ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hurricane Idalia is expected to produce heavy rainfall and impact a portion of Florida's west coast, the Panhandle and southeast region by the middle part of the week.
But before the storm's arrival, Florida officials are figuring out ways to make people's lives easier with their evacuations or preparations.
Speaking during a news conference Monday evening, Gov. Ron DeSantis provided the latest on the state's preparations and confirmed tolls will be waived in several counties beginning early Tuesday morning.
The governor directed the Florida Department of Transportation to waive tolls starting at 4 a.m. in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Pasco, Pinellas and Sumter counties.
"You don't need to leave the state, you don't need to drive hundreds of miles, you don't have to try to outrun the storm," DeSantis said. "If you get to a place that's higher ground in a safe structure, you can ride out the storm there and then go back to your home once the storm passes and all is clear."
The following facilities included in the toll suspensions are listed by county below.
Hillsborough County
- Interstate-4 Connector
- Selmon Expressway (State Road 618)
- Veterans Expressway (State Road 589)
- Suncoast Parkway (State Road 589)
Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties
- Suncoast Parkway (State Road 589)
Pinellas County
- Pinellas Bayway (State Road 679)
- Sunshine Skyway Bridge (U.S. 19)
Lake and Sumter counties and portions of Orange County
- Turnpike Mainline (Interstate-75 to I-4)
Tolls will be suspended for a seven-day period and be reinstated at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
“As Floridians along the west coast of Florida finalize their evacuation plans for Tropical Storm Idalia, we want to ensure there is no barrier to getting their families to a safe location,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue during the news conference. “The department is committed to ensuring travelers can get where they need to go as safely and efficiently as possible. Suspending tolls in the greater Tampa Bay region ensures families can head south and east with ease to get out of the storm’s direct path.”
Hurricane Idalia reached hurricane strength Tuesday morning as it continues a track into the Gulf of Mexico. Life-threatening storm surge and strong winds are becoming increasingly likely for parts of the Florida Gulf Coast.
Computer models have shifted the storm a tad farther away from the Tampa Bay coast, but it's important to stress small shifts will continue before the storm makes landfall — and parts of the region will still experience the "dirty" side of the system.
Hurricane-force wind is possible Tuesday into Wednesday, with a 4-12 foot storm surge from Tampa Bay northward. Heavy rainfall is likely, and there is the chance of tornadoes.
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