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Live blog: Dangerous Hurricane Irma threatens Tampa Bay
Live coverage of Hurricane Irma, a major storm that devastated many Caribbean islands is now threatening Florida and Tampa Bay. This is coverage from the team at the Tampa Bay Times with latest updates on the storm.
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Find your Tampa Bay hurricane evacuation zone map
As various evacuations are ordered in the counties in the Tampa Bay area, you may be looking for your zone. Here are downloadable PDF maps for the following counties:
Pinellas County Hurricane Evacuation Zone Map and Shelters
Hillsborough County Hurricane Evacuation Zone Map and Shelters
Pasco County Hurricane Evacuation Zone Map and Shelters
Hernando County Hurricane Evacuation Zone Map and Shelters
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Correction: Northside Baptist Church in St. Pete is not a shelter
Northside Baptist Church in St. Petersburg is not an emergency evacuation shelter. It was incorrectly included on a list of shelters in Thursday's Tampa Bay Times. For the correct list of shelters, click here.
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2 p.m. update: Hurricane Irma still a strong Category 5 storm
Hurricane Irma has maintained its Category status as it passes between the north coast of Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds near 175 mph.Irma is located about 65 miles north-northeast of the Dominican Republic and is moving west-northwest at 16 mph.The storm is forecast to move across the southeastern Bahamas by tonight and be near the central Bahamas by Friday.Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185
miles (295 km).- Times staff -
Watch live as traffic heads north on Florida's highways
You can see heavy traffic headed north with the approach of Hurricane Irma thanks to the state's system of live highway cameras.Click an icon on the interactive state map to see the view from one of hundreds of cameras along roads including Interstate 75 and Florida's Turnpike. -
VA's Haley hospital closing outpatient services Monday
From the veterans administration:The James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics Main Hospital and all clinics will remain open and operating according to their normal schedules through Saturday, Sept. 9. However, on Monday, Sept. 11 all outpatient services, including elective services and procedures are cancelled and all outpatient clinics will be closed.The Outpatient Pharmacy will remain open until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 10. Any questions should be direct to your Primary Care Team.If Veterans have questions or concerns, the Health Resource Disaster Hotline is 1-800-507-4571. For information on local shelters, evacuation plans and more, please visit this site. We will update you as the situation develops. -
Special state escort for fuel trucks headed to stations
Determined to make sure evacuees fleeing Irma can fill thirsty gas tanks, Gov. Rick Scott has directed the Florida Highway Patrol to escort fuel trucks to filling stations.
"We're getting them there as safely and efficiently as possible," said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, a spokesman for the patrol.
In a video Gaskins tweeted Thursday afternoon, a trooper in a marked SUV with lights flashing trails a convoy of trucks leaving the port of Tampa Bay. The trucks were headed to filling stations in Gainesville, Gaskins said.- Tony Marrero
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Hillsborough County Tax Collector offices close due to Hurricane Irma
From Hillsborough County Tax Collector:TAMPA, FL - (September 7, 2017) - Hillsborough County Tax Collector offices will be closed tomorrow, Friday, September 8th and Monday, September 11th dueto the severe weather conditions. The Tax Collector urges residents toprepare as Hurricane Irma approaches Florida. "Keeping our employees and customers out of harm's way is our main priority" Belden said. We plan to resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 12th. We will notify the public immediately if there are any changes.For information about our office and online services provided by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector, visit us at www.hillstax.org. You can also stay connected via Facebook and Twitter. -
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List of Pinellas shelters. @TB_Times #TBTIrma https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJJGjzFW4AAXPIL.jpg
by Mark Puente via twitter 9/7/2017 6:43:32 PM -
Tampa Bay breweries offer free water for Hurricane Irma prep
One thing Tampa Bay's numerous craft breweries have in abundance, aside some from delicious beer, is the essential beer-making ingredient of filtered water.
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Need help boarding up windows? There's an on-demand handyman app for that
Tampa Bay TimesIf you can't find someone to help put up plywood at your house quickly, there's another option. Homee, a Tampa-based on-demand property maintenance provider, says it ready to help Florida homeowners prepare for Hurricane Irma. -
Buses will not run in Pinellas County on Sunday
Buses and other public transit will not run Sunday in Pinellas County as the area prepares for Hurricane Irma. -
How to use the internet in a hurricane when the internet is down
The flashlights and batteries are at the ready. The water and canned food is stocked. The sandbags are filled. -
by C.T. Bowen via twitter 9/7/2017 7:06:33 PM
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St. Pete-Clearwater Airport to close Friday because of Irma
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close at 11 a.m. Friday because of Pinellas County evacuation orders.
The airport, which is located 14700 Terminal Parkway in Clearwater, is in flood zone A, which is under a mandatory evacuation, according to a press release.
Allegiant Air, the regional airport’s dominant carrier, will continue with flights scheduled before 11 a.m. on Friday. After that, all flights will be suspended and cancelled, said Michele Routh, a spokeswoman at the airport.
