TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County officials are discussing hurricane preparations and recovery responses ahead of Milton's landfall.
Residents can text TAMPAREADY to 888-777. For Spanish, text TAMPALISTA.
On Wednesday morning, the county announced three additional shelters, opening Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m.
- Mulrennan Middle School (NOT pet friendly), 4215 Durant Rd., Valrico, FL 33594
- Lockhart Elementary Magnet School (NOT pet friendly), 3719 N. 17th St., Tampa, FL 33610
- Collins PK-8 School (NOT pet friendly), 12424 Summerfield Blvd., Riverview, FL 33569
There still is time to evacuate and get to a shelter.
The following shelters are open and still have capacity:
- Middleton High School (pet friendly), 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33610
- Pizzo Elementary School (NOT pet friendly) 11701 USF Bull Run Dr., Tampa, FL 33617
- Steinbrenner High School (pet friendly), 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33558
- Erwin Technical College (special needs only, pet friendly), 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33610
- Sumner High School (special needs only, pet friendly), 10650 County Rd. 672, Riverview, FL 33579
- Strawberry Crest High School (special needs only, pet friendly), 4691 Gallagher Rd., Dover, FL 33527
Nearly 10,000 residents are sheltered in schools across the county.
Officials said now is the time to shelter in place if residents did not leave the area. Even after the hurricane passes, it is advised residents remain inside for their safety until officials say it is safe to leave.
Downed power lines, fallen trees, and other hazards may be dangerous and even deadly. Officials ask residents to not approach crews in the fields or pile up storm debris underneath power lines, which can slow restoration efforts. Before digging, call 811 to avoid hitting underground power lines.
To report outages to TECO, call 877-588-1010 or text OUT to 27079.
Generators should not be run indoors or in rain due to the gas carbon monoxide, which can kill.
"Amphibious" vehicles, SHERPs, have arrived in the county for rescue operations and overall responses, Fire Chief Jason Dougherty announced Wednesday morning.
In the National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. update, Milton, a Category 4 storm, will make landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast as a “dangerous major hurricane.”
For more information from the county, call 833-427-8676.
WFLA live streamed the press conference at 10 a.m., which can be viewed in the video player above.