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Weather Emergency Information Sources
[Weather Sites] [Government Sites] [Preparation/Evacuation] [Recovery Hotlines] [Recovery Tips]
[When the Season is Over] [Information for Businesses] [PCLS Resident Information Center Blog]


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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  • If you need extensive repair or rebuilding:


When The Season is Over

  • What to do with all that plywood:

  • 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

    • 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

  • To Donate Toward Recovery:

  • Install Storm Shutters:

    • The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes offers a calculator to estimate costs of various kinds of window protection.


Especially for Businesses


Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Under Florida law, any information in your borrower record is confidential. E-mail addresses utilized to send library notices are part of the borrower record and are subject to confidentiality.

Copyright © 2003-2009 Pasco County Library Cooperative.

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