Counties across the Tampa Bay area are opening emergency shelters ahead of Hurricane Milton. We'll post them below and update the list as we get new information.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Pinellas County to open three additional shelters Pinellas County will open three additional general population emergency shelters at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for residents to seek safety from Hurricane Milton.

Here are the locations:

Palm Harbor Middle School, 1800 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor

New Heights Elementary School, 3901 37th St. N., St. Petersburg

Fairmount Park Elementary School, 575 41st St. S., St. Petersburg

General population shelters do not accept pets; however, three County emergency shelters do welcome pets. A full list of available Pinellas County emergency shelters can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov. Please do not delay, as some shelters are filling up. The County Information Center is open around the clock to answer resident questions at (727) 464-4333.

Pinellas ounty announced the opening of two more emergency shelters as of 3:30 p.m. at Melrose Elementary at 1752 13th Ave. South in St. Petersburg and Belleair Elementary at 1156 Lakeview Road in Clearwater Special needs and pet-friendly shelters are available. The complete shelter list can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov. More than 5,000 people are currently in shelters in Pinellas County.

PREVIOUS: Pinellas County is opening six emergency shelters in advance of Hurricane Milton. Effective at noon today, Monday, Oct. 7, the following shelters will be open:

- Largo High School (general population and pet friendly), 410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo
- Gibbs High School (general population and pet friendly), 850 34th St. S. St. Petersburg
- Palm Harbor University High School (general population and pet friendly), 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor
- Palm Harbor University High School Bldg. 19 (special needs), 1900 Omaha St., Palm Harbor
- Dunedin Highland Middle School (special needs), 70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin
- Oak Grove Middle School (special needs), 1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater

Shelters are also at Clearwater Fundamental Middle (1660 Palmetto St., Clearwater) and Lealman Innovation (4900 28th St. N. Lealman).

For more information, click here.

PASCO COUNTY

Pasco County is opening hurricane shelters for anyone who needs to leave their home ahead of Hurricane Milton and has nowhere else to stay.  All shelters are accepting family pets.The following shelters will open Monday, October 7, 2024, at noon:

Learn more about what to bring if you’re sheltering with your pet: mypas.co/PetHurricanePrep

MANATEE COUNTY

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Oct. 9, 2024) – Manatee County is buttoning up for Milton’s arrival later today. Citizens are urged to rush their final preparations to completion and be ready to shelter by this afternoon, when the initial arrival of Tropical Storm winds are expected. Evacuations have been ordered in Levels A, B, and C, including all Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes and RVs.

In advance of the storm, the bridges to the barrier islands have been closed to through traffic. Manatee Avenue westbound across the causeway and bridge is closed at the end of Perico Island. Cortez Road westbound bridge traffic is stopped at 127th St. W. The bridges are open for Emergency Access Only Westbound. Manatee County Public Works staff is also prepared to barricade and close the following bridges as conditions warrant: 

Jim Davis Rd at Gamble Creek 

Golf Course Road at Gamble Creek 

Verna Bethany at the Manatee River 

These closures are to protect infrastructure that experienced flooding damage during Hurricane Debby. Motorists should expect these closures to be in place until Hurricane Milton passes, and the inspection staff has had a chance to evaluate potential damage. Other roadways may also be impacted due to flooding and storm surge. For info on road closures before, during, and after Hurricane Milton, visit mymanatee.org/storm

As more citizens evacuate ahead of the storm, Manatee County is opening six additional shelters at 10 a.m.:

Electa Lee Magnet Middle School (4000 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton) 

Freedom Elementary School (9515 SR64, Bradenton) 

Robert Willis Elementary School (14705 The Masters Ave., Lakewood Ranch) 

Annie Lucy Williams Elementary School (3404 Fort Hamer Rd., Parrish) 

Gene Witt Elementary School (200 Rye Rd. E., Bradenton) 

Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary School (515 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton) 

This is in addition to the other shelters, that hosted almost 6,000 persons overnight. There is still space available at the already opened locations: 

Virgil Mills Elementary School (7200 69th St. E., Palmetto) 

Buffalo Creek Middle School (7320 69th St. E., Palmetto) 

Jessie P. Miller Elementary School (601 43rd St. W., Bradenton) 

Myakka Elementary School (37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City) 

W D Sugg Middle School (5602 38th Ave. W., Bradenton) 

Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School (8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish) 

B D Gullett Elementary School (12125 44th Ave. E., Bradenton) 

Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School (6325 Lorraine Rd., Lakewood Ranch) 

Dr. Mona Jain Middle School (12205 44th Ave. E., Bradenton) 

Robert H. Prine Elementary (3801 Southern Pkwy. W., Bradenton) 

A special needs shelter will also be opening for those who have pre-registered. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so at mymanatee.org/needs.

Lake Manatee Dam levels have been lowered to 35.9 feet allowing staff to moderate flows through the dam. However, projected rainfall amounts from Hurricane Milton may require flows from the dam to increase to match inflow rates. Should this happen, residents in potentially impacted areas will be notified in advance.

Debris collection has been halted in Manatee County following a flurry of activity to collect more than 5000 tons of debris since Helene. The Manatee County Landfill at Lena Rd. has closed until after the storm. Trash haulers assisted in the final sweeps yesterday. Trash and recycling pickups are suspended through Friday.

