PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – In an afternoon briefing, Pinellas County officials urged residents in Evacuation Zones A, B, C, mobile homes, and those with special medical needs to evacuate immediately if they have not done so already. The mandatory evacuation order affects more than 500,000 residents across the county.
To accommodate the increasing number of evacuees, Pinellas County opened two additional emergency shelters at Melrose Elementary (1752 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg) and Belleair Elementary (1156 Lakeview Road, Clearwater), bringing the total number of shelters to 10. Special needs and pet-friendly shelters are available, and a full list can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov. Currently, over 5,000 people are sheltering in Pinellas County.
Read: Tampa Bay Area Prepares For Bridge Closures Ahead Of Hurricane Milton
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is forecasting an unprecedented storm surge of 10 to 15 feet for Pinellas County between Wednesday and Thursday. “This level of storm surge is unimaginable for our coastal communities and is not survivable,” warned Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins.
In addition to the storm surge, the area could see 5 to 12 inches of rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 18 inches. Saturated grounds are expected to lead to widespread downed trees and inland flooding in low-lying areas outside the evacuation zones, particularly in places that previously flooded during Tropical Storm Debby.
“Some people may still think the storm will turn or miss us, but whether it’s a direct hit or not, we are going to feel the impact, and it’s going to be hard,” Perkins emphasized.
Read: VIDEO: NOAA Aircraft Operations Rough Flight Through Hurricane Milton As It Eyes Florida
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring the strongest winds Pinellas County has experienced in over 100 years, significantly stronger than Hurricane Helene, posing severe risks to mobile home residents. Officials have also warned that mobile home park community centers may not be safe shelters.
Additional Key Updates:
- Flood Risk: Residents around Lake Tarpon are at high risk for flooding. The Southwest Water Management District has released as much water from Lake Tarpon as possible, but storm surge will still enter the lake, causing severe flooding. Those around Lake Seminole may also experience storm surge flooding.
- Barrier Islands: Access to barrier islands will be closed to all at 7 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 8). Pinellas County Utilities will restrict potable water service on the barrier islands, starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, affecting areas from Sand Key to Fort De Soto.
- Special Needs Program: The Special Needs Evacuation Program will stop accepting new registrations after 4 p.m. today. To register, call the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333 before the deadline.
- Transportation Assistance: PSTA will continue offering free rides to shelters on the Pinellas mainland until 7 p.m. Pets are allowed on buses (cats and small dogs in crates; large dogs on muzzle leashes). For more information, call the PSTA InfoLine at (727) 540-1900. The State of Florida is also providing free shuttle services to shelters. No reservations are needed, and details can be found at FloridaDisaster.org/Updates or by calling 800-729-3413.
- Information and Assistance: For any questions or concerns, residents can contact the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333, available 24/7.
Pinellas County urges all residents to act swiftly to ensure their safety as Hurricane Milton draws closer.
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