Hurricane Helene Update #2 September 26,  2024

UPDATE: September 26, (9:15 a.m.)

• Hurricane Helene: Pinellas County remains under a Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, Hurricane Watch, Flood Watch, and Tornado Watch. The biggest impacts are currently expected throughout the day on Thursday. Life threatening storm surge of five to eight feet will be possible across coastal areas of Pinellas County late Thursday evening into Friday morning. It is anticipated to be about 90 miles offshore with tropical storm force winds extending out 250 miles to the east. This puts Pinellas County on the dirty side of the storm.
  
  
• Flooding: We are expecting more flooding than in recent past storm events, including Idalia. Stay home and avoid travel through the duration of the storm.  Park on high ground. If flood water begins entering your home, shut off  water, gas service and electricity if possible. Stay home and don’t walk through flooded areas.
  
  
• Mandatory Evacuation and Shelters: Pinellas County has issued a mandatory evacuation for Zone A and all mobile home residents. Emergency response and rescue may not be available during the storm due to storm conditions and resources. The County has six open shelters:
  
  Dunedin Highland Middle: 70 Patricia Ave, Dunedin (special needs)
  Gibbs High: 850 34th St S, St. Petersburg (pet friendly)
  John Hopkins Middle: 701 16th St S, St. Petersburg (special needs)
  Largo High: 410 Missouri Ave, Largo (pet friendly)
  Lealman Innovation Academy: 4900 28th St N, Lealman
  Palm Harbor University High - Building 19: 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (special needs, pet friendly and general population)
  Palm Harbor University High - Main Building: 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (pet friendly)
  
  
• Solid Waste & Recycling update: Due to Hurricane Helene, we have suspended collections for Thursday and anticipate delays for Friday customers. Weather permitting, we plan to begin Thursday routes on Friday and work through the weekend. For the safety of the community, please refrain from placing anything at the curb for collections until the threat of high winds and flooding have passed. As new information becomes available this message will update, all City social media platforms will update and subscribe to DunediNews for updates directly to you email inbox.

• City Facilities and Programs: All City facilities will remain closed on Friday, September 27, including City parks, Causeway restrooms and the Marina. The Marina will remain closed to vehicles, golf carts, bicycles and pedestrians during and after the storm. Once the Marina is determined to be safe and free of debris, the Marina will reopen. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. All scheduled programs are also canceled. Public parks, the Library and Recreation facilities will reopen on Saturday, September 28.
  
  
• Electric Vehicles and Golf Carts: Make sure your electric vehicle (EV) is fully charged in anticipation of power outages. If you expect flooding from storm surge or rain, move your EV to high ground. It is unsafe to leave it inside the garage and in areas where there is storm surge. EVs have sealed battery packs, but if water breaches the seal, it could damage the battery cells and cause a fire.
  
  
• Bridges: There are currently no storm-related bridge closures, but Pinellas County locked three movable bridges, including the Dunedin Causeway bridge, at 8 p.m. Wednesday night in the closed position in advance of Hurricane Helene. The Dunedin Causeway bridges, Beckett Bridge in Tarpon Springs and Park Boulevard Bridge in Seminole will remain open to vehicle traffic, but will not open for boat traffic until conditions are clear following the storm.
  
  The Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Transportation will close the Sunshine Skyway bridge when wind speeds reach about 45 mph. The Gandy Bridge, Howard Frankland Bridge and/or Courtney Campbell Causeway will be closed if wave action makes travel unsafe.
  
  For ongoing road closure updates through the storm, check the Waze App or waze.com.