Catie Moore
As Hurricane Helene approaches Florida, Hillsborough County residents need to be informed about the latest updates regarding evacuations, closures, and safety measures.
Mandatory Evacuations in Hillsborough County
- Evacuation Zone A: A mandatory evacuation order is in place for Zone A, effective Wednesday at 9 a.m.
- Mobile and Manufactured Homes: Residents in mobile or manufactured homes must evacuate, regardless of their evacuation zone.
County-Wide Closures
- County Offices and Facilities: All Hillsborough County offices, libraries, parks, preserves, and recreation centers will be closed on Thursday.
- James A. Haley Hospital: The hospital and associated VA clinics will be closed for in-person appointments on Thursday. The ER will remain open.
- Solid Waste Collection: Waste collection services in Hillsborough County will be suspended on Thursday.
City of Tampa Closures and Updates
- Tampa International Airport: Operations will be suspended starting at 2 a.m. on Thursday until further notice.
- City Offices and Services: Tampa city offices will be closed on Thursday. Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collections for both residential and commercial properties will be suspended.
- City Council Workshop: The meeting scheduled for Thursday has been postponed; the new date will be announced.
- Parks and Recreation: While city parks will remain open on Wednesday, all programs and events are canceled on Wednesday and Thursday.
Additional Closures
- Busch Gardens: Closed on Thursday.
- ZooTampa: Closed on Thursday.
- Florida Aquarium: Closed on Thursday.
Sandbag Distribution in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County is offering sandbags to residents to help with potential flooding. Distribution sites are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the following locations:
- Edward Medard Conservation Park: 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City, FL 33567
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park: 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
- Ed Radice Sports Complex: 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa, FL 33626
- Larry Sanders Sports Complex: 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa, FL 33619
Residents are eligible for a maximum of 10 sandbags per household and must show a valid ID to verify residence.
City of Tampa Sandbag Sites
- Locations: Himes Ave Complex, Al Barnes Park, Al Lopez Park.
- Hours: Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. for seniors and those with special needs, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. for the general public. Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. for the general public.
- Limit: 10 sandbags per resident with identification required.
City of Temple Terrace Sandbag Distribution
- Location: Sports Complex, 10369 US Highway 301.
- Hours: Tuesday, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Limit: 10 sandbags per person with ID verification.
Hillsborough County Schools and Universities
- School Closures: Hillsborough County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 25, and Thursday, September 26. All after-school programs and extracurricular activities are canceled.
- University of South Florida: All classes at USF campuses are canceled starting Wednesday, resuming on Monday.
- Hillsborough Community College: Closing at noon on September 25 through September 26. All afternoon and evening classes are canceled.
- University of Tampa: Classes are canceled from Wednesday through Friday, resuming on Monday, September 30.
Stay Informed
For more information and real-time updates, visit Hillsborough County Emergency Management.
Related Links:
- 2024 Hurricane Guide
- Storm Prep & Shopping List
- Get the latest updates on storm tracks at MyFoxHurricane.com.
Be prepared and stay safe during Hurricane Helene.
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