A wide exterior photograph showing storm surge crashing over the seawall along Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida, during Hurricane Helene on September 26, 2024. Captured at a wide angle along the wet, paved pedestrian walkway, a large wave sprays white foam over the concrete balustrade onto the sidewalk. In the background across dark, choppy waters, high-rise residential buildings and construction cranes stand under a grey, overcast storm sky.Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida Sept. 26, 2024. Credit: Dave Decker / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

It’s true that forecasters agree Florida can now expect a “well below-normal” hurricane season (it lasts through Nov. 30). That shouldn’t keep you from being ready, especially since all it takes is one hurricane to upend your life (ask the New Yorkers who left after 2024, or the folks who stuck around and are still rebuilding, about that).

The City of Tampa is doing its part to prep residents this weekend by bringing together emergency management pros, public safety officials and community organizers who’ll help locals prep for storms, protect life during one, then recover when the weather clears. The event will cover all that, plus evacuation routes, planning and more.

There’s no cover for the City of Tampa’s Get Ready Stay Ready—Hurricane Preparedness Event happening Saturday, Aug. 29 Forest Hills Park Community Center.

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This article appears in August 20 – 26, 2026.

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Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief…
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