Hillsborough County Opens Emergency Shelters: Tropical Storm Eta

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County is under a state of local emergency as of Wednesday morning because of Tropical Storm Eta, according to Hillsborough County officials.

There has been a significant shift in the track and an intensification of Eta, county officials said.

No evacuations have been issued in Hillsborough County but the county will open five emergency storm shelters starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

The shelters are intended only for residents who are dependent on electricity for home medical needs, or who live in homes and manufactured housing that are susceptible to wind damage.

Wherever possible, residents should consider other alternatives to a public shelter, such as staying with friends, family, or in a hotel, officials recommended.

The following shelters are available for local residents:

• Steinbrenner High School (pet-friendly), 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
• Burnett Middle School (pet-friendly), 1010 N. Kingsway Road
• Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St.
• Reddick Elementary School, 325 West Lake Drive
• Sickles High School (pet-friendly) and Family Shelter, 7950 Gunn Highway

Coronavirus Safety Precautions At Shelters:

COVID-19, health screenings and temperature checks will be conducted at the door of each shlter.

Face coverings will be required to be worn while inside. In addition to face coverings and hand sanitizer, residents should bring only essential items including the following:

• Bedding
• Clothing
• Toiletries
• Medications
• Special dietary foods
• Baby supplies
• Important paperwork
• Cards, books and games can help pass the time, especially for young children.

Pet Safety:

Residents bringing pets to a pet-friendly shelter must bring a sturdy carrier for each pet that allows room for the pet to stand up and move around, proof of current rabies vaccination and license for dogs and cats, and pet supplies including:

• Food
• Water
• Litter
• Treats
• Cleaning Supplies
• Medications

The pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.

Residents and visitors should continue to pay attention to weather forecasts and make decisions accordingly.

Finalize storm preparedness plans and disaster kit contents. Hillsborough County's Disaster Preparedness Guide, accessed via HCFLGov.net/StaySafe, and contains comprehensive information on how to prepare for any hazard.

Follow These Safety Precautions For Eta, Provided By Hillsborough County Officials:

• Don't drive through moving or standing water.
• Water that is 2 feet deep candisable most vehicles.
• Treat non-functioning traffic signals as a four-way stop.
• Stay away from downed power lines and cables. Do not attempt to drive over or around lines; they may be live.
• If power goes out, use flashlights and camping lights instead of candles.
• Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed, or garage, even if doorsand windows are open.
• Position generators outdoors far away from windows, doors and vents.
• Read both the label on your generator and the owner's manual and follow the instructions.
• Avoid plugging emergency generators into electric outlets or hooking them directly to your home's electrical system—they can feed electricity back into the power lines, putting you and line workers in danger.