Mobile Homes Are Not Safe Havens!
While mobile and manufactured homes are great places to call home, they are NEVER good shelters during a hurricane. Mobile and manufactured homes can be severely damaged from the hurricane-force winds and flying debris. This was proved true again during the storms of 2004 and 2005 when homes built after 1994, to the tougher standards, sustained damage when they were flipped off their foundations or damaged by flying debris. No matter the category of storm, whenever an evacuation order is given, all mobile and manufactured home residents must evacuate. Mobile and manufactured home residents need to have an evacuation plan in case a hurricane threatens. One word of caution – most mobile home park recreation centers are not rated to withstand high winds, either. Ask your park’s management what plans – if any – are in place for sheltering options and for evacuation notification.

Why Evacuating Is The Only Safe Option

• No mobile/manufactured home – no matter how new it is – can be a safe shelter from hurricane-force winds.
• Often tornadoes spin out from hurricane-type weather. Mobile/manufactured homes offer poor resistance to a tornado’s winds.
• Even hurricane straps or other tie-downs will not protect a mobile home from the wind gusts associated with a tornado or hurricane.

Planning Ahead Is Crucial.

Good practices for you are the same as the ones for people living in other types of homes; a few are designed for you with a sense of urgency in mind.

• Know you will be told to leave and decide where you will go if an evacuation is ordered.
• Try to stay with friends and relatives or register with a host home program.
• Have a mobile home contractor install tie-downs or straps on your mobile home. Make sure they’re anchored securely to the foundation.
• Take all important papers with you or keep them at a location other than your mobile home when evacuating.
• If you are planning to go to a shelter, pack medications and any special dietary items you may need
• If you are a special needs patient who requires assistance to evacuate, make sure you are registered with your local fire department ahead of time. (See Special Needs)

Pet-Friendly Shelters

• As a mobile/manufactured home resident, you are given first priority. Call (727) 582-2150 or download a registration form here  or at ww.pinellascounty.org/animalservices and return it to:
  Pinellas County Animal Services
  12450 Ulmerton Road
  Largo, FL 33774
  Fax (727) 582-2637
  Put together a special pet kit that includes evidence of vaccinations, food, identification, medications, bowls, and favorite toys and blankets. (See Pet Preparedness) Space is very limited but many may still be available. Please do not wait, register now!
• Take all-important papers with you or keep them at a location other than your mobile home when you are asked to evacuate.
• If you are planning to go to a shelter, pack medications and any special dietary items you may need. You might also want to pack games or books to pass the time and a chair or cot and bedding. These are not provided at county shelters so plan ahead to make yourself and your family as comfortable as possible.
• If you are a special needs patient who requires assistance to evacuate, make sure you are registered with your local fire department ahead of time. (See Special Needs)
• Always monitor the media for announcements of evacuations and any open shelters.