Update: Irene Now a Hurricane

If you haven't already prepared your hurricane supply kit, today might be a good day to gather needed supplies.

Tropical Storm Irene has been upgraded to Hurricane Irene as of this morning and is still tracking toward Florida, according to weather.com.

Due to the uncertainty of the storm's future intensity and track, the threat level for the western Caribbean, Bahamas, and southeast U.S. is moderate. Weather.com says this threat level will likely change as forecast confidence increases both in the track and intensity.

Weather.com says the steering pattern is favorable for Irene to track toward the southeast United States after moving through the Caribbean.

The timing for possible U.S. impacts are possibly as soon as Thursday night in South Florida, Friday over the rest of the Florida peninsula and points north (Georgia, South Carolina), possibly lingering into Saturday.

Stay tuned to The Weather Channel and weather.com for the latest updates on this situation.

In the meantime, residents should have a hurricane kit prepared, according to Valrico resident and chief of administration for Hillsborough County Emergency Management Scott Dunlap.

"Tropical weather is our biggest threat," said Dunlap. "We are the most vulnerable state because of the way we jut out into the ocean and the fact that we have flat topography."

Each year, there's an average of 10 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes, said Dunlap. This year, however, due to climate changes, forecasters are predicting 16 named storms and nine hurricanes, five of which will be a category 3 or higher.

Dunlap said residents should assume the worst and be prepared.

Even near hits have resulted in massive damage and death, he said. Hurricane Elena in 1985 only came within 80 miles of Tampa Bay but resulted in four deaths.

"The government can't do a better job of preparing for your family than you can," he said at a seminar at St. Stephen Catholic Church. "Luckily, with hurricanes, we have warning. We have time to prepare. The first five things residents should do to prepare for a hurricane is to assemble a disaster supply kit, check their insurance, secure their homes and arrange for shelter.

Before a hurricane threatens, decide whether you need to evacuate or if you can be a host home for evacuees. The Hillsborough County Hurricane Guide contains a map that allows you to determine if you're in an evacuation zone. While Bloomingdale, Lithia and Valrico are outside the evacuation zone, according to the map, residents living along the Alafia River west of John Moore Road should check the map.

When a hurricane threatens, residents need to assemble the following supplies:

• Two weeks' worth of medications
• A portable radio with spare batteries
• Enough water for each person to have one gallon per day for at least three days. (Don't forget the dog)
• Nonperishable foods including pop-top canned soups, meats, crackers, bread and peanut butter
• A nonelectric can opener
• Important papers and photos in plastic bags
• Toilet tissue
• A land-line phone
• Flashlights with spare batteries
• A first aid kit
• Two coolers for ice
• Heavy-duty trash bags
• A camera for before and after photos
• Mosquito repellant
• A fire extinguisher
• A plastic tarp for immediate roof repairs
• A garbage can
• Cleanup supplies
• Two bags of kitty litter
• Baby wipes for cleaning without water

The trash bags and kitty litter will become a makeshift toilet when no water is available, said Dunlap. You put the trash bag in the toilet and fill it with kitty litter.

• Residents should also fill their cars with gas
• Obtain at least $1,000 in cash in different denominations
• Begin making ice as soon as a storm threatens. When the electricity goes out, placing a bag of ice in the refrigerator will keep the refrigerator cool
• Purchase a charcoal grill, charcoal and wooden matches or fill the gas tank for a gas grill
• Fill bathtubs with water
• Isolate your hot-water tank to use as a potable water source
• Then double check all of supplies
• Dunlap also invested in a generator. Albert noted that a small generator will run an air-conditioning unit when the electricity goes out.
• You might also want to invest in a battery-powered fan, said Dunlap.
• Also plan for phone lines to be down and choose one person outside the hurricane zone to communicate.

For those in an evacuation zone, he advises finding a friend or relative with a home outside the evacuation zone to stay with. Or rent a hotel room. Go to a hurricane shelter as a lost resort because it may be crowded and will lack the comforts of home.

He said evacuees should take:

• Important papers, photographs and keepsakes
• Valuables
• The contents of their refrigerators
• Their hurricane supply kit
• Pillows and blankets
• Personal hygiene items
• Water
• Fix a flat
• Don't forget dog food
• Identification so you can get back to your home after the storm

People with special needs, those who are dependent on electricity, dialysis and oxygen, should call now to register for a special-needs shelter (813-272-5900). Before the storm strikes, they will be picked up and transported to the nearest special-needs shelter, either The Regent or Riverview High School, Dunlap said.