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Pinellas County residents should shelter in place as storm conditions worsen in their area due to Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 hurricane is bringing storm surge flooding, tropical storm force winds, rain, fallen trees and power lines.

Storm surge of up to 8 feet is expected today, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Pinellas County has issued a mandatory evacuation for Zone A and all mobile homes across the county.

SEE GRAPHIC BELOW OF FORECASTED STORM SURGE THROUGHOUT TODAY.

Six shelters are open, including pet-friendly and special needs shelters.

Check your Evacuation Zone

Shelter list

View potential storm surge risk

The Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center is monitoring Hurricane Helene. We will update this page, our Facebook and X pages, and our partners in local media regularly. Check for updates at least every 6-12 hours as storm forecasts and guidance can change quickly.

In the case of a fire, police or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. 

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Information

Hurricane Helene Updates

  • Pinellas County residents should shelter in place as storm conditions worsen in their area due to Hurricane Helene. The Category 3 hurricane is bringing storm surge flooding, tropical storm force winds, rain, fallen trees and power lines.
  • If water begins to enter your home, shut off your electricity and gas, and climb to the highest point possible, but make sure you have an escape route.
  • If you lose power and use a generator, set it up in a well-ventilated location outside, away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Never use a generator in a garage, even with the door open, because the exhaust can poison you with carbon monoxide. Water-damaged power outlets can cause fires. Keep your power off after home flooding until an electrician can inspect. 
  • Call 911 only in a life-threatening emergency.
  • Pinellas County has issued a mandatory evacuation for Zone A and all mobile homes across the county.
  • Pinellas County remains under a Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, Hurricane Watch, Tornado Watch and Flood Watch. High winds are expected throughout the county. The biggest impacts are expected on Thursday, Sept. 26, with dangerous storm surge impacts continuing after the storm exits the area.
  • View potential storm surge risk: Use our Storm Surge Risk Viewer to see the potential storm surge flooding in Pinellas County based on the latest predicted forecast from the National Hurricane Center. The tool shows how high the water will be above the ground, not above the finished floor of your home. Each building owner will need to determine their specific risk.
  • For storm questions, call the County Information Center at 727-464-4333. For the latest forecast information, see hurricanes.gov and weather.gov/tampa.
  • Updates will be posted on this page, sent out via Alert Pinellas and Ready Pinellas, and on Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov

Evacuation Orders: Mandatory evacuation order in place for Zone A and all mobile homes. Check your evacuation zone.

Public Shelters: View open shelters

County Information Center: Open 24 hours – Call (727) 464-4333 or use live chat on this website.

Special needs transportation: Registration for new special needs transportation requests is now closed. View more information.

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Public Shelters

View this list of public shelters to see the status of general, special needs, and pet-friendly shelters.

If you need to go to a shelter, pack essentials but pack light. Space is limited. View our list of items we recommend you bring.

Special Needs Evacuation Program

Pinellas County has ended registration for new special needs transportation requests. Residents with special medical needs can still go to a special needs shelter but will need to arrange their own transportation.

Residents are encouraged to reach out to friends or neighbors for help getting transportation to a shelter before weather conditions become dangerous.

Closures

  • Pinellas County Government offices and County parks and preserves are closed to the public Thursday, Sept. 26, and will remain closed Friday while many employees respond to Hurricane Helene impacts. The closure includes all departments under the County Administrator, the Clerk’s Office, Tax Collector’s Office and Property Appraiser’s office.  
  • County offices will reopen Monday, Sept. 30, if conditions are safe. Information about the reopening of County parks will be announced after staff assess damages and cleanup needs. The latest information can always be found on this webpage.
  • Check with your hauler or municipality for information about trash pickup.
  • St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) have suspended all flights. Both airports anticipate reopening on Friday, Sept. 27. Check with your airline for flight status updates.

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Hurricane Debby Recovery

FEMA Assistance

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is now available to Pinellas County residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Debby. Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused expenses. Eligible residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The deadline to apply is Oct. 9, 2024.

Help is available in most languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

Legal Help

Disaster survivors with any disaster-related legal issues may reach out to the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline to apply for free legal assistance from anywhere in the state. Call 833-514-2940 to apply for assistance.

SBA Loans (businesses, nonprofits & residents)

  • Businesses and residents may be eligible for Physical or Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). For more details, visit SBA.gov.
  • Businesses & nonprofits: For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by Hurricane Debby. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. The deadline for economic injury applications is May 12, 2025.
  • Homeowners & renters: Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. The deadline to apply for physical property damage is Oct. 9, 2024.

Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans (businesses only)

The State of Florida has launched the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program. These loans offer up to $50,000 per applicant. Apply online through the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund. For additional questions, businesses can call (833) 832-4494 or email EmergencyBridgeLoan@commerce.fl.gov  All applications must be submitted online.

What to Do with Used Sandbags

You can reuse clean sandbags, but do not throw contaminated sandbags in your trash can or dump them on the beach. You can bring used sandbags, separated from other waste, to the Solid Waste Disposal Complex. More information at: pinellas.gov/sandbags