It is unclear when the airport will resume operations, Routh said, but it won’t be until at least weather conditions improve and evacuation orders are lifted. Passengers should check in with the airlines about rescheduling flights. -
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As Hurricane Irma shifts east, Tampa Bay area still at risk
Tampa Bay isn't out of the woods yet.As Category 5 Hurricane Irma's track moves east, experts say there is still a slight chance one of the most dangerous storms in years could scoot closer to Florida's west coast. And no matter the track, which could still change over the next few days, the area will likely experience strong winds from the massive storm. -
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To clarify. bring your pet, but plan to stay with it. #TBTIrma twitter.com/PascoCountyPIO…by C.T. Bowen via twitter 9/7/2017 8:07:19 PM
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Hillsborough County offices to be closed Friday, Monday
From the Emergency Operations Center:Due to the anticipation of inclement weather from Hurricane Irma, Hillsborough County government offices will be closed Friday, Sept. 8, and Monday, Sept. 11.Offices will reopen at their normal scheduled times on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
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 HCFLGov.net/StaySafe. For more information, call (813) 272-5900. -
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5 p.m. update: Strong Irma heads for the Bahamas
Hurricane Irma has maintained its category status as it passes near the Turks and Caicos Islands and heads for the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds near 175 mph.
Irma is located about 40 miles south of Grand Turk Island and 65 miles north-northwest of Great Inagua Island and is moving west-northwest at 16 mph.
The eye of should continue to move between Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands this evening. The core of the hurricane will then move between the north coast of Cuba and the Bahamas during the next day or two.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km).
- Times staff -
Airbnb offering help for people displaced by Irma
Airbnb wants to help people in Florida who are being displaced because of Hurricane Irma.
The online home-sharing website’s disaster response program allows residents who’ve had to evacuate from their homes and emergency relief workers and volunteers who are coming into disaster areas to help, find temporary housing with local Airbnb hosts free of charge.
Airbnb hosts in the the following Florida and Georgia communities are eligible to take part in the program and list their homes for free to evacuees and emergency relief workers.
In Florida: Leon County, Calhoun County, Franklin County, Jackson County, Liberty County, Gadsden County, Gulf County, Wakulla County, Madison County, Jefferson County and Taylor County.In Georgia: Decatur County, Grady County and Thomas County.
The free listings are available in these areas until Sept. 28. In addition to the nightly rate, all taxes and fees are also waived. Available rooms can be found at airbnb.com/disaster.
Airbnb hosts who participate will not receive any payment. Hosts can choose how long they’d like to offer their homes or rooms in their homes for free during the given timeframe.
The idea for Airbnb’s disaster relief program began in 2012 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and has since grown into a global disaster response initiative, according to a press release. The program has been activated 75 times around the world, including during Hurricane Matthew in Florida last year.
— Justine Griffin, Times staff writer
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Pasco County government offices
Most Pasco County government offices will be open Friday, though some non-essential services may close if weather deteriorates. Scheduled closings include all public schools, the courts, offices of Clerk & Comptroller Paula S. O’Neil, elderly nutrition sites, and animal services, which will close at 11 a.m.
County parks and the offices of Tax Collector Mike Fasano will close Saturday. County-owned SunWest Park is closed until further notice. City of New Port Richey parks will close Sunday.
The Pasco County Public Transportation buses will operate, rider should expect delays. The bus service will cease if winds reach 39 mph.
The county also reversed an earlier decision and opted to allow commercial haulers to provide regularly scheduled curbside trash and recycling pick-up service Friday and Saturday.
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by Marlene Sokol via twitter 9/7/2017 9:38:41 PM -
Businesses throughout Tampa Bay shut down early as Hurricane Irma nears
As Hurricane Irma continues to barrel toward Florida, many Tampa Bay area businesses are packing up and closing up shop. There are a few outliers — retailers from Publix to Walmart will stay open as long as possible to continue selling supplies to residents who won't evacuate. (Publix is closing stores in South Florida, however.)
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Preparations were under way Thur to make Sessums Elementary a storm shelter. Pictures are from the Hillsborough County schools. #tbtIrma https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJJvcTYXkAAI7kL.jpg">https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJJvaVbXUAA4Pf9.jpg
by Marlene Sokol via twitter 9/7/2017 9:42:41 PM -
Preparations were under way Thur to make Sessums Elementary a storm shelter. Pictures are from the Hillsborough County schools. #tbtIrma https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJJvcTYXkAAI7kL.jpg">https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJJvaVbXUAA4Pf9.jpg
by Marlene Sokol via twitter 9/7/2017 9:42:41 PM -
[Getty Images] FLORIDA-NORTHERN COLORADO GAME CANCELED
The Florida Gators' home game against Northern Colorado has been canceled because of Hurricane Irma.
"As the Hurricane's track has approached the state of Florida, it's become obvious that playing a football game is not the right thing to do," said Florida Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. "The focus of our state and region needs to be on evacuations and relief efforts. There is a tremendous amount of stress currently on the roads of this state, and the availability of gas, water and other supplies are at critical levels. Playing a college football game Saturday would only add to that stress.
"Gainesville is also close to some of Florida's heaviest traffic points this week, specifically Interstate 75, which is a key statewide evacuation route."
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Relatives await word from Tampa mother, daughter stuck in Puerto Rico before Irma
TAMPA — Rosita Chisem hasn't heard from her aunt, Pauline Jackson, or cousin, Samantha Jackson, since Hurricane Irma brushed past the northern coast of Puerto Rico. -
Military sends planes and ships packing ahead of Irma's arrival
Local military and Coast Guard aircraft and vessels, some of which participated in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, are being moved out of the area in advance of Hurricane Irma.
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