Here is a link to all of WMNF’s Hurricane Milton stories
There are still a lot of variables with Hurricane Milton.
The storm continues to intensify over the Gulf’s warm, deep waters and is on a path headed toward the Tampa Bay area. The National Weather Service said if this storm impacts Tampa, it will be the worst in over a century to do so.
As of 2 p.m., Monday: The National Hurricane Center said Milton is a category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 175 miles per hour.
The cone is still too large to be sure where it will hit the coast, but meteorologists say 10-20 miles north or south could make a huge difference for people in the Tampa Bay area.
If the storm hits Clearwater, the region could see 10 to 15 feet of storm surge. But if it hits more south, all the water will get pulled out of Tampa Bay.
While there will be substantial rain, forecasters say this storm will be mostly a wind and storm surge event.
Evacuations
Most current evacuation orders are available at floridadisaster.org.
Hillsborough County:
- Starting at 2:30 p.m.: Mandatory evacuation for Zones A and B, and All Mobile and Manufactured Homes
Manatee County:
- Starting at 2 p.m.: Mandatory evacuation Levels A, B, and C, and everyone in RVs or mobile homes.
Sarasota County:
- If you live in Level A or close to Level A, manufactured home, mobile, boat or RV home, now is the time to implement a plan.
- Officials said if you plan on leaving, Monday is the day to do it.
Pinellas County:
- Mandatory evacuation for all Residential Healthcare Facilities in Evacuation Zones A, B, and C (as of Sunday). The county encourages residents in Zones A, B, and C to evacuate as well.
- Zone D is voluntary.
Pasco County:
- Starting at 10 a.m.: Mandatory evacuation for residents in Zones A and B – including anyone living in a manufactured home, mobile home, or RV and everyone in flood-prone or low-lying areas.
- Starting at 10 a.m.: Voluntary evacuation for residents in Zone C. Special Needs Residents and anyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss throughout the county.
Citrus County:
- Starting Tuesday, at 8 a.m.: Mandatory evacuations for anyone residing in a camper, tent, mobile home, manufactured home, or any structure not capable of withstanding 110 mph winds.
Sandbag locations
- Sarasota County:
- Self-service sandbags are available to residents until Monday at 7 p.m.:
- Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St.
- Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Rd.
- South County Fleet Services, 4571 SR 776/Englewood Road, Venice
- Self-service sandbags are available to residents until Monday at 7 p.m.:
- Hillsborough County:
- All locations open until Monday at 7 p.m.:
- Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Dr.
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin
- Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S 78th St, Tampa
- Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd, Plant City
- All locations open until Monday at 7 p.m.:
- Pinellas County:
- For unincorporated Pinellas County residents only, open until Monday, at 5 p.m.
- John Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Road S., Palm Harbor
- Walsingham Park, 12615 102nd Ave, Seminole
- Check your municipality or city website for information on sandbags if in an incorporated portion of the county.
- For unincorporated Pinellas County residents only, open until Monday, at 5 p.m.
School Closures:
- Pasco County Schools are closed through Friday, Oct. 11. Students will return to campus Monday, Oct. 14.
- Hernando County Schools are closed through Friday, Oct. 11.
- Hillsborough County Schools are closed through Wednesday, Oct. 9.
- Pinellas County Schools are closed through Wednesday, Oct. 9.
