Pinellas County issues mandatory evacuation orders as Milton looms

• The orders come ahead of Hurricane Milton, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm Monday and is taking aim at Florida's Gulf Coast.
• Officials took the rare step of suggesting evacuees move out of the county if they can, noting that Pinellas is surrounded by water.

Yes, but: Be prepared for intense traffic and don't wait too long to go, they said.

By the numbers: About 500,000 people live in those zones — more than half the county population.

• That's in addition to the thousands more residents evacuating from Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Officials opened shelters at the following locations:

• Largo High School, Largo (general population and pet friendly)
• Gibbs High School, St. Petersburg (general population and pet friendly)
• Palm Harbor University High School, Palm Harbor (general population and pet friendly)

• Palm Harbor University High School Bldg. 19, Palm Harbor (special needs)
• Dunedin Highland Middle School, Dunedin (special needs)
• Oak Grove Middle School, Clearwater (special needs)

Barrier island access: Authorities will at 7pm Monday close bridges to the Pinellas barrier islands to everyone but residents and business owners or employees.

• They will also allow debris removal contractors and rideshare drivers to pick up residents trying to evacuate.
• Access will shut down for everyone at 7pm Tuesday.

Residents with questions can call the County Information Center at 727-464-4333.