Pasco County Disaster Preparedness Expo Returns to Shady Hills With Denis Phillips Ahead of Hurricane Season
- May 5
- 2 min read
With the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season just around the corner, Pasco County Emergency Management hosted its annual Disaster Preparedness Expo on Saturday, May 2, at Pasco Safety Town in Shady Hills.
Free Event Open to All Pasco Residents
The free, public expo ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and was open to residents from communities across the county, including Wesley Chapel, Land O'Lakes, Hudson, and Zephyrhills. The event was designed to equip households with the tools and knowledge needed to handle a range of emergencies — from tropical storms and flooding to wildfires and extended power outages.
Denis Phillips Headlines the Weather Panel
One of the day's featured segments was a severe weather panel discussion led by Denis Phillips, Chief Meteorologist at Tampa Bay 28. Phillips is widely recognized throughout the Tampa Bay region for his clear, straightforward hurricane coverage, and his appearance drew significant interest from attendees focused on understanding what the approaching storm season may bring.
What Attendees Could Do and Learn
Visitors had the opportunity to map out evacuation routes specific to their area of the county, register for the Special Needs registry — which helps coordinate assistance for residents who may require extra support during an evacuation — and pick up copies of the 2026 Pasco County Disaster Preparedness Guide. Families with children were also accommodated, with a touch-a-truck display and kid-friendly kit-building activities on site. Food trucks were available throughout the day.
More Than Just Hurricane Prep
County officials noted that while hurricane preparedness tends to dominate spring preparedness conversations, the expo also addressed broader emergency scenarios including brush fires and severe weather events that pose risks across the region year-round. Pasco County's geography — stretching from the Gulf Coast to inland communities along U.S. 301 — puts residents in the path of multiple hazard types, and officials emphasized that planning is relevant for every part of the county.
Missed the Expo? Resources Are Still Available
Pasco Safety Town is located at 15362 Alric Pottberg Rd. in Shady Hills, just off U.S. 41. For Wesley Chapel residents who were unable to attend, Pasco County Emergency Management maintains year-round preparedness resources on its official website, and the 2026 Disaster Preparedness Guide is available through county offices.
