Hurricane Irma Forces Officials To Restrict Entry To Pinellas County: UPDATE

UPDATE: On Monday morning, officials reopened Pinellas County for entry generally. Just after 1 p.m., officials announced that the restrictions on barrier islands, too, would soon be lifted.

"All barrier islands will be open for re-entry beginning at 4 pm," the sheriff's office said on Twitter.

Original story below:

ST. PETE, FL — No entry will be allowed into Pinellas County beginning after Hurricane Irma passes until further notice, officials announced Sunday afternoon. The storm veered west as it pummels southern Florida and moves north, bringing winds reaching 120 mph, catastrophic flooding and destruction across the state.

The entire county will be affected by the shutdown until Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and the Patrol Operations Bureau determine that it is safe to begin readmitting people. All points of entry will be blocked.(For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from St. Pete Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"This will be enforced until further notice and will remain in effect until we have conducted a damage and safety assessment," officials said in a media advisory. "We will begin assessing the damage throughout the county, once it is safe to do so."

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The sheriff's office also reminded all residents that they should be off the streets and take shelter. Emergency responders may not be able to respond to calls during the high-intensity storm.

"Deputies will be taking shelter for their safety once sustained winds reach 50 mph," according to county officials. "Deputies will resume responding to calls once the conditions are safe."

See also: Hurricane Irma: Tampa Bay Tornado Watches, Curfews In Place

By Sunday afternoon, the storm had weakened to a Category 3, but was still packed a powerful punch as it makes its way toward the Tampa Bay area. With the threat looming, communities across the region announced mandatory curfews.

The monstrous storm that tore through the Caribbean, leaving at least 20 people dead in its wake, is now blamed for at least three deaths in Florida. Irma was moving north at 12 mph Sunday afternoon. By 2 p.m., Irma was located about 35 miles south of Naples and 70 south of Fort Myers.

Tornado watches went up Sunday afternoon for many counties in Irma's path. In the Tampa Bay area, watches are in effect until 12 a.m. Monday for Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas, Polk and Hernando counties. Tornado watches mean that conditions are favorable for tornado development.

Gov. Rick Scott tweeted out a warning Sunday afternoon to those who find themselves in the hurricane's path:

"As #Irma approaches, water is receding from bays, rivers & other waterways," he wrote. "DO NOT GO IN. The water will surge back & could overtake you."

Sherri Lonon contributed to this report.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images