TAMPA – As Tropical Storm Helene heads toward Florida, people in Hillsborough County are experiencing the following:
Evacuations in Hillsborough County:
Hillsborough County has ordered a mandatory evacuation for Zone A starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday. This also applies to all residents of mobile homes and manufactured homes, regardless of their zone.
Closures in Hillsborough County:
Tampa city offices will be closed Thursday.
Hillsborough County will close all offices and facilities on Thursday. The closure includes all county libraries, parks, preserves and recreation centers. Officials said preserve parks and preserves would close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. All recreation centers would close on Wednesday.
James A. Haley Hospital and all associated VA clinics will be closed to in-person appointments on Thursday. New appointments will be scheduled for veterans who cannot be treated virtually. The emergency department will operate normally.
Emergency shelters in Hillsborough County:
No emergency shelters were opened.
Hillsborough County Sandbags:
Hillsborough County is providing sandbags to prepare residents for possible flooding.
The sandbags will be available to the public on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following four locations:
- Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City, FL 33567
- EG Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
- Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Dr, Tampa, FL 33626
- Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa, FL 33619
Hillsborough County residents are entitled to a maximum of 10 sandbags per family. Residents must present identification verifying their county residency. A driver’s license is considered valid identification.
Tampa
Several sandbag distribution sites will be open in Tampa on Tuesday and Wednesday:
- Himes Ave Complex, 4501 South Himes Avenue
- Al Barnes Park, 2902 North 32nd Street
- Al Lopez Park, 4810 North Himes Avenue
The sites are open to seniors and people with special needs on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon and to the general public from noon to 7 p.m. On Wednesday, the sites are open to the general public from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There is a limit of 10 bags and residents must bring an ID to prove their residency.
Temple Terrace
The City of Temple Terrace opens a sandbag site ahead of possible Tropical Storm Helene.
- Sports Complex, 10369 US Highway 301.
The location is open on:
Tuesday – 12pm to 7pm
Wednesday – 8pm to 7pm
City officials say residents will be allowed a maximum of ten sandbags per person and that identification will be required to verify residency.
Schools in Hillsborough County:
Hillsborough County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26 due to the storm. In addition, all extracurricular programs, sporting events and extracurricular activities are canceled for that Wednesday and Thursday.
The University of South Florida has canceled all classes at all USF locations starting Wednesday and will not resume until Monday. The locations will return to normal business operations (without classes) on Saturday.
Hillsborough Community College will close at noon September 25-26. All afternoon and evening classes are cancelled.
The University of Tampa has also canceled classes tomorrow through Friday. Weekend activities will go ahead as planned, but classes will not resume until Monday, September 30.
Hillsborough County More information:
Click here for more information from Hillsborough County Emergency Management.
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