🌱 Find An Open Shelter + City Closures + Trash Pickup Suspended

Good morning, everybody! I'm back from Iceland with your new edition of the Dunedin Daily, fresh off the presses. I hope you're all staying safe and are keeping an eye on Hurricane Ian updates provided by the City of Dunedin. Let's get this Thursday started with a look at everything going on in town. Today's issue includes...

• Hurricane Ian closures and anticipated effects
• Information on finding local shelters
• Resources for those experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety

But first, today's weather:

Tropical Storm Ian ending. High: 79 Low: 72.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Dunedin:

1. Pinellas County Government urges residents to shelter in place. Tropical force winds are expected to impact the area until Thursday morning, with rain expected to continue until the evening. A storm surge flooding of 4 to 6 feet and isolated tornados are possible through Thursday as well. Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin encourage residents to stay off the roads as the hurricane will create unsafe driving conditions. They also suggest everyone secure their door and home. Updates on storm conditions can be found on Dunedin's website. (Pinellas County Government via Facebook | Dunedin Gov)
2. The City of Dunedin has suspended all trash and recycling pickup for the remainder of the week. The Solid Waste & Recycling Division completed collections on Tuesday as normal and will continue when it's safe. Residents must remove all rolling carts and yard waste from the right-of-way and store them safely. Collections will resume when the streets are clear and safe to travel. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
3. Dunedin City Hall and other city facilities, including the library, will be closed to the public through Sept. 30. However, the Pinellas County Information Center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached by calling 727-464-4333. This is not an emergency line, but for those who have questions about the hurricane and its effects. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the County Information Center via online chat at www.bit.ly/PinellasChat. The City Marina will remain open, and boaters are urged to secure their boats. (Dunedin Gov)

Dunedin Daily Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Rochelle La Fortune, for sharing this beautiful photo! A little bit of sunshine on this rainy day.

Want to see your Dunedin photo here? Submit it to Dunedin@Patch.com for consideration! Please confirm in the email that you own the rights to the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it.

From my notebook:

• The Florida Highway Patrol has closed the Skyway Bridge in both directions. The bridge will remain closed until the storm passes and the inclement weather subsides. Should you need to travel, be sure to first confirm the availability of your route at flhsmv.gov. (FHP Tampa)
• Dunedin Cares Food Pantry will be closed for donations and shopping through Friday. They will reopen during regular hours on Saturday. Any updates will be posted on their website. (Dunedin Cares via Facebook | Dunedin Cares)
• The Sunset Music Series scheduled for Sept. 30 is canceled. There is no indication yet on whether or not it will be rescheduled. (Dunedin Gov)
• The City of Dunedin reminds residents that driving through standing water can be costly and dangerous. It only takes a few inches of water to hide dangers from view, such as potholes, washed-away pavement, or open manhole covers. Do not drive through moving or rushing water. Vehicles can be swept off the road by fast-moving water even if the water is shallow, often resulting in a fatality. Find an alternate route. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• With Hurricane Ian affecting our area, anxiety and storm-related stress are common. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are 24/7 resources, like the National 988 Lifeline. Call or text 988 for help. (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)
• Pinellas County has opened 25 shelters throughout the county. Locations and capacity status can be found at http://storm.pinellascounty.org. Special needs and pet-friendly shelters can be located by using the dropdown menu. (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)

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Events:

• St Pete's Super Greek Festival 2022 (October 7)
• Brewtoberfest (October 15)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.