2 Emergency Shelters Open, Schools Close In Pinellas County: Officials

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — As Tropical Storm Nicole approaches Florida on Wednesday - putting Pinellas County under a tropical storm warning - county staff will open two community shelters at 6 p.m.:

• Ross Norton Recreation Center, 1426 S. M.L.K. Jr. Ave., Clearwater
• Lealman Exchange Community Center, 5175 45th Street N., St. Petersburg (pet-friendly)

There are currently no mandatory evacuations in Pinellas County.

The shelter at the Lealman Exchange Community Center is equipped to support residents who depend on electricity or require medical assistance, such as oxygen or assistance with routine care, the county said in a news release.

• Also Read: Tropical Storm Nicole To Be Felt Along Storm-Weary FL West Coast

Those who go to a shelter will need to bring their own bedding and comfort items. A limited number of cots will be available only for special needs clients at Lealman.

Water and limited shelf-stable meals will be provided to all at the shelter. Those with special dietary needs will need to bring their own food.

Pet owners must bring their dogs and cats in a cage or carrier to Lealman Exchange and provide food and other supplies for them.

Pinellas County Transit Authority buses will provide free rides to community shelters. Those taking a bus to either shelter should just let the driver know where they’re going when boarding the bus. Dogs and cats in cages heading to the Lealman Exchange shelter will be allowed on the bus.

Pinellas County Schools also shared in a Facebook post that all schools and district offices will close Thursday because of the storm, reopening Friday. All after-school activities are also canceled on Thursday.

Because of the closure, the district said it will have to schedule a make-up date to meet the required number of instructional hours. The make-up date will be announced at a later time.

In an alert to residents, the county said that its Public Works department has completed checks and maintenance of stormwater drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding.

The County Information Center will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and remain open overnight, the county said. The center can be reached at 727-464-4333.

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