As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida, the Division of Emergency Management provided updated information on evacuations that officially began as of Friday morning.
Pinellas County was under a mandatory evacuation for zone A and those living in mobile homes. Manatee is under a voluntary evacuation for zone A.
As of 8:00 a.m., Hillsborough County was under mandatory evacuation for zone A and those with special needs.
Pasco County issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents living west of U.S. 19 and north of Fox Hollow Drive and west of Little Road. The mandatory evacuations include county residents with special needs, or who live in mobile or manufactured homes as well as RVs and those living in flood-prone areas.
Hernando County issued a mandatory evacuation for that living in zones A and B. Everyone living in a mobile home is also under a mandatory evacuation.
Residents of inland counties in the Tampa Bay area have yet to receive any mandates.
Leaving by air is becoming far more difficult as time passes. At least 13 flights have already been canceled out of Tampa International Airport, according to Tampa’s Fox 13. TIA has provided a link to check the status of outbound flights.
Pinellas County Human Services is coordinating with local partners to distribute evacuation transportation information for the homeless.
Transportation services begin on Friday at 2:00 p.m. and continue until 7:00 p.m. The service is available on Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Those taking advantage of the service will be transported to one of 6 shelters in the county.
A complete list of Bay Area evacuation information, including shelters in each county, can be found here.
