TAMPA, Fla. – As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, many Tampa Bay Area residents are preparing to evacuate.
Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday. The NHC says the risk of life-threatening impacts is increasing for parts of the west coast.
Some models are showing that the storm could directly hit the Bay Area. However, FOX 13 meteorologists say it is still too early to tell what the exact track will be.
Hernando County
Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for all areas west of US 19, which includes evacuation zones A, B, and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county wide, are included.
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Evacuation Zones A and B, and for all mobile homes and manufactured housing throughout the County starting at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7.
Manatee County
Evacuations of zones A, B and C – along with all mobile/manufactured homes and RVs – begin at 2 p.m. Monday.
Anna Maria Island
The City of Anna Maria says a mandatory evacuation of the island will be ordered at 12 p.m. tomorrow. City Hall is open on Sunday until 4 p.m. for re-entry tags.
Pasco County
Pasco County is under an order of local state emergency. Mandatory evacuations for zones A, B, C and residents in mobile homes, low-lying areas and flood prone are in effect, according to officials. Residents who are registered with Pasco as a Special Needs Resident, and everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss are under a voluntary evacuation.
Pinellas County
Pinellas County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in Zones A, B, and C and all mobile homes county-wide.
Sarasota County
A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for Levels A and B, along with all mobile or manufactured homes and people living on boats.