Hillsborough County releases new evacuation zones for residents
TAMPA, Fla. - One week into hurricane season, Florida has already had its first brush with a tropical disturbance. Hillsborough County officials just released new evacuation zones, and the changes put 75,000 people in an evacuation zone for the first time.
The biggest map change is in East Tampa, where many residents are now in a storm evacuation zone for the first time. The area bordered by the Hillsborough River to the north, Harney Road to the east, I-4 to the south, and I-275 to the west has been moved to Zone E, according to county officials. This area was not previously in an evacuation zone.
County officials say Zone E is considered to be the final evacuation zone in the face of a threatening storm. Separately, 55,000 Hillsborough residents are no longer in an evacuation zone – for the first time.
READ: Track the tropics with MyFOXHurricane.com
Hillsborough officials are urging residents to start preparing for storm season now. Review your evacuation zone and have a disaster kit for evacuations or prolonged power outages ready.
To check your evacuation zone, visit HCFLGov.net/HEAT.