Storm update from Indian Shores Police Chief Richard Swann, and tips on Electric Vehicle safety during a potential flood event.
Hurricane Helene Updates
UPDATE: As of 3PM today, Hurricane Helene has entered the Gulf and is starting to strengthen. The storm is predicted to continue to strengthen throughout the night and could become a Cat 3-Cat 4 before it makes landfall. The current projected path continues to show Helene tracking West of our area. This storm is large and is about 400 miles in width. We will likely experience higher than normal tides and tropical storm strength winds as soon as tonight. By 9AM in the morning and throughout the day and night tomorrow, tides will range from 5-10 feet above normal, which means extensive flooding in both towns is extremely likely.
We continue to coordinate our preparations with our local EM and FD partners and have staged a number of our emergency assets off the island. Our high-water assets are available but will be removed from the island if the water rises above safe operational levels. We have additional PD staff on tonight through Friday, and we will remain operational as long as it is safe to do so. The County issued an evacuation for all of ZONE A including the Barrier Island this morning. They opened several shelters and have been evacuating special needs residents all day. Tampa International Airport is closing at 2AM and it will remain closed Thursday through Friday.
We will begin activating our emergency evacuation siren system at 6PM tonight through 10PM and begin again at 6PM in the morning!
We will continue to provide updates as they develop.
Check your Evacuation Zone
View your storm surge risk here.
Shelter list
More updates will be posted at disaster.pinellas.gov, sent out via Alert Pinellas and Ready Pinellas, and on Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov
County Information Center: Open – Call (727) 464-4333 or use live chat on this website.
Special needs assistance: To register, call (727) 464-4333.
Download the Ready Pinellas emergency planning app on the Apple App Store or Google Play
Sign up for emergency notifications through Alert Pinellas
Electric Vehicle Safety
The following tips can help ensure your safety and protect your electric vehicle during a potential flood event.
