Latest Evacuation Orders Issued for Tampa Bay Area Ahead of Hurricane Ian
As Hurricane Ian approaches the Tampa Bay area, residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Evacuation orders have been issued for several counties in the area, with mandatory orders in place for specific zones.
In Citrus County, a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Zone A, which includes low-lying areas west of U.S. Highway 19 and some additional areas east of the highway. Residents in mobile homes, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles throughout the county are advised to voluntarily evacuate.
Hernando County has also issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in low-lying areas, manufactured homes, and those west of U.S. 19 in Zones A, B, and C. The evacuation is set to begin on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
In Hillsborough County, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Zone A and Zone B. The voluntary evacuation order for Zone B has been upgraded to mandatory, with evacuations beginning at 12 p.m. on Tuesday. All residents ordered to evacuate must be out by 9 p.m. on Tuesday night.
MacDill Air Force Base has issued an installation-wide mandatory evacuation for non-mission essential individuals, including uniformed service members, civilian employees, and their dependents assigned to the base who reside in Hillsborough County Evacuation Zones A and B.
Manatee County has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A and B, with a voluntary evacuation order for Zone C. Pasco County has also issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in Zone A, manufactured homes, mobile homes, and low-lying areas prone to flooding. Voluntary evacuations are in place for Zones B and C.
Pinellas County has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Zone A, including all mobile home residents, effective Monday at 6 p.m. Zones B and C are under mandatory evacuation orders starting Tuesday at 7 a.m. All residential healthcare facilities are also under mandatory evacuation orders.
Sarasota County has ordered evacuations for Level A, all mobile homes, and Level B residents.
It is important for residents to understand the difference between voluntary and mandatory evacuations. Voluntary evacuations are recommended for areas with a lower risk of storm surge, while mandatory evacuations are issued when there is a high probability of storm surge and potential loss of life. It is illegal to stay in a home under a mandatory evacuation order, and law enforcement has the authority to remove anyone who refuses to evacuate.
As Hurricane Ian approaches, it is crucial for residents to stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and prioritize their safety and the safety of their loved ones. Stay tuned for further updates and resources as the storm progresses.