🌱 School Districts Post Re-Opening Plans + TPA Fully Operational

Hello, everybody! Happy Thursday. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter. Follow along to find out everything you need to know about what's going on these days in town. In today's issue, we'll touch on:

• Tampa International Airport is fully re-opening today for departures and arrivals.
• Some school districts in the Tampa Bay area are re-opening today.
• Sal Rosa is a new Latin and Caribbean-themed restaurant opening soon inside a hotel in downtown Tampa.

But first, today's weather: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 90 Low: 78.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister asked residents to stay out of the water on Wednesday amid flooding impacts from Hurricane Idalia. Chronister said at least 1,000 additional deputies were on duty to respond to rescue calls and help clear roads. Chronister decried people driving drunk after hurricane parties as well. (Tampa Patch)
2. Some schools are opening back up today as the area recovers from the impacts of the storm this week. Hillsborough County Schools is re-opening and so are Pasco County and Manatee County. Parents who cannot bring their student back to school due to impact of the storm are asked to contact school officials. (WTSP)
3. Sal Rosa is a new Latin and Caribbean-themed restaurant coming soon to Le Meridien Hotel in downtown Tampa. The restaurant will replace Bizou Brasserie. No opening date is available at this time. (That's So Tampa)
4. Many of Tampa's unhoused residents chose to weather the storm this week during Hurricane Idalia from underneath bus shelters, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Several of the unhoused said they fear evacuation shelters for different reasons and did not feel comfortable going to one, while others said they were unaware of the option. For many, the only belongings they had were washed away with the storm. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
5. Tampa International Airlines is fully re-opening today for departing and arriving flights. The airport only experienced minor damages during the storm, according to officials. Travelers are asked to check with their airline for more information. (WFLA)

Are you a real estate agent in Tampa struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Tampa newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Today in Tampa:

Thursday, August 31

• Silly Social Club at Community Roots Collective. (9:30 a.m.)
• Green Book Business Owner Mixer at Accent Styles Boutique. (6 p.m.)
• Tampa Exchange at Sorry Not Public. (7 p.m.)
• Ben Nichols at The Orpheum. (7 p.m.)
• Soca Reggae 1st Fridays at 82 West Distilling. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Live + Work + Play shared: "Emergency response crews are assessing damage and flooding from Hurricane Idalia. ⚠️ Do NOT drive through flooded streets. Even a few inches of water can cause you to lose controls of your vehicle and salt water can damage your engine." (TAMPA BAY Live+Work+Play via Instagram)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared: "We have gotten a lot of calls and emails, we wanted to let everyone know the animals are safe and happy, and we are open. Thank you for all your support." (Humane Society of Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park shared: "We are happy to report that the Zoo did not sustain any significant damage from Hurricane Idalia, and all animals entrusted to our care are doing well. Thank you for your outpouring of concern." (ZooTampa at Lowry Park via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com