As Hurricane Milton intensifies, Pinellas County officials have announced the opening of two additional emergency shelters to accommodate evacuees. The newly activated facilities are located at Lealman Innovation Academy in St. Petersburg and Clearwater Fundamental Middle School.

With these additions, the county now offers eight shelter locations for residents seeking safe haven from the impending storm. The expanded network includes:

1. Lealman Innovation Academy (St. Petersburg) – General population

2. Clearwater Fundamental Middle School – General population

3. Largo High School – General population and pet-friendly

4. Gibbs High School (St. Petersburg) – General population and pet-friendly

5. Palm Harbor University High School – General population and pet-friendly

6. Palm Harbor University High School Building 19 – Special needs only

7. Dunedin Middle School – Special needs only

8. Oak Grove Middle School (Clearwater) – Special needs only

Residents can find real-time updates on shelter availability at disaster.pinellas.gov.

Mandatory Evacuation Orders

Officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for:

• Zones A, B, and C (including high-rise buildings)

• All mobile home parks countywide

• Residents with special needs

Authorities urge residents to be in their safe locations by Wednesday, before tropical storm-force winds arrive.

Transportation to Shelters

PSTA will provide free rides to mainland shelters until 7 p.m. today. Regular service, including barrier island routes, ends at 2 p.m. Pets are allowed on buses with certain restrictions. For PSTA service updates, call (727) 540-1900.

The State of Florida is also offering complimentary shelter shuttles. For details, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates or call 800-729-3413.

Pinellas County Information Center remains operational 24/7 at (727) 464-4333. Deaf or hard of hearing residents can access online chat support at www.bit.ly/PinellasChat.

Evacuation Preparation Guidelines

Residents are advised to:

• Verify their evacuation zone via www.disaster.pinellas.gov, the Ready Pinellas app, or by calling (727) 464-4333

• Pack essential items for shelter stays, including sleeping gear, clothing, medications, and personal items

• Secure homes and property before departure

• Fill gas tanks and obtain cash

• Assist neighbors with preparations

Stay Informed

To receive the latest updates:

• Monitor local news and National Weather Service broadcasts

• Follow @PinellasGov on Facebook and Twitter

• Track #PCMilton for real-time information

• Sign up for emergency alerts at www.pinellas.gov/alert-pinellas

• Download the Ready Pinellas app for iOS or Android

As Hurricane Milton approaches, Pinellas County officials stress the importance of heeding evacuation orders and staying informed about rapidly changing conditions.