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Time is running out for Tampa Bay to prepare for Milton

Vaseline October 8, 2024

Hurricane Milton could cause unprecedented destruction in the Tampa Bay area, and officials are warning that today is the last day to prepare.

Forecasters expect it to be an extremely dangerous hurricane that could bring a storm surge of 10 to 15 feet to Tampa Bay. Tropical storm force winds could reach the Tampa Bay area as early as Wednesday morning.

A hurricane warning and storm surge warning apply to the entire area. Pinellas and Pasco counties have issued mandatory evacuations for Zones A, B and C. Hillsborough has ordered evacuations for residents in Zones A and B, as well as mobile and manufactured homes.

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have canceled classes through Wednesday. Pasco has closed schools through Friday. You can stay informed about other closures and cancellations here.

Here is a list of shelters in the Tampa Bay area.

View Milton’s forecast track and wind speeds here.

And here are some tips to prepare for evacuations.

07:05 There is still plenty of room in the shelters

Families evacuating as Hurricane Milton advances can find emergency shelters across the region. The locations are fuller than during Hurricane Helene, but capacity has not yet been reached.

For example, Pasco County’s evacuation locator shows capacity at each location. Fivay High School in Hudson listed more than 2,200 available spots as of 6 a.m., as did River Ridge High in New Port Richey. Each of the other shelters also had several hundred spots, and the county plans to open a sixth location at 9 a.m. at Sunlake High School in Land O’Lakes.

Both Pinellas County and Hillsborough County shelter finders also showed space was available.

Individual county websites continue to update their capacities and provide information including directions and the type of shelter, including whether they accept patients with special needs and are pet-friendly. Officials have warned residents in low-lying areas to follow evacuation orders as soon as possible.

Shelters generally provide space and meals, but little else. Bring bed linen. You may also want to bring snacks and items that will keep your attention, such as books and games. – Jeffrey S. Solochek

7 a.m. Milton ‘extremely dangerous’

The National Weather Service warns in its 5 a.m. advisory that Hurricane Milton is an “extremely dangerous” storm that will produce a large area of destructive storm surge along the west coast of Florida.

The Tampa Bay area remains about the center of the forecast cone and is in a stretch of coastline that could reach as high as 15 feet.