ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – With Hurricane Milton rapidly approaching as a powerful Category 4 storm, the City of St. Petersburg is urging residents to finalize preparations and evacuate immediately if they haven’t already done so.
The storm is predicted to make landfall just south of the Tampa Bay area, bringing with it a potentially devastating storm surge of 8-12 feet and hurricane-force winds to St. Petersburg. Impacts are expected within the next few hours.
READ: Hurricane Milton Update: Major Hurricane To Make Landfall Soon, Weakening Expected
Time Running Out to Evacuate
“If you have not evacuated yet, you are quickly running out of time and need to get to a safe place immediately,” city officials warn. “Whether that’s a shelter or a friend’s house, now is the time to figure out where you will shelter as the storm passes.”
First responders will be unable to respond to calls for help once significant sustained winds arrive, underscoring the urgency to seek safe shelter now.
Bridges Closed, Shelters Open
Several major bridges in the Tampa Bay area, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the Howard Frankland Bridge, are already closed.
For those seeking shelter, Pinellas County has opened additional shelters in St. Petersburg, including New Heights Elementary School and Fairmount Park Elementary School. A full list of open shelters and their occupancy status can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov.
READ: Category 4 Hurricane Milton On Collision Course With Florida: Landfall Imminent
Residents needing assistance getting to a shelter can call the County Information Center at 727-464-4333.
Potential for Wastewater Service Disruption
The city warns that the anticipated storm surge could necessitate the shutdown of the Northeast and Southwest Sewer Treatment Facilities. If this occurs, residents may lose the ability to use plumbing, including toilets, showers, and laundry, for potentially more than 24 hours.
Residents can check which treatment plant serves their address by visiting this link.
While there are no plans to shut down drinking water, the situation remains fluid, and residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for potential disruptions to essential services.
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