WFLA's Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli on "Lunchtime Conversations"
Season 1, Episode 7594, May 29, 10:58 PM
RadioStPete.comINSIDER news director Nanette Wiser worries about storms, so she checked in with Jeff Berardelli for some facts, predictions and perspectives. Jeff Berardelli is WFLA’s chief meteorologist and climate specialist, and his team is our go-to posse for storm and weather insights and prep. Jeff has been named the top local TV meteorologist in the country by international media group Broadcasting + Cable. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Cornell University in the 1990s. Recently, after witnessing the spike in extreme weather, he went back to school earning a master’s degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University. Berardelli has led the Max Defender 8 weather team since January 2022. However, he’s no stranger to Florida – or to the Tampa Bay area. He previously worked as a meteorologist in Tampa (1997-2003) and in West Palm Beach and Miami. Before joining WFLA, Berardelli was a meteorologist at CBS News in New York. Despite being away from Florida, he still covered the state’s severe weather by reporting on and leading coverage of 2018’s Hurricane Michael, 2019’s Hurricane Dorian and the record-breaking 2020 hurricane season. “This season 2024 will be the worst in a long time; the Gulf and Atlantic are already hot and the conditions are ripe for big hurricanes. You need to prepare now.” The annual hurricane season starts June 1, and Channel 8 will air their special Saturday at 7pm.
How can we get ready for this hurricane season? Berardelli says preparation is key, both for his team and Tampa Bay residents. News Channel 8 uses an immense set of data, technology, and tools to forecast hurricane tracks and having an experienced team with knowledge of Florida’s storm history is important. And if power at home goes out, you can hear updates online and with iHeart radio stations including Newsradio WFLA and Country 103.5. https://www.wfla.com/ https://www.wfla.com/weather/
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Pinellas County Emergency Management shares three key steps for a safer hurricane season (1) Know your risk Pinellas County orders evacuations to protect residents who are at risk from storm surge, who live in a mobile home or who are dependent on electricity for medical needs. To learn more about evacuations and to look up your evacuation zone disaster.pinellas.gov
(2) Make a plan Keep your family safe and save money by creating or updating your hurricane kit now. The 2024 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs from June 1-14. Qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax. Items include batteries, flashlights, tarps, bungee cords, gas containers and more. Find a list of qualifying items at floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep
- To help you plan, the 2024 Pinellas County Hurricane Guide is available online and at Pinellas County libraries, municipal buildings and Pinellas County offices.
- Residents of all ages who have medical needs or require transportation assistance may be eligible for the Special Needs Evacuation Program. Learn more and register at pinellas.gov/SpecialNeeds or call (727) 464-3800.
- Sandbags may help against flooding of up to 15 inches from rain or tides but will not protect your home from high water or storm surge. Residents of unincorporated Pinellas County can pick up sandbags at 2855 109th Ave N., St. Petersburg, Tuesday through Friday and every first and third Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (limit 10 sandbags per household). Municipal residents should check with their city government for availability. Learn more at: pinellas.gov/sandbags
- Pinellas County is the second-largest boating community in Florida with nearly 54,000 registered boats. This presents a great risk during storms and hurricanes. Learn how to secure your boat at: pinellas.gov/BoatPrep
(3) Stay informed Use trusted sources of local news for timely, consistent and reliable information. Listen to, follow and like Pinellas County Government (Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov and @PinellasEM); your favorite local news station; and the Tampa Bay National Weather Service forecast office on social media.
- Sign up for Alert Pinellas to receive timely notifications.
- Download the new Ready Pinellas app in the App Store or Google Play.
- Own and maintain a NOAA weather radio – battery operated or hand crank.
Hurricane Preparedness Expo – Saturday, June 1 Pinellas County and Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue will host a free Pinellas County Hurricane Preparedness Day expo on Saturday, June 1, to provide residents with hurricane season information and resources. The family-friendly event will run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Tarpon Springs Public Safety Facility, 444 S. Huey Ave., Tarpon Springs. For more information on emergency planning as well as real-time updates during emergencies, visit disaster.pinellas.gov.