Hurricane Idalia: Pasco Declares Mandatory Evacuations, Closes Schools

PASCO COUNTY, FL — With Hurricane Idalia expected to make landfall along the Nature Coast which includes Pasco County, as a Category 3 hurricane, Pasco County's Emergency Management division has issued mandatory and voluntary evacuations and will be closing public schools.

On Monday, the Pasco Board of County Commissioners issued a local state of emergency for Pasco County ahead of Idalia, which allows the county administrator and emergency management director to waive everyday procedures and do what they believe is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.

Anticipating Hurricane Idalia to make landfall Wednesday morning, bringing life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds, Pasco County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Zone A or those who live in a manufactured home, mobile home or recreational vehicle anywhere in Pasco County, live in a low-lying area or an area prone to flooding or live in a structure that historically has experienced flooding during heavy rainfall.

Voluntary evacuations are in place for residents who live in Zones B or C, are registered for a special needs shelter or are vulnerable to power loss.

Click here to enter your street address on the interactive map to see what evacuation zone you live in and other emergency information.

Emergency Management urges residents to consider riding out the storm with family or friends. If that's not an option, they can evacuate directly to a Pasco County Shelter. Shelters will open Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 8 a.m.

The following shelters include:

• Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City
• Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
• Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson
• River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
• Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., (special needs and general population), Wesley Chapel
• Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, (special needs and general population), 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson

All shelters allow family pets. Click here to find out what items to bring for pets.

Those who need a ride to a Pasco County shelter can call 727-847-2411 to arrange a pick-up.

All storm-related information and updates are available on MyPasco.net and on the county's social media platforms.

Based on the advice of the Pasco County Emergency Management team, Pasco County Schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday and resume regular school hours on Thursday. The closure includes all after-school enrichment programs, including PLACE, DELTA and STAR.

Pasco County emergency managers require many of the schools as storm shelters for families in the community. Based on information from the Pasco Emergency Operations Center, Idalia is forecast to impact Pasco County as a Category 3 hurricane, which means a possibility of storm surge for coastal areas, damaging winds, inland flooding and widespread power outages.

With the storm expected to grow in intensity before landfall, families are urged to take necessary precautions immediately to protect their homes and loved ones by preparing emergency kits, securing outdoor items and staying updated with local advisories.

Residents and business owners can stay abreast of the latest news about Idalia by registering for emergency notifications at Alert Pasco by home phone, cell phone or text message, business phone or email.

Pasco County's Customer Service Center will be open 24 hours beginning Tuesday at 7 a.m. Call Call 727-847-2411 or chat at MyPasco.net.

Visit MyPasco.net and follow Pasco County on social media for updates.

Sandbags Stations Open 24 Hours

Pasco County is also opening its self-serve sandbag stations for 24 hours to help residents protect their property from flooding.

Sand and sandbags are available at the following locations:

West Pasco:

• Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
• W.H. Jack Mitchell Jr. Park: 4825 Little Road, New Port Richey
• Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson

East Pasco:

• Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn): 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
• Wesley Chapel District Park: 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel
• Land O' Lakes Recreation Center: 3032 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes
• Zephyrhills Fire Station 2: 6907 Dairy Road, Zephryhills

Sandbag stations will only be restocked between the hours of 9 a.m.
and 9 p.m. Residents should bring a shovel and be prepared to fill their own
sandbags.

The city of New Port Richey and the city of Dade City are also providing
sandbags to city residents daily at the following locations:

• New Port Richey, 6420 Pine Hill Road
• Former Dade City Police Department building, 38042 Pasco Ave., Dade City

The most effective placement for sandbags is at entry and exit points of
your home. To watch a Pasco video explaining how to properly fill and place
sandbags, click here.