Pinellas County Declares Emergency As Tropical Storm Eta Nears

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners held an emergency meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday to declare a state of local emergency for Tropical Storm Eta.

Pinellas County is under a tropical storm warning, tropical storm watch and storm surge watch.

Eta reached hurricane strength overnight but weakened Wednesday afternoon to a tropical storm, with rapid weakening expected after landfall on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

On the forecast track, the center of Eta will move closer to, but offshore of the southwest coast of Florida Wednesday, approach the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night and Thursday, and move inland over the northern portion of the Florida peninsula on Thursday.

Tropical storm-force winds, storm surge and flooding are likely to impact the area Wednesday night and Thursday. No evacuations have been ordered at this time.

The County Information Center is now open 24 hours for storm questions. Call 727-464-4333.

Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the County Information Center via online chat here.

Emergency responders will not be able to respond to calls once sustained winds have increased above 40 mph, which is expected to happen sometime this afternoon or evening.

Pinellas County parks will be closed from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday.

County buildings and offices will remain closed to the general public Thursday to allow for the necessary post-storm operations and damage assessments.

The Solid Waste Disposal Facility, administration building and Household Electronics and Chemical Collection Center will be closed Thursday. For more information, click here.

Pinellas County is not currently distributing sand bags.

Residents should check with their local municipality for local sand bag sites. Note that sandbags can not protect against storm surge.

Emergency shelters will be open at noon today:

• Ross Norton Recreation Complex, 1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater
• Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N., St. Petersburg

COVID-19 rapid testing will be available at both shelters. Hotels will be available for any COVID-19 positive residents seeking shelter. Masks will be required while inside the shelters. Masks, gloves and sanitizer will be available for residents at both shelters. Each shelter will afford 60 square feet of space per household to enable safer social distancing. Click here.

Advice For Residents

• Low-lying, coastal and barrier island residents are advised to prepare for localized flooding. Ensure your vehicle is on high ground and prepare your home early.
• Obtain masks, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
• Refill medications.
• Secure yard equipment and furniture. Take time to prepare your home. This is the first big windstorm of the season so there may be dead branches.
• Don't drive through standing water on the road.
• Assist neighbors with preparations.
• Find shelter inside a safe structure.
• Remain sheltered through the duration of the storm.
• Close interior doors. Secure and brace external doors and windows.
• Use a weather alert radio for alerts during power outages.
• Use flashlights, battery-operated lanterns or chemical light sticks.
• Residents can get a copy of the 2020 Pinellas County Hurricane Preparedness Guide here.
• Register for emergency alerts here.
• Locate your evacuation zone here.
• Finalize preparation plans here.

For the latest updates on Tropical Storm Eta, subscribe to free News Alerts.