Tropical Storm Helene: Tampa Bay governments, schools to close
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Infrared satellite image of the developing storm that is forecast to become Hurricane Helene. Image: CIRA/RAMMB
Tampa Bay is bracing for Tropical Storm Helene as it barrels toward Florida's west coast.
- Residents should prepare now, local officials said.
State of play: The rapidly intensifying cyclone is expected to bring up to 8 feet of storm surge to Tampa Bay, per the National Hurricane Center, along with heavy rainfall and strong winds.
- As of the center's 5am update, Tampa Bay remains under a hurricane watch along with tropical storm and storm surge warnings.
- A stretch of the Gulf Coast from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach in the Panhandle is under a hurricane warning.
- The area could begin seeing effects today with the most severe impacts expected to arrive Thursday.
- Landfall is expected Thursday night, most likely between the Panhandle and the state's Big Bend region.
School closures: Schools throughout Tampa Bay will close starting Wednesday, aside from Pasco, which will keep schools open Wednesday before closing on Thursday.
- Hillsborough, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas schools are set to reopen Friday, while Sarasota's will reopen next week.
- The University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College canceled classes on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Residence halls on USF's St. Petersburg campus will close on Wednesday, while those on the Tampa and Sarasota-Manatee campuses will remain open.
Evacuations: Pinellas ordered mandatory evacuations for long-term healthcare facilities in Zone A. That includes hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- Hillsborough had not ordered evacuations as of Tuesday afternoon.
- Eckerd College in St. Petersburg ordered students to evacuate campus residence halls by 11am Wednesday.
Shelters: Hillsborough and Pinellas counties had not opened shelters as of Wednesday morning.
- Pasco will open shelters at 4pm Wednesday at Centennial Middle School, Fivay High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, River Ridge Middle and High Schools, and Sunlake High School.
- A shelter in Hernando County will open 8am Wednesday at West Hernando Middle School in Brooksville.
Other closures: Most government buildings will close starting Wednesday. The St. Pete Pier will close at 2pm, the city said in a news release.
Get prepared: The Florida Division of Emergency Management created a disaster supplies kit checklist that includes food and water, first aid supplies, insurance documents, flashlights, batteries and medicine.
- You can find almost everything at your local Walmart. Yacob managed to find 30 items on the list for under $200.