Hurricane Helene Evacuations Begin In Pinellas County: Officials

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — As Hurricane Helene churns in the Gulf, making its way to Florida, a mandatory evacuation was ordered starting Wednesday at 9 a.m. for everyone in Evacuation Zone A and all mobile homes throughout Pinellas County, officials said in a news release.

This includes high-rise buildings in Evacuation Zone A.

A storm surge warning, hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are in effect for Pinellas County.

Though Helene’s current forecast has it passing offshore of the county, it is expected to bring tropical storm force winds, life-threatening storm surge flooding of 5 to 8 feet and flash flooding to the area on Thursday.

Those evacuating should have their evacuation completed and be in a safe place by Thursday at 8 a.m., “before weather conditions become too dangerous,” officials said.

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Residents and visitors can check their evacuation zones at disaster.pinellas.gov, downloading the Ready Pinellas app or calling the County Information Center at 727-463-4333.

The county opened emergency shelters at the following locations Wednesday at 9 a.m.:

• Dunedin Highland Middle School, 70 Patricia Ave, Dunedin (special needs)
• Gibbs High School, 850 34th St S, St. Petersburg (pet friendly)
• John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St S, St. Petersburg (special needs)
• Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave, Largo (pet friendly)
• Lealman Innovation Academy, 4900 28th St N, Lealman
• Palm Harbor University High School Building 19, 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (special needs, pet friendly)

Palm Harbor University High School Main Building, 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (pet friendly)

Pinellas County Emergency Management is coordinating directly with the staff of residential healthcare facilities in Evacuation Zone A. Currently, 26 such facilities are ordered to evacuate.

The County Information Center (CIC) is open 24 hours for hurricane preparedness questions. Call 727-464-4333.

Those evacuating to a special needs shelter should bring bedding, medications, written instructions or orders regarding their care, and any medical supplies they need, including oxygen concentrator or a walker.

Find a detailed list of what to bring to a general shelter at disaster.pinellas.gov.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is offering free rides to the shelters. Pets are allowed on the bus: cats and small dogs in a crate; large dogs on a muzzle leash.

For the latest information on PSTA bus service, call the InfoLine at 727-540-1900, psta.net or the mobile app Tran.

Sandbags

The county has made sandbags available at the following locations through 7 p.m. on Wednesday:

• John Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Road S., Palm Harbor, Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, 7 a.m. to noon.

• Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew Street, Clearwater, Tuesday, sunrise to sunset, and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon. This is open to unincorporated county and Clearwater residents only.

Sandbags offered by the county are limited to 10 per vehicle. Residents should bring a shovel.
Individual cities and towns are likely offering their own sandbag locations.
In the city of St. Petersburg, self-service sandbag sites are open Wednesday until 7 p.m. at:

• Dell Homes Park, 2741 22nd Street S.
• Fossil Park northernmost parking lot, 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street N.
• Walter Fuller soccer field parking lot, 2800 75th Street N.

Full-service locations are open Wednesday until 7 p.m. at:

• Lake Maggiore Park shelter area, 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street S.
• Northeast Park east baseball field parking lot, 955 62nd Ave. NE
• Northwest Swimming Pool parking lot, 2331 60th Street N.

Sandbags are only recommended for those who may experience flooding less than 15 inches from rain or tides, county officials said. Sandbags won’t stop water completely, but they can reduce the amount of water entering your home. They won’t protect against waves or storm surge.

Public Transportation

PSTA will suspend all routes, including PSTA Access, the Jolley Trolley and Looper services on Thursday until further notice.

These routes will operate Wednesday.

For the latest information about the PSTA, 727-540-1900 or by visiting the agency’s Facebook page and or X (formerly Twitter) feed.

School Closures

Pinellas County Schools will be closed and all sports and activities canceled on Wednesday and Thursday. Schedules could be altered for schools that might serve as evacuation sites. No evacuations have been ordered yet.

Other County Closures

The Fort De Soto campground closed Tuesday and will remain closed until further notice, the county said. Flood gauges are also being monitored at Brooker Creek and other locations.