Pinellas County has issued mandatory evacuation orders for all residents in evacuation zones A, B and C and all mobile home residents countywide, effective immediately, today, Monday, Oct. 7.
To support evacuations, the County has announced the opening of six emergency shelters, including shelters for people with special needs and pet-friendly shelters (see full list below).
Everyone should plan to be situated in a sturdy home or building outside the evacuation zones before the arrival of tropical force winds, which are expected to begin Wednesday morning, according to current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.
The mandatory evacuation orders come as Hurricane Milton strengthened to a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico earlier today. The storm is currently forecast to reach the central west coast of Florida by Wednesday, bringing deadly storm surge of 8 to 12 feet and hurricane force winds.
The County previously announced mandatory evacuation orders for long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals, and special needs residents in evacuation zones A, B and C. The County is also recommending that special needs residents in evacuation zones D and E evacuate due to the potential loss of electricity and water.
PSTA is offering free rides to the shelters 24/7, effective from now until conditions become unsafe for buses to be on the road. Pets are allowed on the bus: dogs and cats in a crate, large dogs on a muzzle leash. For the latest information on PSTA bus service, call the InfoLine at (727) 540-1900.
Residents who don’t know their evacuation zone can check it here.
Barrier islands info
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will be patrolling the barrier islands from Sand Key south to Pass-a-Grille and announcing the mandatory evacuation. PSTA will provide free transportation on regular bus routes or for anyone who is able to signal a passing bus or trolley.
The Sheriff has also announced that the barrier islands will be closed to all travel except for evacuations and debris pickup at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7.
PSTA trolleys or buses traveling north on Gulf Boulevard will transport citizens to the Park Street terminal in Clearwater, and then transportation will be provided to the Largo High School Shelter. Southbound trolleys or buses will transport riders to Gulf Boulevard and 75th Avenue and additional transportation will be provided to the Gibbs High School Shelter.
Emergency shelters
If you can shelter safely outside of the evacuation zones, either at home, in a hotel, or with a friend or family member, please do so.
These shelters opened at noon today (Anyone can go to a pet-friendly shelter, but only special needs residents can go to a special needs shelter.)
- Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo (general population & pet friendly)
- Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S. St. Petersburg (general population & pet friendly)
- Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (general population & pet friendly) Palm Harbor University High School Bldg. 19 (special needs only)
- Dunedin Middle School, 70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin (special needs only)
- Oak Grove Middle School, 1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater (special needs only)
Additional shelter openings will be announced if needed.
Special needs shelters advice: Bring medications, written instructions or orders regarding your care, and any medical supplies you need (e.g. oxygen concentrator, walker, etc.). More info: pinellas.gov/special-needs
Pet-friendly shelters advice: Residents must bring a carrier, supplies, license and immunization records. More info: pinellas.gov/petprep
Additional County storm response
- Earlier today, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners extended its State of Local Emergency for storm response for seven days.
- The Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Facility is open 24/7 to receive storm debris from anyone. Enter through the 34th Street gate if you have storm debris,
- Pinellas County is working with state and municipal partners and contractors to clear as much Hurricane Helene sand and debris as possible. Sunset Beach and Pass-a-Grille have been cleared of sand.
- Pinellas County Offices, including Clerk’s Office, Property Appraiser and Tax Collector, are closed Monday through Wednesday. The Supervisor of Elections Office is open today for voter registration. Many employees are working in various capacity on storm response.
- The County Information Center (CIC) is open 24/7 for preparedness questions. Call (727) 464-4333. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the CIC via online chat at bit.ly/PinellasChat
Advice for residents
- Take photos of the interior or exterior of your home now and after Hurricane Milton so that FEMA and your property insurance company can determine the damage differential.
- If you are in an evacuation zone, put everything of importance to you (documents, photos, heirlooms) in a plastic case and take it with you.
- Refill prescriptions now in case pharmacies are temporarily unavailable. Under a state of emergency, Floridians are permitted to receive early prescription refills.
- Stay informed:
- Sign up for Alert Pinellas at disaster.pinellas.gov and download the Ready Pinellas app in the App Store or Google Play store for real-time storm updates.
- Monitor local news media, National Weather Service, disaster.pinellas.gov, Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov.
- Tools at disaster.pinellas.gov.
- Move vehicles in surge- and flood-vulnerable areas to higher ground. This is especially true for electric vehicles. Anything with a lithium-ion battery, including golf carts, bikes and scooters can erupt in flames after contact with flood water.
- Make your plan:
- Purchase necessary items to complete your emergency kit, include everyone in your family including your pet(s).
- Know if you can shelter in place or if you may have to evacuate.
- Know what you will need, where you will go, and how long it will take.
For more information on how to make your plan, visit disaster.pinellas.gov.