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11/4/24

Hurricane Milton Update - County orders mandatory evacuations of Zones A, B, C

Good afternoon, St. Pete-Clearwater Partners –

Anticipating possible life-threatening storm surge as Hurricane Milton nears our community, Pinellas County has issued a mandatory emergency evacuation of Zones A, B and C, effective immediately. It is important that you communicate this order to your guests and staff – however, please stress there is no need for panic, and that our visitors and residents have until Tuesday evening to evacuate and make alternative arrangements. You are urged to take these warnings seriously.

Beginning at 7 p.m. tonight, access to barrier islands will be closed except for residents, business owners, or employees with a Barrier Island Re-Entry Permit or other applicable documentation, rideshare operators (to pick people up to get them off the islands), and debris collectors. At 7 p.m. tomorrow night (Tuesday, Oct. 8), all access will be shut down to the barrier islands.

Officials are encouraging if you are in an evacuation zone to seek shelter in a non-evacuation zone or relocate outside the County. For your and their convenience, we have a link on our website which helps identify hotels located in non-evacuation zones. If you are unsure of your evacuation zone, please check here.

A Hurricane Watch, Storm Surge Watch and Flood Watch are in effect in Pinellas County for Hurricane Milton. The storm has strengthened to a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico before making expected landfall in Florida on Wednesday. The current forecast calls for life-threatening storm surge, higher than the region experienced during Hurricane Helene.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport terminal building will close Tuesday afternoon after the last flight departure. All Allegiant flights have been canceled on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial and cargo operations beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, ahead of Hurricane Milton, with the Airport remaining closed to the public until it can assess any damage after the storm.

Guests should contact their airline for the latest flight information – airlines are responsible for their schedules.

The County Information Center (CIC) remains open 24 hours for preparedness questions and can be reached at (727) 464-4333.

This morning the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners met and extended a State of Local Emergency for Hurricane Milton. All Pinellas County government departments remain closed through Wednesday.

We will continue to actively monitor the situation and communicate any updated information with you as it becomes available. Please plan accordingly and stay safe. For up-to-date information on Hurricane Milton from Pinellas County, please subscribe to Alert Pinellas or visit the Pinellas County Emergency Information page.