News Release

Aug. 29, 2023

Contact for Media Only 

(727) 464-3820 EOC PIO 

OncallPIO@pinellas.gov 

 Pinellas Update: Hurricane Idalia media briefing today at 10:30 a.m.

Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins to provide update 

  Pinellas County will hold media briefing at 10:30 a.m. Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins will discuss Hurricane Idalia’s forecasted impacts to Pinellas County. The briefing will be held via Zoom and can be accessed at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81884382106?pwd=UTQwdjl1enROWFpza2VEcnU5S2NhQT09. 

The media room at the EOC is also open to credentialed media, 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo. However, due to a recent uptick in COVID transmission, we are encouraging remote contact to the extent possible.  

Latest storm/incident developments   

• The National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded Idalia to a hurricane in its 5 a.m.update. 

• Pinellas County remains under Hurricane and Storm Surge warnings as Hurricane Idaliaapproaches Florida.  

• NWS expects tropical storm-force winds to impact Pinellas County early this evening until Wednesday afternoon. 

• Life-threatening storm surge and rainfall are still expected to cause flooding in low-lying and coastal areas. 

Shelter Update 

The following shelters are open as of 7 a.m.:

• Campbell Park Elementary School, 1051 7th Ave S, St. Petersburg  

• Carwise Middle School, 3301 Bentley Dr, Palm Harbor  

• Dunedin Highland Middle School (special needs), 70 Patricia Ave, Dunedin (special needs)  

• Gibbs High School (pets), 850 34th St S, St. Petersburg   

• John Hopkins Middle School in St. Petersburg (special needs), 701 16th St S, St. Petersburg  

• Largo High School (pets), 410 Missouri Ave, Largo  

• Lealman Innovation Academy, 4900 28th St N, Lealman  

• New Heights Elementary School, 3901 37th St N, St. Petersburg  

• Palm Harbor Middle School, 1800 Tampa Rd, Palm Harbor  

• Palm Harbor University High School (special needs and pets), 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor 

Residents can use the Know Your Zone map to find the closest open shelter to their address and their evacuation zone.  

Advice & Information for Residents  

• Monitor local news media, National Weather Service, disaster.pinellas.gov, Facebook @PinellasGov and Twitter @PinellasGov, search hashtag #PinellasIdalia. 

• Register for emergency alerts at pinellas.gov/alert-pinellas and download the Ready Pinellas app in the App Store or Google Play store for real-time storm updates.  

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

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