When you are living near the University of South Florida, chances are you will experience some stormy weather during the months of May through June. During this annual time range, it's common to experience heavy rain, strong winds, severe lightning, and thunderstorms. The weather near student apartments in Tampa can get dicey but if you are prepared for difficult weather, you will ensure that you are less unprepared for something unexpected.
One of the best ways to monitor weather conditions near USF apartments is to use a reliable weather forecast app or website that can give you details about humidity, predicted flood levels, wind mph, and thunderstorm updates. Some of the best ones that I've come across are The Weather Channel and AccuWeather which are free and easy to use on a phone or tablet.
Is it Safer to Stay Inside Your USF Apartment for the Day?
After monitoring the local weather forecast, you might decide that it's better not to leave your USF apartment after all. If there is a hurricane, tornado, or another severe storm involving heavy rainfall, the safest place for you to be is under or inside a strong structure or building that seems like it would hold up during a storm. Each type of storm is different, so familiarizing yourself with the most common types of storm procedures can ensure that you're ready when they come.
One of the best things to keep in apartments for USF freshmen is packs of AA or AAA batteries, a few packs of bottled water, non-perishable food that has a long shelf life and can be eaten without being cooked, a first aid kit, flashlights, clean towels, and tape. Regardless of if the power goes out at apartments near USF, windows shatter, or you need to eat and drink without power for a few days, having the items above will help you in any type of emergency.
Invest in Waterproof Clothing to Use at Apartments Near USF
When it's raining, your clothes are the first to get wet. The weather does not care if you have an interview or if you wanted to look more put together while attending classes at the University of South Florida. Mother nature will rain and storm on you regardless. To prevent getting your nice clothes wet or having wet hair while going to work or school, I suggest investing in a high-quality raincoat and rain boots. Rain boots are not completely necessary if you have a pair of shoes that you don't mind getting muddy or dirty.
Plan Transportation to and From USF Apartments Ahead of Time
One of the most stressful situations you can put yourself in is driving during a storm. When you have class and work obligations near USF apartments, it is hard to get out of them even if the weather is bad. If you don't feel comfortable driving yourself, you could always take the Bull Runner Shuttle to get to where you need to go. Either way, the weather is super unpredictable so if you are stuck driving in a storm or heavy rain, turn on your lights so others can see you, listen to the radio weather advisories, and drive slowly and cautiously.