Hurricane Irma's projected path is still not clear, but state leaders are urging Floridians to prepare for the worst.
Some events around the Tampa Bay area have already been cancelled and county leaders are providing sandbags for residents who want them.
Here's a list of closings and other need-to-know information as Hurricane Irma approaches:
CLOSURES
Gov. Rick Scott directed state offices to be closed in all 67 Florida counties this Friday to prepare for the storm. Before Friday, state office closures will be dictated by what individual counties do. Scott also asked state employees to volunteer in support of Florida's emergency shelter mobilization efforts.
CANCELLATIONS
The Tampa Boat Show, which was scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed until Oct. 13-15. For more information, visit www.tampaboatshow.com/.
The Bay Pines VA Health Care System ceremony, POW/MIA Remembrances , originally scheduled for September 12, has been postponed due to Hurricane Irma. Contact the Bay Pines VA Public Affairs at 727-398-9531 or email vhabaypublicaffairs@va.gov.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday game against the Miami Dolphins will not be played in Miami. The National Football League is examining other options.
The Pinellas County Mobile Collection event planned for this Saturday, September 9, at the SPC Allstate Center, 3200 34th St. S., has been cancelled.
USF Sarasota-Manatee is canceling its upcoming “What now, Cuba?” seminar, which had been scheduled for next Monday, September 11. Tickets will be fully refunded automatically.
NO TOLLS
Gov. Rick Scott ordered the Florida Department of Transportation to suspend tolls across the entire state.
SCHOOLS
The Sarasota County School District has cancelled all after-school activities on Friday with the exception of after-school care. Games will be rescheduled.
The Manatee County School District has moved all Friday games to Thursday evening.
Hillsborough County Public Schools officials will make a decision on possible school closures by the end of the day Wednesday.
SANDBAGS
Pasco County
For more information, visit www.pascoemergencymanagement.com. Earlier Tuesday, the county opened sandbag operations for 24 hours, but shortly after 9 p.m., they sent out an email announcing overwhelming demand has reduced their sand supply.
They said more sand has been order and will be delivered to their sites Wednesday morning beginning at 8 a.m.
- West Pasco Government Center, 7356 State Street, New Port Richey
- Mitchell Park, 4825 Little Road, New Port Richey
- Fire Station #17, 2951 Seven Springs Blvd, New Port Richey
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course Clubhouse, 7223 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey
- Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Rd, Hudson
- C-Barn, 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
- Dade City Police Dept., 38042 Pasco Ave., Dade City
- Land O' Lakes Rec Center, 3032 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes
- Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Rd, Wesley Chapel
- Zephyrhills Fire Station, 6907 Dairy Road, Zephyrhills
Pinellas County
The following locations are open during daylight hours:
- John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor
- Lealman Community Park, 3890 55th Ave. N., St. Petersburg
- Taylor Park, 1100 Eighth Ave. S.W., Largo
City of Tampa
Sandbags will be available to city residents at three locations daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Bobby Hicks Pool, 4201 West Mango Avenue
- Barksdale Active Adult Center @ MacFarlane Park, 1801 North Lincoln Avenue
- Jackson Heights Community Center, 3310 East Lake Avenue
Residents can follow updates at @CityofTampa and @AlertTampa on Twitter and can report flooding issues by calling (813) 274-3101.
City of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg will open three additional sandbag sites, bringing the total number of sandbag sites to six. They will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the next several days.
Self-serve sites:
- Lake Vista Recreation Center - 1401 62nd Avenue South
- Azalea Park-7200 16th Avenue North
- Main Library - 3745 9th Avenue North ( west Parking lot)
The following sites will be a combination full serve and self serve:
- Northeast Park - 875 62nd Avenue NE (Cardinal drive entrance to Mangrove Bay Golf Course)
- Bartlett Park - 2000 7th Street South (off 22nd Avenue South between 6th and 7th Street South)
- Northwest Pool Parking Lot - 2331 60th Street North
Please bring proof of residency. 10 sandbags per resident.
OTHER
St. Petersburg officials are urging residents to wash laundry and run dishwashers ahead of the approaching storm to avoid putting unneeded stress on the city’s beleaguered sewage system during periods of heavy rainfall.
