Hurricane Ian: Clearwater Mayor Declares State Of Emergency, Closures

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard has signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in the city of Clearwater due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Ian, which is now forecast to make landfall in Tampa Bay.

A storm surge and a hurricane warning have been issued for all of Pinellas County and are expected to be upgraded to storm surge and hurricane watches some time Monday night.

The National Weather Service is predicting a rapid intensification of Hurricane Ian to a Category 4 hurricane by the time it reaches the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday with sustained winds of 140 mph.

"I've been asked about many of our new residents because we've had such an enormous influx of people from the North moving to Florida," Hibbard said. "And I told somebody yesterday, complacency is our greatest enemy in this storm. Our newest residents seem to be heeding the warnings, but all of us who have lived here for decades, we've seen many near misses."

He urged longtime residents to take Hurricane Ian just as seriously as new residents.

"This is a very dangerous event with the rain that we're going to have, and most of the injuries occur after the storm has passed," Hibbard said.

This includes drownings by people who mistakenly misjudge the depth of floodwaters on roads and drive through, electrocution due to downed power lines, carbon monoxide poisoning from the misuse of portable generators and fatal injuries from trees falling due to saturated grounds, he said.

"We can replace property," Hibbard said. "We can't replace people."

Mandatory evacuation orders for all residents living in Zone A and in mobile homes went into effect at 6 p.m. Monday. Mandatory evacuations for residents living in Zones B and C will be in effect starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Long-term health care facilities are also under evacuation orders.

The city is urging all visitors to evacuate Clearwater as well.

Thousands of Pinellas County properties were added to the county's evacuation zone map this year, so residents who were previously not in an evacuation zone are urged to check to see if they now fall within an evacuation zone by clicking here.

See related stories:

• Hurricane Ian: 5-10 Foot Storm Surge, FL Will Feel Effect Tuesday
• Hurricane Ian: Hillsborough Residents In Zone A Must Evacuate Now
• Hurricane Ian: If You Don't Evacuate, You're On Your Own: Sheriff
• Hurricane Ian Forecast To Hit Pasco County As Major Hurricane
• Tampa Bay In Direct Path Of Hurricane Ian: Forecasters

Pinellas County sheriff's deputies will restrict access to the Pinellas County barrier islands, including Clearwater Beach, starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, in preparation for Hurricane Ian.

Only residents or those with legitimate business will be allowed access. The restricted access will continue until the storm passes the Pinellas County area.

The following people will have access to barrier islands: residents, property owners, business owners, business employees and contractors. Residents must provide their Barrier Island Re-Entry Permit or photo ID and reasonable proof that they live or have legitimate business on the barrier islands.

For real-time traffic information, visit FL511.com.

As of Monday afternoon, the city of Clearwater ran out of sand and bags at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew St.

It is not clear at this time if more supplies will be available. The city's stormwater team noted that sandbags are used to prevent flooding but they will not protect people and property from storm surge, which could reach up to 15 feet in Pinellas County.

The shelter at the Ross Norton Recreation Center, 1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Clearwater is now open.

Additional shelters will open in Pinellas County at 7 a.m. Tuesday. To find a shelter, click here.

People with special needs can call the Pinellas Citizens Information Center at 727-464-4333 or Clearwater Fire & Rescue at 727-562-4334.

For people with pets, download, print and fill out the "Pet Friendly Shelter Enrollment Form."

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will offer free bus rides to the shelters on Tuesday but the bus lines will not run once the hurricane hits. Fares are also suspended for the Jolley Trolley and the Looper.

Trash and recycling were picked up Monday and will be picked up again Tuesday. However, solid waste and recycling crews will not pick up trash and recycling on Wednesday or Thursday.

The city is shutting down the reclaimed water system at noon on Tuesday to help prevent it contribute to local flooding if pipes break. Anyone who uses reclaimed water for cooling towers should switch over to their backup system before noon.

All Clearwater recreation centers, athletic fields, the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex and Moccasin Lake Nature Park are now closed.

All Clearwater libraries closed at 5 p.m. Monday.

The following events have been canceled:

• Publix Clearwater Rock n' Roll Running Series Oct. 1 and 2
• Referendum Public Information Sessions Sept. 26 to 29 -
• Clearwater Citizens Academy Sept. 27
• The Special City Council Budget Meeting on Sept. 29 is rescheduled for Oct. 6
• Solar Co-op Information Session Sept. 29

The city has taken a number of precautions to prepare for the storm and is urging residents to stay up to date by visiting the city's new website.