Emergency shelters open in Tampa Bay Area as Tropical Storm Debby heads for Florida
TAMPA, Fla. - As Tropical Storm Debby takes aim for Florida, several counties have announced information about evacuations and shelters.
Citrus County
There is a mandatory evacuation order for Evacuation Zone A which includes all low-lying areas west of U.S. Highway 19 and some additional areas east of U.S. Highway 19, according to the sheriff's office.
A voluntary evacuation has also been declared for all low-lying areas and anyone residing in campers, tents, mobile homes, manufactured homes, or any structure not capable of withstanding sustained winds up to 60 MPH.
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office says the following shelters will be open on Saturday at 6 p.m.:
General population and pet friendly:
Lecanto Primary School (3790 W Educational Path, Lecanto)
Special Needs:
Forest Ridge Elementary School (2927 N Forest Ridge Blvd, Hernando)
For more information, click here.
Hernando County
Officials announced that voluntary evacuations will be issued for Evacuation Zone A beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county wide, are included, according to Hernando County Emergency Management.
Residents are advised to seek shelter with family or friends that reside in a safe structure. If that's not possible, a public shelter will open at 7 p.m. on Saturday at West Hernando Middle School located at 14325 Ken Austin Pkwy., Brooksville, FL 34614.
The pet-friendly shelter is available for residents who have special needs and the general population. No meals will be served on Saturday, but breakfast will be served on Sunday morning.
For more information, click here.
Hillsborough County
A shelter at Erwin Technical College, 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33610 will open at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
According to officials, the shelter will be open for those who are prone to flooding or have special needs. Pets are welcome but shelter-goers are asked to bring a sturdy carrier for each pet that allows room for the pet to stand and move around, as well as a collar with a leash and supplies for each pet.
Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center says residents are urged to use emergency shelters as a last resort and contact friends and family as a first option.
Cots and blankets are not provided at shelters, and residents should bring their own comfort items.
For more information, click here.
There are currently no evacuation orders for Hillsborough County.
Manatee County
Evacuations have not been ordered in Manatee County.
Authorities say a shelter at Nolan Middle School (6615 Greenbrook Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34202) opened at noon on Saturday. The shelter is available for residents in low-lying areas who want to evacuate.
Pasco County
Pasco County is opening a shelter located at Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Avenue in Hudson at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Officials say the shelter is for people who have special needs and the general population.
Pasco County Government issued a voluntary evacuation for certain areas of Pasco County including:
- Residents who live in Evacuation Zone A
- Anyone who lives in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco
- Residents who live in a low-lying area or an area prone to flooding
- Residents who live in a structure that historically has experienced flooding during heavy rainfall
- Residents who are registered with Pasco as a Special Needs Resident
- Anyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss
To find out your evacuation zone, enter your street address on Pasco's interactive map. To access the map and see other emergency information, click here.
For information about sandbag locations, click here.
For updates on Tropical Depression Four, click here.
SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter