TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Milton is forecasted to become a major hurricane this week as it makes its way toward Florida's Gulf Coast.
Ahead of the storm, Tampa Bay counties have begun storm preparations and evacuations, including closing schools.
Below is a list of schools that will be closed. WFLA will continue to update this list as counties announce them.
Hillsborough County
All Hillsborough County schools will be closed from Monday, Oct. 7 through Wednesday, Oct. 9 as a precaution.
"This decision allows the county to convert schools into shelters for those needing to evacuate and gives families time to prepare their own storm plans," the district said.
The University of South Florida will not hold in-person classes on Monday, and all campuses will be closed. Remote classes will continue on Monday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, USF is canceling all classes and the campus will remain closed.
USF will continue to provide updates here,
Pinellas County
All Pinellas County schools will be closed from Monday, Oct. 7 through Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Any extracurricular activities, athletic events, and after-school programs are canceled.
St. Petersburg College will be closed from Monday, Oct. 7 till Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Diocese of St. Petersburg
All Catholic schools in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Polk County
All Polk County public schools will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday.
Schools will be open on Monday, but after-school activities have been canceled or rescheduled.
Sarasota County
All Sarasota County schools will be closed from Monday, Oct. 7 through Wednesday, Oct. 9.
"Essential employees are required to report to work. Non-essential employees who would like to secure their classrooms may do so voluntarily. If this is not feasible, SCS facilities will secure the rooms," the school district said.
More information can be found here.
New College of Florida has closed its campus from Monday, Oct. 7 through Friday, Oct. 11. Classes and all curricular and extracurricular activities are also canceled for the week.
Students in on-campus housing will be under a mandatory evacuation starting by noon on Monday.
Pasco County
All Pasco County schools and district offices will be closed from Monday, Oct. 7 through Wednesday, Oct. 9 as a precaution.
Any extracurricular activities, athletic events, and after-school programs are canceled.
Parents are encouraged to stay updated through the district's website for the latest information.
Saint Leo University will also close from Monday, Oct. 7 through Thursday, Oct. 10 at the following locations:
- University Campus (33701 County Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574)
- Tampa Education Center (1403 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33607)
- Center for Adult Learning (University Campus and Pasco-Hernando State College locations)
Students attending the Key West Education Center location (Naval Air Station Key West, A-718 Essex Circle, Key West, FL 33040) are encouraged to look for instruction from the base about a potential closure. For more info, click here.
Pasco-Hernando State College will be operating remotely on Monday, Oct. 7, and will be fully closed on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.
The Workforce Development Center grand opening scheduled for Tuesday has also been canceled.
Manatee County
Manatee County schools will be closed from Monday, Oct. 7 to Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Several of the schools will function as storm shelters beginning on Monday.
All school activities, including athletics, have also been canceled.
More information about when schools will reopen will be posted on the district website at www.manateeschools.net/storm.
Hernando County
The Hernando School District announced schools and district offices will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.
All before and after-school care services will be suspended and after-school events, including athletics, will be canceled.
Citrus County
The Citrus County School District has canceled classes for Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.
All after-school extracurricular activities are also canceled.
Schools will be open Monday and all after-school activities, YMCA before and after-school programs, and sports will run as normal.
Highlands County
South Florida State College has canceled all classes and closed all campuses from Tuesday, Oct. 8, to Friday, Oct. 11.
Campuses will close at noon on Tuesday.
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