When fury strikes

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Andrew roared into South Florida as a category 5 storm. Its toll: 15 deaths directly from the hurricane, $30 billion in property damage, 250,000 left homeless, 82,000 businesses left damaged or destroyed. The stories below reflect on the changes that came out of this catastrophic event. We also wanted to take this time to remind you about Hurricane Charley, a storm that had been predicted to come ashore in Tampa Bay as a category 2 in 2004. Instead, it took a hard turn right and slammed into Punta Gorda as a Category 4 storm. The devastating storm caused 10 deaths in the United States and $14 billion in losses. Many in that area were caught unprepared, thinking the storm was going to hit Tampa Bay. And what if it had? Would you have been prepared?

Andrew 20 years later:

• Emergency managers found lessons in devastation from Hurricane Andrew
• Remember what Hurricane Andrew taught us
• Statewide effort helps Florida prepare for hurricanes
• Hurricane Andrew disaster brought statewide system of building codes
• Scars from Hurricane Andrew still haunt Florida's property insurance market 20 years later

Hurricane 2012 primer

• Great gadgets to help you through the storm
• 2012 Hurricane season names
• Science of predicting intensity still uncertain
• Hurricane forecasters, emergency officials using Facebook, Twitter and other social media
• Let hurricane experts determine whether an INVEST is a threat
• Sorting through all those 'spaghetti' plots
• Q&A: Tropical terminology you need to know
• Storm surge a bigger threat than tsunami

Stay connected

• 2012 season coverage
• Live tracking map

A history lesson

• Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
  Tampa Bay hasn't had a direct hit from a hurricane in 91 years. So why do emergency planners worry so much? Because we haven't been hit in 91 years.
• 1921 hurricane would be catastrophic if it happened today
• Animation: What that storm would do to us now

Your hurricane evacuation zone

• North Pinellas | South Pinellas | Hillsborough
• Pasco | Citrus | Hernando

Get ready now

• Be prepared: An exit strategy is vital | Some common myths | Interactive: Preparing your house
• Supplies: Building the perfect hurricane kit | Give your pantry a storm makeover | Gadgets story
• Are you covered? Hurricane insurance questions answered
• Generators: How to choose a generator | Illustration: Standby generators
• Windows and doors: Give them the hurricane-proof treatment | Prep plywood in advance | Garage doors: A home's weakest link | Illustration: Shutters
• Your car: A pre-storm tune up
• Protecting your boat: Secure it or find a safe harbor | Interactive: Safe harbor
• Staying at home? Plan to stay safe
• Condos: What are the legal implications of a catastrophe?
• Special needs? Plan early for relatives with special needs | Registration is a must
• Business owners: How to stay afloat

As the storm approaches

• Get busy: Prescriptions, furniture, cash and more | Stock up on items you'll need to prepare, repair
• Have a Plan B: Don't rely on shelters during storms
• Don't forget these: Get documents in order before you evacuate

After it passes

• Cleanup: Chainsaw safety starts with you | Illustration: Rescuing your trees
• Flood damage 101
• Hiring help: Tips on choosing a roofing contractor
• Don't count on toilets: When nature calls
• Food safety: When in doubt, throw it out

Hurricane preparedness for 2012 Florida hurricane season

The Tampa Bay Times presents a one stop news and information resource space to get Tampa Bay prepared for the 2012 Florida hurricane season.

Within this hurricane guide, you will find tips for ways to get organized before a storm hits, covering everything from hurricane insurance to exit strategies and ways to hurricane proof your home.

If a large tropical storm or hurricane lands in Tampa Bay, our hurricane preparedness resource has answers to questions about everything from what to include in a disaster kit to what documents to take with you and what is needed for emergency shelter registration.

In the case of a storm, we also have info for staying connected with what is going on related to a natural disaster via Twitter and other social media resources that quickly become necessary for communication when disaster strikes.

Lastly, you will also find tips for disaster clean up after a major hurricane or storm has passed, such as dealing with flood damage and food safety.

We hope you find this resource helpful as you prepare for the 2012 Florida hurricane season.