Pinellas Barrier Islands See Limited Access To Prepare For Hurricane Irma

ST. PETE BEACH, FL — As Hurricane Irma keeps the Tampa Bay area in its sights, only residents or people with legitimate business will be allowed access to the Pinellas County barrier islands starting at 10 a.m. Friday, local law enforcement agencies announced. As of Friday afternoon, Irma is targeting the Tampa Bay area as a Category 4 hurricane. Pinellas deputies will be restricting access to the barrier islands until the storm passes through the area.

The 12 cities with limited access are Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Dunedin Causeway/Honeymoon Island, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island. The Tierra Verde community also will have limited access. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Besides residents, property owners, business owners, business employees and contractors will have access to the areas. To gain access, the individuals must provide their Barrier Island Re-Entry Permit or photo identification and reasonable proof that they reside or have legitimate business on the barrier islands. Some examples of identification include vehicle registration, property tax or utility bill, proof of employment (pay stub, work ID, uniform) and work orders.

Watch: Residents Fleeing South Florida Ahead Of Irma

Additional law enforcement will be patrolling the mandatory evacuation areas to ensure public safety and protect property, including the barrier island communities.

Photo courtesy of the City of Clearwater’s Facebook page