Hurricane Milton Update No. 7
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 8, 2024) - The Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) is offering bus service in Hillsborough County to take residents to emergency shelters.
Buses will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can call (800) 729-3413 for evacuation assistance.
This is the bus schedule for Tuesday, Oct. 8:
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.
Below is the list of shelters that are open to residents:
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
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 up 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 here - hcfl.gov/residents/animals-and-pets/pet-ownership/pet-disaster-planning.
Residents can confirm evacuation zones and register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official public notification system, at HCFL.gov/StaySafe.
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/StaySafe. Residents without digital access are encouraged to call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676, the County's storm information and help line.