Citrus, Pasco, and Hernando County residents should prepare NOW for Hurricane Idalia. State officials are projecting this storm to reach Category 4 strength with life-threatening wind, rain and storm surge. Please take time now to secure your property and ensure you are stocked up with critical supplies!

Stay Informed

Remember to check with the National Hurricane Center for updates on the storm:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/174602.shtml?cone#contents

Get Your Home Ready

Even Tropical Storm force winds are capable of blowing around furniture and other items you may be keeping outside. Protect your and your neighbors' homes by securing or bringing in any loose items by Tuesday night.

Prepare An Emergency Kit

It’s important to have an emergency kit that you can easily take with you in case of an evacuation or a prolonged power outage. Essential emergency items include:

Nonperishable food and water
First aid kit
Flashlights
Battery operated Radio
Pet and baby supplies

For a full recommended list of supplies, please click here: https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/hurricane-supply-checklist/

Don’t forget that certain emergency items are sales tax-exempt until September 8th, so today is the perfect time to stock up. Click here for the full list of tax-exempt items:

Know Your Zone

It’s important to know if you reside in a flood zone in case of a mandatory evacuation. Please heed warnings from local officials. Flooding is the most dangerous threat of a severe storm.

Click here to view the flood zone map: https://floridadisaster.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=aa18a2d8737c4d66bb6434a09e17203a

School and Other Closures

Many schools and public buildings will be closed due to the storm. Click here to find out what will be closed in your county.

Today is the day to prepare for this storm. My office will provide updates and work to help residents secure access to emergency resources. Please reach out if you have any questions at all.

Sincerely,

Gus Bilirakis

Contributions to Bilirakis for Congress are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions from corporations, labor unions, federal contractors, and foreign nationals are prohibited. The maximum amount an individual may contribute is $3,300 per election. Your contribution (up to $3,300) will be designated for the primary election. The next $3,300 will be designated for the general election.