What to do with boats, EVs and other preparedness steps ahead of Hurricane Helene

What to do with boats, EVs and other preparedness steps ahead of Hurricane Helene

As Hurricane Helene strengthens today in the Gulf of Mexico, residents should take additional steps to keep themselves, their neighbors and their property safe.

Whether evacuating from Zone A and mobile homes or staying put in a safe place, residents should make final preparations before storm impacts beginning Thursday morning.

Electric vehicles & golf carts

• Make sure your electric vehicle (EV) is fully charged in anticipation of power outages.
• If you expect flooding from storm surge or rain, move your EV to high ground. It is unsafe to leave it inside the garage and in areas where there is storm surge. EVs have sealed battery packs, but if water breaches the seal, it could damage the battery cells and cause a fire.

Avoid driving through saltwater. Saltwater intrusion can cause EVs to catch fire, which can not only destroy the vehicle, but also put your home or nearby structures in jeopardy. This advice also applies to golf carts and other battery-powered vehicles, such as e-bikes.

Boat owners

• Do not attempt to ride out the storm on a boat. Extremely dangerous marine conditions are expected.
• Take your boat out of the water if possible. Strap it securely to your trailer and move it away from areas that could flood. Use wheel chocks or blocks to prevent rolling.
• Secure your boat with heavy nylon lines to fixed objects. If possible, find a location that will allow you to secure it from all four sides. It can be tied to screw anchors. Do not secure your boat to a tree.
• If you plan for a local marina to lift your boat out of the water and secure it, do so immediately. Tropical force winds and storm surge are expected to arrive early Thursday.
• If you are unable to take your boat out of the water, secure it in a protected and stable location. Ask your local harbormaster or marina operator if you are not sure where to go. Keep in mind that docks can be damaged during a hurricane.
• If secured between two docks, run crossing spring lines, each from one end of the boat in the opposite direction on the dock. Attach lines high on pilings, using long lines to allow for storm surge and high tides.
• Tie down everything you can't remove, including tillers, wheels and booms.
• If you have a paddle craft on your boat, write your name and phone number on it in permanent marker in case it gets loose. This will prevent unnecessary search operations.
• Turn off all devices using electricity except bilge pumps.

General home preparedness

• If you are evacuating, turn off your power and/or breakers before leaving. Shut all doors, lower antennas, elevate belongings and shutter windows and doors if possible.
• Take photos inside and outside your home to document belongings in case you need to file an insurance claim after the storm.
• Whether you are going or staying, walk around the exterior of your home and secure or bring in any items that you can move. This includes patio furniture, planters, portable basketball goals, tools and toys. Take down and store flags and other decorative items. Clear balconies, steps and porches.
• Locate all important documents and store them in a safe and dry place.
• For detailed information on critical supplies for riding out the storm in a safe place outside the evacuation zone or what you need to bring to a shelter, visit disaster.pinellas.gov/.
• Monitor local news media, National Weather Service, disaster.pinellas.gov, Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov, search hashtag #PCHelene Check for updates at least every 6-12 hours as storm forecasts and guidance can change quickly.
• Register for emergency alerts at disaster.pinellas.gov, and download the Ready Pinellas app in the App Store or Google Play store for real-time storm updates.