Evacuations are taking place across the Tampa Bay area as Tropical Storm Helene is poised to enter the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.
Hillsborough
The county has issued a mandatory evacuation for Evacuation Zone A and for all mobile homes and manufactured housing within the county starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
The county has opened six shelters for residents in Evacuation Zone A, those whose homes are vulnerable to storm surge and flooding, and for manufactured homes that are susceptible to wind damage.
Residents there should be in a safe location no later than 5 a.m. on Thursday.The special-needs shelters are only for residents with medical issues that require electricity assistance or cognitive issues that would not be supported in a general population shelter.
Shelter locations:
- Burnett Middle School (pet friendly), 1010 N. Kingsway Rd., Seffner
- Durant High School (pet friendly), 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City
- Middleton High School (pet friendly), 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa
- Sickles High School (pet friendly), 7950 Gunn Hwy., Tampa
- Reddick Elementary School, 325 West Lake Dr., Wimauma
- Erwin Technical College (Special Needs only, pet friendly), 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
Hernando
Evacuations will begin Wednesday at 8 a.m. and applies to those who live in areas west of U.S. 19, which encompasses evacuation zones A, B, C.
Residents who live in low-lying coastal areas and in manufactured homes countywide are also being told to evacuate and seek shelter elsewhere.
If residents aren’t sure what zone they’re located in, they can call the citizen’s information line at 352-754-4083. The county’s website also has information on evacuation zones.
If you are needing the special needs shelter and have a pet, transportation from either your house or shelter location for your pet is done through Animal Control with Hernando County Sheriff's Office. Call 352-754-4083 to arrange pick-up.
Shelter location:
- West Hernando Middle School, 14325 Ken Austin Pkwy., Brooksville (special needs, general population and pet-friendly)
Pinellas
Pinellas County residents living in Zone A or any mobile home park must evacuate ahead of Helene.
Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins issued the mandatory order Wednesday morning. She says people shouldn't get complacent by seeing Pinellas outside Helene's direct path. The county expects to get 5-8 feet of storm surge.
But Perkins stressed it's only the most flood-prone areas that need to clear out.
“You don't have to evacuate hundreds of miles, you can only go tens of miles,” she said. “So again look for family and friends, look for hotel/motel or you can stay at one of our shelters.”
There are six emergency shelters open in the county including some that are pet friendly and accommodate residents with special needs.
The county's transit authority is offering free rides to shelters.
On Tuesday, the county ordered 26 hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Zone A to evacuate.
Meanwhile, evacuations for special needs registrants began at 9 a.m. Wednesday. These include folks who: need oxygen, require assistance with routine care and medications, require mobility assistance, depend on electricity, or require transportation assistance.
You have to be registered to participate.
Shelter locations:
- Dunedin Highland Middle: 70 Patricia Ave, Dunedin (special needs)
- Gibbs High: 850 34th St S, St. Petersburg (pet friendly)
- John Hopkins Middle: 701 16th St S, St. Petersburg (special needs)
- Largo High: 410 Missouri Ave, Largo (pet friendly)
- Lealman Innovation Academy: 4900 28th St N, Lealman
- Palm Harbor University High - Building 19: 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (special needs, pet friendly and general population)
- Palm Harbor University High - Main Building: 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (pet friendly)
Pasco
Pasco County is ordering mandatory evacuations, starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, for people living in Evacuation Zone A, everyone who lives in a manufactured home, mobile home, or RV anywhere in Pasco, and everyone in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding.
Voluntary evacuations will go into effect at 9 a.m. for people in Evacuation Zones B and C, everyone registered in the Pasco County Special Needs Program, and everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss.
Pasco County is also opening shelters Wednesday for anyone who needs to leave their home ahead of the storm and has nowhere else to stay.
Shelter locations:
- Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City
- Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Avenue, Hudson
- Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Boulevard, Wesley Chapel (special needs and general population)
- River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
- Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Boulevard, Land O' Lakes
- Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Avenue, Hudson (special needs)
Sarasota
Residents who live in coastal areas and evacuation zone A are being asked to leave Wednesday.
Evacuation orders for zone A in Sarasota County take effect Wednesday at 7 a.m.
The call to leave for higher ground also applies to those living in mobile and manufactured homes or anyone living on a boat.
Some neighborhoods not in zone A are also being asked to evacuate. Those are Forked Creek in Englewood, and Curry Creek and Hatchett Creek in Venice.
An estimated 4-7 feet of storm is expected, and Sarasota emergency management chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi says the high water could move 1-2 miles inland.
Shelter locations:
- Atwater Elementary School, 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port (general population and pet-friendly)
- Booker High School, 3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota (general population and pet-friendly)
- Brookside Middle School, 3636 South Shade Ave., Sarasota (general population and pet-friendly
- Fruitville Elementary School, 601 N. Honore Ave., Sarasota (general population and pet-friendly
- Gulf Gate Elementary School, 6500 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota (general population and pet-friendly)
- Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port (general population and pet-friendly)
- North Port High School, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port (general population and pet-friendly)
- Phillippi Shores Elementary, 4747 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (general population and pet-friendly)
- Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota (general population and pet-friendly)
- Southside Elementary School, 1901 Webber St., Sarasota (general population and pet-friendly)
- Taylor Ranch Elementary School, 2500 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice (general population and pet-friendly)
- Woodland Middle School, 2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port (general population and pet-friendly)
Manatee
The county has issued an evacuation notice for residents living in the Level A evacuation zone and anyone living in mobile or manufactured homes starting Wednesday at 10 a.m.
It will give residents and visitors on the barrier islands and low-lying areas time to get out of harm’s way.
Shelter locations:
- Electa Arcotte Lee Middle School, 4000 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton
- Buffalo Creek Middle School, 7320 69th St. E., Palmetto
This is a developing story. Stay with WUSF for updates.
