Pinellas County Continues to Urge Residents and Businesses to Prepare for Hurricane Idalia

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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is issuing advisories on Hurricane Idalia, currently located 275 miles SSW of Tampa. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 MPH with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend outwards up to 160 miles from the center. The core of Hurricane Idalia is currently forecast to pass 85 miles offshore of Pinellas County.
Idalia is forecast to move northward and approach the State of Florida as a major hurricane by early Wednesday morning (08/30). Idalia is forecast to continue strengthening up until landfall and rapid intensification remains likely.

Hurricane Warnings and Storm Surge Warnings remain in effect for Pinellas County. A Flood Watch is also now in effect.

Pinellas County Emergency Management (PCEM) continues to urge everyone to implement emergency plans and be ready for potentially significant impacts. Learn more at: https://disaster.pinellas.gov 

Prepare for the Storm

  • Check your evacuation zone
  • Stay informed: Sign up for Alert Pinellas at pinellas.gov/alert-pinellas and download the Ready Pinellas app.
  • Review disaster plans:
    • Purchase necessary items to complete survival kit now. 
    • Prepare kit and gather important papers.  
    • Review checklist at pinellas.gov/make-a-plan  
  • Prepare your business:
    • Review Pinellas County Economic Development’s Disaster Resources for Businesses.
    • Allow time for employees and staff who live in mandatory and recommended evacuation zones to personally prepare for and comply with mandatory evacuation orders.
    • Review the Business Re-Entry Procedures and ensure that employees have the required documentation prior to the storm’s arrival.
    • Be prepared to fill out the State of Florida’s Business Damage Assessment
    • Survey after the storm to help determine damage-related disaster impacts in Florida.

Have questions, concerns or needs? FloridaCommerce has activated the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com. 

Updates: 

  • Pinellas County orders mandatory evacuations of Zone A, mobile home residents, effective Monday, August 28 at 7 p.m.Pinellas County Government will shut down all non-essential functions Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) will shut down as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday. 
  • Pinellas County Schools announced that all Pinellas County Schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, August 29, and Wednesday, August 30.

After the Storm

Economic assistance (business loans) for private sector businesses may be available based on the magnitude of the disaster and overall economic impact to the community. Businesses are encouraged to complete the online Business Damage Assessment tool as soon as it becomes available. This information will provide valuable economic impact information to the state and federal government as economic assistance options are evaluated.

The Florida SBDC Network at Pinellas County can help your business recover from a disaster. In addition, the Florida SBDC Network and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity partner on the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, an interest-free, short-term loan program to help businesses recover quickly after a disaster.

For more business resources, please see State Resources and Federal Resources pages.

Important links: 

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