TAMPA, Fla. — Helene is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rains and storm surge to the Tampa Bay area. Evacuation orders have been given ahead of the storm.

Some roads and bridges will start to see increased traffic due to evacuations. Our Real-Time Traffic Map will help you check the roads before you head out and before you return home.

Use our Real-Time Traffic Map below to check on the status of the roads near you.

FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATES

JUST IN: The westbound and eastbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Causeway have reopened. Tampa Bay bridges and causeways between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, as well as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, are all now open in both directions. 

FRIDAY MORNING/AFTERNOON UPDATES

JUST IN: Access to Snell isle and Shore Acres is now open. 

JUST IN: All lanes of the Sunshine Skway Bridge are now open.

JUST IN: The northbound lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge have reopened. Southbound lanes remain closed at this time.

JUST IN: The Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) from Hillsborough County to Pinellas County is now open with lane restrictions in both directions.

JUST IN: The Gandy Bridge is reopening, westbound and eastbound lanes are now open.

THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATES

MANATEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT: Due to rising surge on the gulf islands of 3-5 feet, rescue units are unable to respond to emergencies. If you still have an emergency please call 9-1-1. We are prioritizing those calls and will respond when it safe to do so.

JUST IN: The Tampa Police Department is advising residents and visitors that roadways leading to and from Davis Islands are currently experiencing flooding due to the heavy rainfall. 

While access to Tampa General Hospital remains open, motorists are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to the area.

JUST IN: Per the Florida Highway Patrol, the Gandy Bridge is now closed as a result of high winds and storm surge. Motorists should seek alternate travel routes and if not absolutely necessary remain off the highways.

Please be safe and remember to check FL511 for all road and bridge closure information.JUST IN: The Courtney Campbell Causeway is CLOSED as a result of high winds and storm surge. Motorists should seek alternate travel routes and if not absolutely necessary remain off the highways.

JUST IN: Eastbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell are shutting down now because of wind-whipped waves from Helene. Westbound lanes likely to follow.

JUST IN: The Florida Highway Patrol has determined that the Howard Frankland Bridge is now CLOSED as a result of high winds and storm surge. Motorists should seek alternate travel routes and if not absolutely necessary remain off the highways.

JUST IN: The Florida Highway Patrol announced shortly before 1:45 p.m. that the Sunshine Skyway Bridge will be closed.

In a statement, an FHP spokesperson said: "As weather conditions continue to deteriorate and wind gusts have reached 60 MPH, the Florida Highway Patrol is closing the Skyway Bridge at this time.  Motorists are requested to seek alternate routes, do not drive through flooded roadways, and unless absolutely necessary stay off Bay Area roadways."

Photo from FHP

SEE ALSO: Following guidance from the U.S. Coast Guard, Pinellas County plans to lock its three movable bridges in the closed position at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in advance of Hurricane Helene. The Dunedin Causeway bridges, Beckett Bridge in Tarpon Springs and Park Boulevard Bridge in Seminole will remain open to vehicle traffic, but will not open for boat traffic until conditions are clear following the storm.

Owners of high clearance boats that need to move them to a more secure location before the storm should do so before the bridges close tonight.

The Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Transportation will close the Sunshine Skyway bridge when wind speeds reach about 45 mph. The Gandy Bridge, Howard Frankland Bridge and/or Courtney Campbell Causeway will be closed if wave action makes travel unsafe.

SEE ALSO: The Florida Division of Emergency Management has partnered to provide free rides to state-approved shelters (up to $35 rides) in counties under a state of emergency for Helene. Open the Uber app, tap Account and Wallet, and add promo code HELENERELIEF