Hurricane Helene: Pasco County updates & information

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - As Tropical Storm Helene works its way toward Florida, here's what people in Pasco County need to know.

Pasco County Evacuations:

Mandatory evacuations will go into effect Wednesday, September 25, at 9 a.m. for the following:

Evacuation Zone A
This also includes everyone living in a manufactured home, mobile home, or RV anywhere in Pasco County. It also includes residents in low-lying areas and areas prone to flooding.

Voluntary evacuations will go into effect Wednesday, September 25 at 9 a.m. for the following:

Evacuation Zones B and C
This also includes everyone registered with Pasco as a resident with special needs and everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of power loss.

Pasco County braces for Hurricane Helene

FOX 13's Charley Belcher reports.

Pasco County Shelters

Pasco County is opening hurricane shelters for anyone who needs to leave their home ahead of Tropical Storm Helene and has nowhere else to stay. All shelters accept family pets.

The following shelters will open on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 4 p.m.:

Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City
Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Avenue, Hudson
Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Boulevard, Wesley Chapel (Special Needs & General Population)
River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Boulevard, Land O’ Lakes

The following Special Needs Only shelter will open Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 9 a.m.:

Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Avenue, Hudson

County leaders are asking residents to stay with family, friends or neighbors, if possible. If that’s not an option, self-evacuate directly to an open shelter.

GoPasco (Public Transportation) bus services will be running regular routes and offering free rides to Pasco shelters starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, until weather conditions deteriorate.

Pasco County Closings:

Pasco-Hernando State College will close its campuses on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the storm. All on campus and remote classes have been canceled on those days. Normal operations are expected to resume on Friday.

All Pasco County offices will be closed on Thursday.