PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — On Wednesday evening, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key on Florida's Gulf Coast.
10 Tampa Bay is compiling this guidance and other local information into county-specific guides. We will keep you updated with the latest information as recovery efforts continue. Here's what you need to know for Pinellas County:
FORECAST
See the continuing forecast for the area here. Find the latest weather alerts here.
WATER SERVICE
The City of St. Petersburg has lifted the citywide boil water advisory issued during Hurricane Milton. Residents and businesses in St. Petersburg, Lealman, and South Pasadena can now resume normal water usage.
The boil water notice for the City of Gulfport was lifted on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
St. Petersburg sewers are operational.
DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
A Disaster Recovery Center is opening at the Florida Botanical Gardens, located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo, starting Monday. The center will be in the gardens' Magnolia Room and will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At the center, residents will get information and guidance on disaster assistance programs, help applying for federal aid, translation and accessibility services, status updates and more.
FEMA will be joined by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the Florida Department of Commerce, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Insurance Regulation and Florida Department of Children and Families with Hope Florida Navigators at the center.
In addition, a Multiagency Recovery Center opens Monday at the Enoch D. Davis Center, located at 1111 18th Ave. S in St. Petersburg. The center will be open from 1-7 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, providing many of the same services as the Disaster Recovery Center.
Officials say it's a good idea to bring ID, proof of residence, insurance and any documentation of disaster-related losses.
EVACUATIONS
Evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents are still being asked to avoid unnecessary travel with numerous hazards on the road.
SHELTERS
You can find a list of all the shelters and their status here. County officials say it's important to be sure a location is open before arriving since they operate on an as-needed basis.
"Special needs only" locations are for "residents whose medical condition may require the use of electrical equipment, oxygen, dialysis, or individuals with physical, cognitive, or medical conditions that may require assistance from medical professionals." These locations do not provide continuous bedside nursing.
Comfort stations
The city announced three temporary comfort and charging stations that will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
- Frank Pierce Recreation Center, 2000 7th St. S
- Childs Park Recreation Center, 4301 13th Ave. S
- Roberts Recreation Center, 1246 50th Ave. N
There will be bottled water, battery packs, clean-up kits, storage bins and tarps while supplies lasts.
Pinellas County and the Florida Division of Emergency Management are establishing Multi-agency Resource Centers (MARCs) with storm recovery services at two locations
- Enoch D. Davis Center, 1111 18th Avenue S., St. Petersburg
- Dunedin City Hall, 737 Louden Avenue
The St. Petersburg site opening on Oct. 15 will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Dunedin site opens Thursday at 1 p.m. and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. thereafter.
Any changes to the schedules will be updated at disaster.pinellas.gov.
The MARCs will be staffed with personnel from federal, state and regional partners to ensure that residents impacted by hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby have access to helpful resources. Among the steps residents will be able to take are:
- Receiving guidance on applying for FEMA Individual Assistance through Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists.
- Request assistance from nonprofit and state partners for food, water, housing and more through Hope Florida navigators.
- Meet with a representative from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to inquiry about storm recovery resources for the disabled.
- Apply for a replacement driver’s license or ID through a representative with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
These centers are in addition to the centrally located Disaster Recovery Center/MARC that is open at the Florida Botanical Gardens, Magnolia Room, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, which offers expanded services.
When visiting a MARC or DRC/MARC, it’s a good idea to bring identification, proof of residence, insurance information, and any documentation related to your disaster-related losses to facilitate the application process and ensure you receive the appropriate assistance.
Residents can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA app or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
FREE SUPPLIES, RESOURCES
As Tampa Bay communities start to recover from Hurricane Milton, Walmart stores around the region are doing their part to help mobilize relief efforts. Here's where you can get free supplies in Pinellas County:
You can stay up to date with the nearest Walmart resources on their website.
HOSPITALS
HCA Florida Largo Hospital said on Facebook that it is transferring patients to other hospitals.
The hospital has established a patient reunification hotline at 844-482-4821.
The hospital is still closed as of Oct. 15 but HCA Florida Largo West Hospital is open and operating.
POWER
Residents should have their power restored by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday with many people having is restored before then, according to Duke Energy.
Reporting Property Damage
Residents and business owners who have suffered property damage are asked to document that damage and speak with their insurance providers.
Damage reports can be made to the county with the following forms.
Residential Debris Drop Off
Drop-off sites for residential storm debris reopened on Friday, Oct. 11. Only unincorporated residents will be allowed to use the sites and identification is required. They will accept debris from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice.
- 13600 Icot Boulevard in Clearwater
- Corner of Keystone Road and East Lake Road in East Lake
Debris Pickup
Debris collection in unincorporated areas of the county will resume in the following communities starting this week:
- Feather Sound
- Crystal Beach
- Unincorporated Tarpon Springs
- Baywood Village
- Unincorporated Gulfport
- Harbor Bluffs
- Harbor Hills
- Eastern Lealman
Debris Collection Map
The city of St. Petersburg has launched a new, interactive map to help resident with real-time updates on debris cleanup across the city.
You can find the map by clicking here.
CLOSINGS
Schools
You can find the latest school closings here.
County parks, offices, recreation centers
N/A
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
PSTA suspended services on Wednesday, October 9. It said it hopes to restore bus services starting Saturday, October 12.
Department of Health
Offices in the county closed on Monday, October 7, until further notice.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
The airport terminal reopened on the morning of Saturday, October 12, at 4:30 a.m. The airport said to check with your airlines for flight information.
Bridges
All bridges have reopened.