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly through the day and into the overnight periods when the potential landfall of Milton is anticipated. Heavy winds and rains are expected for most of the evening and into Thursday.  Storm surge impact is expected to be the greatest along our coastal communities from 6 a.m. – 8a.m. Thursday. While rainfall amounts and storm surge will fluctuate greatly depending on exactly where the storm comes ashore, citizens are advised to be patient and not venture out until it is safe to do so.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2024) - Hillsborough County is opening three more shelters for residents in Evacuation Zones A and B and all mobile and manufactured homes, as well as those whose homes are vulnerable to storm surge and flooding, and those that may be more susceptible to wind damage. 

This brings the total to 11 general public shelters and three special-needs shelters opened in advance of Hurricane Milton's expected arrival. 

 The new shelters will open at 10:30 a.m.  today at the following locations. 

 Mulrennan Middle School (NOT pet friendly), 4215 Durant Rd., Valrico, FL 33594 

 Lockhart Elementary Magnet School (NOT pet friendly), 3719 N. 17th St., Tampa, FL 33610 

 Collins PK-8 School (NOT pet friendly), 12424 Summerfield Blvd., Riverview, FL 

33569 

Hillsborough County will open Middleton High School this afternoon as a safe haven in advance of inclement weather for residents who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Middleton High School will open at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa, Fla., 33610. The forecast calls for heavy rain and wind on Sunday afternoon through Sunday night.

Residents who need transportation assistance to Middleton High School should call 833-HC STORM or 833-427-8676 to make arrangements. The storm information and helpline is open until 7 p.m. 

Hillsborough County shelters information.

POLK COUNTY

Based on the current projections and estimated time of Hurricane Milton’s arrival to Polk County, the following public shelters will be open at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8:

  • Auburndale High School, 1 Bloodhound Trail, Auburndale
  • Spessard Holland Elementary School, 2432 E.F. Griffin Road, Bartow
  • Citrus Ridge Academy, 1775 Sand Mine Road, Davenport
  • Horizons Elementary School, 1700 Forest Lake Dr., Davenport
  • George Jenkins High School, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland
  • Highlands Grove Elementary, 4510 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland
  • Kathleen High School, 1100 Red Devil Way, Lakeland
  • R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School, 5500 Yates Road, Lakeland
  • Sleepy Hill Elementary School, 2285 Sleepy Hill Road, Lakeland
  • Mulberry Middle School, 500 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Mulberry
  • Lake Marion Creek Middle School, 3055 Lake Marion Creek Dr., Poinciana
  • Chain of Lakes Elementary School, 7001 Hwy. 653, Winter Haven
  • Winter Haven High School, 600 6th St. S.E., Winter Haven

Three pet friendly shelters will also be open noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

They are located at:

  • Haines City High School, 2800 Hornet Dr., Haines City
  • Lake Region High School, 1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake
  • Tenoroc High School, 4905 Saddle Creek Road, Lakeland

Pet owners must bring shot records for their pets, an airline-approved carrying case or crate and pet food.

Special Needs shelters will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, for those residents with special and/or medical needs. Special needs shelters are temporary emergency facilities capable of providing care to residents whose medical condition(s) may require the use of electrical equipment, oxygen or dialysis, or individuals with physical, cognitive or medical conditions who may require assistance from medical professionals. Although special needs shelters provide more care than a general shelter, they do not provide the level of care found in a medical facility.

The Special Needs shelters are located at:

  • FDOH Polk Specialty Care Unit, 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow
  • Ridge Community High School, 500 W. Orchid Dr., Davenport
  • McKeel Academy, 1810 W. Parker St., Lakeland

For the most up-to-date information, please monitor your local news media or call the Citizen’s Information Line at (863) 298-7500 (locally) or toll-free 866-661-0228.

HERNANDO COUNTY

Mandatory evacuation orders have been announced to start at 8am on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Residents seeking safe shelter are encouraged to arrive at their planned location by 12pm on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. 

Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for all areas west of US 19, which includes evacuation zones A, B, and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county wide, are included. Shelters should be utilized as a last resort. Residents are advised to seek shelter with family or friends that reside in a safe structure. If this is not a possibility, public shelters will open at 8am on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at the below addresses.

  • Challenger K-8
    13400 Elgin Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34609

o    Special Needs Clients

o    General Population

o    Pet Friendly

  • West Hernando Middle School
    14325 Ken Austin Pkwy., Brooksville, FL 34614

o    General Population

o    Pet Friendly

  • Enrichment Center
    800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601

o    General Population

o    Pet Friendly

*If you are needing the Special Needs Shelter and have a pet, transportation from either your house or shelter location for your pet is done through Animal Control with Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. Please call Hernando County Public Information Center (PIC) at 352-754-4083 to arrange pick up. The PIC is open 8am-5pm on Monday, 7am on Tuesday and then open 24/7 until further notice..

CITRUS COUNTY

A 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 is in order for all residents in Citrus County residing in campers, mobile homes, manufactured homes, or any structure not capable of withstanding sustained winds of up to 110MPH, beginning 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟴, 𝗮𝘁 𝟴𝗔𝗠. We encourage residents to prepare and take action NOW. There is still a 100-mile degree of error. Do not focus on the Tampa Bay area as the place of impact.

𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗧 𝟴𝗔𝗠 𝗧𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬:

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (General Population) - 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL 34434

𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (General Population) - 600 West Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (Special Needs) - 2927 North Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando, FL 34442

𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 (Pet Friendly) - 3630 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461

Citrus County Transit provides transportation at no cost to an open shelter or other safe location within Citrus County. To book transportation, please call: (352) 527-7630.