New hurricane generator will be available in Pinellas

   Pinellas County officials said today a powerful new generator has been installed at Dunedin Highlands Middle School, which is designated as a special needs shelter in case of hurricanes. The new generator can provide enough power for the whole school building and can run the air conditioning system. Previously, the generator only provided enough power for lights, fans and a few other uses. And that's still the situation at the two other special needs shelters in Pinellas County, which are at Johns Hopkins Middle School in St. Petersburg and Oak Grove Middle School in Clearwater.

Special needs shelters are for disabled or elderly residents who need extra help with daily tasks. Pinellas residents who think they might need to use such a shelter in case of hurricanes are encouraged to pre-register by calling 464-3800 or visit the county Web site.

The announcement about the generator came during the county's annual emergency management "media day," designed to remind people that the 6-month hurricane season begins on Sunday. Emergency Management Director Sally Bishop urged residents to learn if they live in an evacuation zone and to plan for what they would do if a hurricane hits.

Tampabay.com Hurricane Guide:  Find resources, tips and evacuation maps.

-- Curtis Krueger, Times Staff Writer