) American Red Cross - West Pasco:
(727) 862-8685 American Red Cross Host Shelter Information:
1-877-741-1444 ext 212 Elder Affairs (senior information):
1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) FEMA Tele-Registration:
1-800-621-3362
TTY: 1-800-462-7585 Florida Dept. of Financial Services Ins. Claim Hotline (Insurance Questions):
1-800-22-STORM (1-800-227-8676) Florida Power and Light (outages):
1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) Forest Hills Utilities:
(727) 937-7457 Highway Information:
1-800-576-3886 or 511 Lindrick Service Corp.:
(727) 848-1165 New Port Richey Public Works Department:
(727) 841-4536 Pasco County Health Department (public health issues):
(727) 869-3900, ext. 163 Pasco County Citizens Services Hotline (to report flooding or damage):
(727) 847-8110 Pasco County Mosquito Control (mosquito problems):
(727) 376-4568 Pasco County Resident Information Center:
(727) 847-8959 Pasco County Utilities Services:
New Port Richey: (727) 847-8131
Dade City: (352) 521-4274, ext.8131 Poison Control Center:
1-800-222-1222 Port Richey Utilities Dept:
Business Hours: (727) 816-1900
After hours: (727) 816-1919 Progress Energy (outage):
1-800-228-8485 Salvation Army Donation Helpline (if you need food, water or other assistance):
1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) State of Florida Attorney General (report gouging):
1-800-646-0444 State of Florida Emergency Information 24-hour hotline (FEIL):
1-800-342-3557 State Volunteer and Donations Hotline:
1-800-FL-HELP1 (1-800-354-3571) Tampa Electric (outage):
(813) 223-0800
1-888-223-0800
Customers with life-threatening power situations, such as downed power lines, should call
the company's emergency line immediately at 1-877-503-6445.
United Way for Pasco Helpline (if you need food, water or other assistance):
West Pasco: (727) 845-4357
East Pasco: (877) 828-8929 Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative:
General Office, Dade City: (352) 567-5133
One Pasco Center District: (352) 588-5115
Eastern Hernando County (Southern Bell) to Dade City: (352) 596-3360
South Central Pasco County to Dade City: (813) 979-9732
Northwest Lakeland to Dade City: (863) 687-4396
West Hernando District: (352) 596-4000
Sumter County to West Hernando: (352) 793-7813
Bayonet Point District: (727) 868-9465
Central Pasco County to Bayonet Point (Verizon): (813) 972-9233
Central Pasco County to Bayonet Point (Southern Bell): (352) 596-3415 Zephyrhills Utilities:
(813) 780-0006
Recovery Tips
If you lost water pressure or lost water service: -
The local EOC or the utility company should let you know if you are on a "boil water notice"
through media outlets. If you can't get in contact with them, assume you are (better safe
than sorry!).
Hold water to a rolling boil for two minutes to remove bacteria. -
To disinfect water add 8 drops of plain, unscented household bleach per gallon for
water, mix, and let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes,
repeat the procedure.
Drink bottled water if possible. -
Be aware of your water usage: don't brush your teeth with water from the tap, don't give
your pets water from the tap, don't wash your hands with water from the tap, don't use ice
made from un-disinfected water, make sure dishes are washed in very hot water.
Don't allow your children or pets to play or walk in floodwater. Be careful not to get floodwater or un-disinfected water in a cut or open sore. -
After the discontinue boil water notice, flush the water out of your distribution lines.
Start with an outdoor faucet furthest from your meter and flush all outdoor faucets. Run
hot water through each indoor faucet until you notice a change in water temperature.
Remove the aerator before flushing kitchen and bathroom sink faucets. Run enough hot
water to flush the hot water heater.
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If you are on well-water, check
this site
for instructions.
If you lost electricity: -
Prevent heat exhaustion by drinking lots of cool, nonalcholic beverages; take a cool
shower or bath, wear lightweight clothing.
Symptons of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness,
dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting.
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If the temperature in your refrigerator was above 40 degrees, all food should be discarded as unsafe.
Do not use gas-powered generators indoors, not even in the garage. -
Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside the house, inside the garage, in a vehicle or
tent or fireplace.
-
Use battery-powered laterns and flashlights if possible. If you must use candles, put
them in safe holders away from curtains, paper, wood or other flammable items.
If your roof was damaged: -
Take photos and call your insurance company. They may want to inspect the damage before
repairs are made.
-
Secure the roof against further damage with a tarp or plywood. Be careful. Walking on the
roof can cause further damage.
See recommendations for roofing contractors from friends, neighbors, co-workers. Get several estimates. -
Look for a roofer who has been in the business for some time. Make sure they are experienced
with your type of roofing.
-
Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if
there is a record of complaints.
-
Make sure they are licensed in Florida. You can get this information at the
MyFlorida Licensing website.
-
Check out the model residential rebuilding contract designed to help homeowners who sustained
hurricane damage avoid unscrupulous contractors on the
Florida Home Builders Association website.
If your home was flooded: -
Get the air moving inside the house. If it is safe to do so, turn on your air conditioner,
even a fan will help.
-
Don't leave the doors and windows open. Chances are it is humid outside and you don't
need more humidity.
-
Check your insurance. Homeowners insurance does not cover damage from rising water; separate
flood coverage is requires. Visit the National Flood
Insurance Program for details.
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Don't cover wet items with plastic, they will mold. Dry them out throughly before wrapping
them in plastic.
-
Bleach and products like Kilz will cover mold, but won't kill it. Drywall and insulation
that was soaked will probably have to be removed.
-
When in doubt, get an expert. Look in the Yellow Pages under Water and Fire Damage
Restoration or search the Internet.
When The Season is Over
Storing Sandbags: -
You can store sandbags for a year or more if they are stored inside in a dry location. If
the bags have been in water, empty the sand, dry the bag and the sand throughly, and put
the sand back in the bags. Store inside in a dry location.
What to do with leftover canned goods and water: -
Contact the United Way at:
West Pasco: (727) 845-4357
East Pasco: (877) 828-8929
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Contact the Salvation Army at:
7745 Ridge Rd.
Port Richey, FL 34668
Phone: (727) 815-8539
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1050
Port Richey, FL 34673-1050
Especially for Businesses
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