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Hurricane Helene: Pasco County updates & information

By FOX 13 News Staff
Updated  September 25, 2024 1:49pm EDT
Hurricanes
FOX 13 News

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    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. 

    Pasco County Sandbags:

    Two sandbag stations are open 24 hours a day, weather permitting.

    • Magnolia Valley Golf Course, 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
    • Pasco County Public Works, 30908 Warder Rd., San Antonio

    The county has also opened two additional self-serve sites from sunrise to sunset each day until further notice.

    • Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Rd., Hudson
    • Pasco Fire Rescue Station #29, 6907 Dairy Rd., Zephyrhills

    Pasco County Schools:

    Schools in Pasco County will be closed on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, so five of the schools can open as emergency shelters. 

    Keiser University New Port Richey will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday. 

    Pasco County more information:

    Click here for more information from Pasco County Emergency Management.

    County-by-County

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