Mandatory Evacuations Ordered By Hillsborough County; Shelters To Open

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Zone A, as well as those in mobile and manufactured homes and residents in low-lying areas prone to flooding

The order became effective at 2 p.m. Monday. That's also when the county opened two shelters while urging residents to first seek shelter with friends and family before going to a shelter.

"Shelters should be a last resort," said Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise.

The general population shelter is now open at Hillsborough Community College at The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview.

The pet-friendly special needs shelter is located at Erwin Technical School, 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.

The county opened eight additional shelters at 4 p.m. Monday.

The general population shelters are located at:

• Lockhart Elementary Magnet School, 3719 N. 17th St., Tampa
• Middelton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa (Pet-friendly)
• Newsome High School, 16550 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia
• Pizzo Elementary, 11701 USF Bull Run, Tampa
• Reddick Elementary, 325 West Lake Drive, Wimauma
• Shields Middle School, 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin (Pet-friendly)
• Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz (Pet-friendly)
• Sgt. Paul R. Smith Middle School, 14303 Citrus Pointe Drive, Tampa.

The special needs shelters are only for residents with medical issues that require electricity or who have cognitive issues that would not be supported in a general population shelter.

Residents bringing pets to the pet-friendly shelters need to bring a sturdy carrier for each pet that allows room for the pet to stand up and move around, as well as a collar with a leash and supplies for each pet to last seven days. More information on how residents can prepare their pets can be found here.

Hillsborough County Public Schools will close Tuesday and Wednesday to allow families to make hurricane preparations and to use some schools as shelters.

Click here for details about Hillsborough County's evacuation zones and additional storm preparation information.

Residents without digital access are encouraged to call 833-HC STORM or 833-427-8676, the county's storm information line, or visit the county's Stay Safe website.

Sandbag Information

Hillsborough County will continue making sandbags available at four locations from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 29.

Sandbags are available at the following locations:

• Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
• E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
• Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa
• Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa

Hillsborough County residents are eligible for a maximum of 10 sandbags per family. Residents must show ID verifying they live in the county. A driver's license or utility bill will serve as proper identification.