Hurricane season under way

ST. PETERSBURG -- 

On this first day of hurricane season, officials are urging residents to prepare for the worst. But some are worried that residents are not preparing at all.

It's been a while since the Bay area has been threatened by a hurricane.

In 2005, before Hurricane Wilma, shoppers crowded stores to stock up on batteries, plywood and other supplies.

"We had a line from the front of the store all the way to the back of the store," explained Home Depot Manager Gabino San Emeterio.

These days, the shelves are stocked, but the aisles are empty.

• If you missed Bay News 9's hurricane special, Storm Season 2011: 'Keeping You Safe' it will re-air Saturday at 7 p.m. 

San Emeterio said he's not getting any questions about hurricane supplies. However, lots of shoppers insist they're prepared.

"I have all kinds of batteries for hurricane season," said shopper Rosita Graham. "My sister is good at things like that."

The new interim Hillsborough County Emergency Management Director just hopes residents are telling the truth. Apathy is his biggest concern.

"Things like preparing your kits, putting your evacuation plan in place, knowing what you're going to do. All that stuff needs to be done now while the sun is shining, not when we're in the cone of a hurricane warning," said Hillsborough Emergency Management Director Jeff Copeland.

• Check out our hurricane center for shelters, evacuation maps, storm headlines, list of radio simulcast partners and more.
  

As for this hurricane season, Bay News 9's Weather Experts said it's hard to predict what the next few months will bring.

"You have to always consider this could be the year that you're hit," said Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay. "Usually, if a hurricane is headed to the Tampa Bay area, it's going to be poorly behaved by nature so it's going to be difficult to predict."

That's why experts say residents should have an evacuation plan and be prepared for anything.