Tropical Storm Elsa information: Pinellas County

Gulfport prepared for possible flooding due to Elsa

Catherine Hawley reports

Ongoing updates from Pinellas County as Tropical Storm Elsa approaches Florida.

SANDBAGS

St. Petersburg:

In addition to the city's year-round self-serve sandbag site at 1744 9th Ave. N., St. Pete will offer sandbags at the following locations beginning Tuesday, July 6 at 9 a.m.:

Northeast Park: 875 62nd Ave SE, located at the Cardinal Drive entrance to Mangrove Bay Golf Course
James "JC" Turner Fields: 643 22nd Ave S, located on the south side of Bartlett Park (sandbags will be distributed in the parking lot of the fields)
Northwest Pool: 2331 60th Street N (sandbags will be distributed in pool parking lot)

Dunedin:

The city of Dunedin opened a self-serve sandbag station at 10 a.m. Monday, July 5 at Highlander Park on Michigan Boulevard. It will remain open until further notice closing at dusk each evening. Residents and businesses are permitted 15 bags per day with proof of residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill.

Gulfport:

Sandbag distribution is closed for this location.

Pinellas Park:

The City of Pinellas Park's self-service sandbag sites for residents only are open Tuesday, July 6. A premade sandbag site is available for residents who need assistance.

Residents can get up to 10 sandbags each and must show a water bill and/or valid driver's license indicating they are a resident of Pinellas Park in order to receive their sandbags.

Pick up location and times are below:

Helen Howarth Park: (Premade Sandbag Site) 6301 94th Ave N. Pinellas Park, FL - starting at 8:00 am
Pinebrook Park: (Self Service Sandbag Site) 7202 118th Ave N. Pinellas Park, FL - starting at 8:00 am
Broderick Park: (Self Service Sandbag Site) 6101 66th Ave N. Pinellas Park, FL - starting at 8:00 am

These sites will be open until weather conditions are no longer safe for distribution. For more information about sandbags, please contact the Public Works Department at 727-369-5850.

Unincorporated Pinellas residents:

Sandbags distribution is now closed for these locations.

Vacationers watch rising waves as Elsa approaches St. Pete beach

Justin Matthews reports

EVACUATIONS:

No evacuations ordered.

CLOSINGS:

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium tentatively plans to reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 7.

SHELTERS:

Pinellas County opened two shelters at 9 a.m. Tuesday for residents seeking emergency shelter from Tropical Storm Elsa.

Lealman Exchange shelter, located at 5175 45th St. N in St. Petersburg, will open for the general population, those with special needs and persons with pets.
Ross Norton Recreation Center shelter, located at 1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr Ave. in Clearwater, will open to the general population.

The latest information on PSTA bus service can be obtained by calling the InfoLine at 727-540-1900 or by visiting https://psta.net/riding-psta/weather-alert/

SCHOOLS:

School is out for the summer. On Monday, public school officials have canceled all summer programming including after-care/childcare programs and school-related activities through Wednesday, July 7. The school district anticipates being open and fully operational on Thursday, July 8, 2021.

St. Pete College will operate virtually on Tuesday and its campus and sites will be closed due to Tropical Storm Elsa.