The Clock Is Running As Tampa Preps, Flees Milton

TAMPA -- Time is running out to prepare for the arrival of monster Milton.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon in much of the Tampa Bay area.

Here are some updates on storm prep: (check back for updates)

Tampa International Airport is officially closed. The airport shut down as of 9 a.m. St. Pete - Clearwater airport is due to shut down after Tuesday's last flight.

Hillsborough County Schools will remain closed through Friday, as will Sarasota County Schools.

St. Petersburg officials say they will need to shut down the Northeast and Southwest Sewer Treatment Facilities, meaning residents won't be able to use toilet, showers or laundry. It could take up to 24 hours to restore service. City of Tampa officials say they don't expect to shut down sewage.

In Hillsborough, State emergency managers are offering bus rides to shelters from 7 am to 7 pm today (Tuesday).

Bus 10: Northwest Hillsborough/Tampa

A- Winn-Dixie, 13016 Race Track Rd., Tampa, FL 7-9:30 a.m.

B- ALDI, 10419 Sheldon Road, Tampa, FL 9:30-11 a.m.

Bus 11: City of Tampa

A- Publix, 2724 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 7-9:30 a.m.

B- Publix, 2401 W Azeele St., Tampa, FL 9:30-11 a.m.

C- Publix, 4315 W Gandy Blvd., Tampa, FL 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Bus 12: City of Tampa

A- Publix, 6001 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 7-9:30 a.m.

B- Publix, 1105 E Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 9:30-11 a.m.

Bus 13: City of Tampa

A- Publix, 11502 N 53rd St, Temple Terrace, FL 7-9:30 a.m.

B- Publix, 5450 E Busch Blvd., Temple Terrace, FL 9:30-11 a.m.

Bus 14: South-Central Hillsborough County

A- Winn-Dixie, 6929 U.S. 301, Riverview, FL 7-9:30 a.m.

B- Publix, 13154 U.S. 301, Riverview, FL 9:30-11 a.m.

C- Winn-Dixie, 1023 S Tamiami Trail, Ruskin, FL 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Bus 15: Eastern Hillsborough County

A- Publix, 2515 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City, FL 7-9:30 a.m.

B- Winn-Dixie, 205 W Alexander St, Plant City, FL 9:30-11 a.m.

In addition to the state bus service, the Hillsborough Transit Authority

(HART) is offering free bus service to shelters until 8 p.m. today.

Here are the Hillsborough shelters open:

General population, pet friendly shelters:

Burnett Middle School (pet friendly), 1010 N. Kingsway Rd., Seffner, FL 33584

Durant High School (pet friendly), 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City, FL 33567

Middleton High School (pet friendly), 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33610

Shields Middle School (pet friendly), 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573

Sickles High School (pet friendly), 7950 Gunn Hwy., Tampa, FL 33626

General population, no pet shelter:

Pizzo Elementary School, 11701 USF Bull Run Dr., Tampa, FL 33617

Special needs, pet friendly shelters:

Erwin Technical College (special needs only, pet friendly), 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33610

Sumner High School (special needs only, pet friendly), 10650 County Rd. 672, Riverview, FL 33579

Strawberry Crest High School (special needs only, pet friendly), 4691 Gallagher Rd., Dover, FL 33527

Pinellas County has added two new shelters, bringing the total to eight:

  • Lealman Innovation Academy, 4900 28th St N, St. Petersburg (general population)
  • Clearwater Fundamental Middle School, 1660 Palmetto St, Clearwater (general population)
  • Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo (general population & pet friendly) 
  • Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S. St. Petersburg (general population & pet friendly) 
  • Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (general population & pet friendly) 
  • Palm Harbor University High School Bldg. 19 (special needs only) 
  • Dunedin Middle School, 70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin (special needs only) 
  • Oak Grove Middle School, 1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater (special needs only)  

Manatee County shut off all water service to Anna Maria Island as of 10 am Tuesday.

Sarasota County has extended its evacuation order to Level C, which already covered zones A and B plus manufactured communities and mobile or boat homes. Riverview High School is no longer an evacuation center. Centers open at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

If you have a cruise out of Port Tampa Bay, don't plan on it. The Coast Guard has imposed Port Condition Zulu on Port Tampa Bay, effective 8 a.m. Tuesday, with inbound and outbound ship traffid closed. '

Cruise ship passengers should contact their cruise lines for more info:

  • Carnival Cruise Line: 1-800-764-7419
  • Margaritaville at Sea: 1-800-814-7100
  • Royal Caribbean International: 1-800-256-6649

USF says Friday night's football game against Memphis has been moved to a Saturday 3:30 kickoff at Raymond James Stadium.

Photo: Getty Images


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