'This is going to be a knockout': Pinellas County officials issue dire warning ahead of Hurricane Milton
LARGO, Fla. - Pinellas County officials Cathie Perkins, the Pinellas County Emergency Director, and Barbra Hernandez, the Pinellas County Communications Director, held a news conference Wednesday morning to underscore the severity of Hurricane Milton and urge any residents who have chosen not to follow evacuation orders to do so now.
Perkins and Hernandez say winds are reaching upwards of 130 MPH, storm surges upwards of 15 feet, and total electrical blackouts are expected in Pinellas County.
"For those of you that were punched by Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout," Perkins said.
Earlier in the week, Pinellas County issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents of Zones A, B, and C and all mobile homes county-wide.
Perkins announced that approximately 8,000 people are currently in emergency shelters around the county and that the county can house up to 20,000 residents.
As of 9:30 am this morning, three additional general population shelters have opened, according to Perkins. The locations are as follows:
- Palm Harbor Middle School1800 Tampa Rd, Palm Harbor
- 1800 Tampa Rd, Palm Harbor
- New Heights Elementary School in St. Petersburg3901 37th St N, St. Petersburg
- 3901 37th St N, St. Petersburg
- Fairmount Park Elementary School575 41st St S, St. Petersburg
- 575 41st St S, St. Petersburg
These three additional shelters are in addition to the ten existing shelters in the region, which include:
- Campbell Park Elementary (general population)1051 7th Ave. S., St. Petersburg
- 1051 7th Ave. S., St. Petersburg
- Lealman Innovation Academy (general population)4900 28th St N, St. Petersburg
- 4900 28th St N, St. Petersburg
- Clearwater Fundamental Middle School (general population)1660 Palmetto St, Clearwater
- 1660 Palmetto St, Clearwater
- Largo High School (general population and pet friendly)410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo
- 410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo
- Gibbs High School (general population and pet friendly)850 34th St. S. St. Petersburg
- 850 34th St. S. St. Petersburg
- Palm Harbor University High School (general population and pet friendly)1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor
- 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor
- Palm Harbor University High School Bldg. 19 (special needs)1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor
- 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor
- Dunedin Highland Middle School (special needs)70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin
- 70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin
- Oak Grove Middle School (special needs)1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater
- 1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater
- Melrose Elementary (general population)1752 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg
- 1752 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg
- Belleair Elementary (general population)1156 Lakeview Road, Clearwater
- 1156 Lakeview Road, Clearwater
READ MORE: St. Pete construction cranes could pose a threat during Hurricane Milton
Perkins offered other guidelines and suggestions to Pinellas residents, including elevating electric vehicles to prevent their lithium batteries from catching on fire, turning off power to homes in low-lying areas expected to lose power, and scheduling Uber or Lyft rides for family members who are reliant on public transportation for travel and still need to evacuate their homes.
Perkins closed by saying the primary goal was to "prevent the loss of life" from Hurricane Milton but that the storm will bring "scary" conditions and warned the "window is closing" on the ability to evacuate before the storm makes landfall Thursday morning.
For more information on emergency shelters available in Pinellas County, visit disaster.pinellas.gov or call (727) 464-4333.
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