Hurricane Milton Update No. 9
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 8, 2024) - Hillsborough County is opening two more shelters for those residents in mandatory evacuation zones, as well as those whose homes are vulnerable to storm surge and flooding, and those that may be more susceptible to wind damage. This brings the total to eight general public shelters and three special-needs shelters opened in advance of Hurricane Milton's expected arrival.
Residents in Evacuation Zones A and B, and all mobile and manufactured homes should be in a safe location no later than 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
The new shelters will open at 7 p.m. today at the following locations.
- Reddick Elementary School, 325 W. Lake Dr., Wimauma, FL 33598
- Steinbrenner High School (pet friendly), 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33558
The following shelters are already open:
- 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
- Pizzo Elementary School, (NOT pet friendly) 11701 USF Bull Run Dr., Tampa, FL 33617
- Shields Middle School (pet friendly), 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573 (Shields is at capacity)
- Sickles High School (pet friendly), 7950 Gunn Hwy., Tampa, FL 33626
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
The special-needs shelters are only for residents with medical issues that require electricity assistance or who have cognitive issues that would not be supported in a general population shelter.
Residents bringing pets to one of the pet-friendly shelters need to bring a sturdy carrier for each pet that allows room for the pet to stand and move around, as well as a collar with a leash and supplies for each pet to last seven days. More information on how residents can prepare their pets can be found at hcfl.gov/residents/animals-and-pets/pet-ownership/pet-disaster-planning.
Find your evacuation zone here.
Get Connected. Stay Alert.
Make sure to have a plan. Residents and visitors are encouraged to register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert. For the latest emergency-related information visit HCFL.gov/StaySafe. Residents without digital access are encouraged to call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676, the County's storm information and helpline.