Tropical Weather Alert: Hurricane Idalia

Update – Aug. 30, 7 p.m.: As Hurricane Idalia recovery begins, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to review these tips regarding unlicensed contractors. Verify a contractor’s license at www.myfloridalicense.com. If you believe you may be a victim of an unlicensed contractor, call the Pasco Sheriff’s Non-Emergency Line at 727-847-8102, option 7. 

Pasco County Government announced that evacuation orders were lifted. All Pasco shelters are closed, except for the Fasano Regional Hurricane Center in Hudson, which is open to special needs and displaced residents only.

Pasco County Schools announced that schools will be open on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Update – Aug. 30, 5 p.m.: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Idalia, which was downgraded to a Tropical Storm in the latest update. All storm warnings and watches for Pasco County have expired. The latest track and warning information from the National Hurricane Center is included here.

PSO is prepared and ready to help those in need. We encourage citizens who are experiencing water in their homes to safely disable the power, if possible, to avoid electrical issues and fire hazards. If you need assistance evacuating, call emergency services for help.

Staying home and off the roads is strongly encouraged with Pasco’s windy conditions and potential for flooding today. If you must go out, use extreme caution. Never drive over a downed power line as they may still be live. Stay safe, Pasco!

Aug. 30, 3:45 p.m. Update: Pasco County Government is offering an online tool to report storm damage following Hurricane Idalia, for more information visit here.

Aug. 30, 2 p.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia, which remains a Category 1 Hurricane. A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. The latest track and warning information from the National Hurricane Center is included here.

West Pasco shelters remain open, for more information visit here.

Pasco County Government Offices are closed today and will reopen Thursday, Aug. 31, for more information visit here.

GoPasco County Public Transportation services will resume Thursday, Aug. 31, for more information visit here.

Two sandbag disposal sites are open to properly dispose of used sandbags, for more information visit here.

PSO is prepared and ready to help those in need. We encourage citizens who are experiencing water in their homes, to safely disable the power if possible to avoid electrical issues and fire hazards. If you need help evacuating, call emergency services for help.

Staying home and off the roads is strongly encouraged with Pasco’s windy conditions and potential for flooding today. If you must go out, use extreme caution. Never drive over a downed power line as they may still be live. Stay safe, Pasco!

Aug. 30, 12:30 p.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office has helped evacuate over 60 citizens from flooded homes within the Hudson area. PSO deputies continue to patrol during Hurricane Idalia and are seeing flooded roadways including water encroaching on homes, downed trees and power lines. Staying home and off the roads is strongly encouraged with Pasco’s weather conditions today. Don’t attempt to drive through flooded roadways, as they may be deeper than expected or contain other unseen hazards. Remember, just six inches of water can cause issues with your car, including loss of traction or stalling. We encourage citizens who are experiencing water in their homes, to safely disable the power if possible to avoid electrical issues and fire hazards. If you need help evacuating, call emergency services for help. Stay safe, Pasco!

Aug. 30, 11 a.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia, which was downgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane. The Hurricane Warning has been changed to a Tropical Storm Warning for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. The latest track and warning information from the National Hurricane Center is included here.

PSO is prepared and ready to help those in need. We encourage citizens who are experiencing water in their homes, to safely disable the power if possible to avoid electrical issues and fire hazards. If you need help evacuating, call emergency services for help.

Pasco Sheriff’s deputies continue to patrol during Hurricane Idalia and are seeing flooded roadways including water encroaching on homes, downed trees and power lines. Staying home and off the roads is strongly encouraged with Pasco’s weather conditions today. Don’t attempt to drive through flooded roadways, as they may be deeper than expected or contain other unseen hazards. Remember, just six inches of water can cause issues with your car, including loss of traction or stalling. Stay safe, Pasco!

Aug. 30, 5 a.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia, which was upgraded to a Category 4 storm overnight. A Hurricane Warning and Flood Watch remain in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. A Tornado Watch remains in effect through 6 a.m. today. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. 

PSO continues to monitor the storm. If you do not need to be out during the storm, please remain sheltered in place.

Aug. 29, 11 p.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia. A Hurricane Warning and Flood Watch remain in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. A Tornado Watch was also issued for Pasco County through 6 a.m. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. 

PSO continues to monitor the storm. If you do not need to be out during the storm, please remain sheltered in place.

Aug. 29, 5 p.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia, which was upgraded to a Category 2 Hurricane. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning and Flood Watch remain in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. 

GoPasco County Public transportation will suspend service today, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. More information is available here.

As a reminder, shelters are open today. Additionally, sandbags are available at several locations throughout the county. PSO encourages citizens to share their hurricane plans with family and friends. Before the storm arrives, let your loved ones know where you will be and how to get in contact with you.

Aug. 29, 2 p.m. Update:  Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning and Flood Watch remain in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. 

As a reminder, shelters are open today. Additionally, sandbags are available at several locations throughout the county. PSO encourages citizens to share their hurricane plans with family and friends. Before the storm arrives, let your loved ones know where you will be and how to get in contact with you.

Aug. 29, 11 a.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning and Flood Watch remain in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. 

As a reminder, shelters are open today. Additionally, sandbags are available at several locations throughout the county. PSO encourages citizens to share their hurricane plans with family and friends. Before the storm arrives, let your loved ones know where you will be and how to get in contact with you.

Aug. 29, 8 a.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia, which was upgraded to a Category 1 storm overnight. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. Overnight, a Flood Watch was also issued for Pasco County. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. 

As a reminder, shelters are open today. Additionally, sandbags are available at several locations throughout the county. PSO’s lobbies are closed today. 

The Florida Department of Transportation has waived tolls on the Suncoast Parkway in Pasco County ahead of the storm. 

PSO encourages citizens to share their hurricane plans with family and friends. Before the storm arrives, let your loved ones know where you will be and how to get in contact with you.

Aug. 28, 7:50 p.m. Update: The Florida Department of Transportation will waive tolls on the Suncoast Parkway in Pasco County beginning at 4 a.m. on Aug. 29, ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia. More information available here.

Aug. 28, 5 p.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. 

Saint Leo University announced that campuses will be closed Aug. 29 and 30 for the storm. More information is available here.

Pasco County Public Transportation announced they will be fare-free tomorrow to assist with evacuations. 

As a reminder, shelters open tomorrow at 8 a.m. Additionally, sandbags are available at several locations throughout the county. PSO’s lobbies are closed tomorrow.

PSO encourages citizens to share their hurricane plans with family and friends. Before the storm arrives, let your loved ones know where you will be and how to get in contact with you.

Aug. 28, 2 p.m. Update – PSO Lobby Closures & Shelter Information: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Pasco County. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here.

All Pasco Sheriff’s Office lobbies will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 29 due to the storm. Law enforcement services will continue and any business can be conducted by phone or via our website at PascoSheriff.com. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 727-847-8102, option 7.

Pasco County is opening hurricane shelters for anyone who needs to leave their homes ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia and has nowhere else to stay. The following shelters will open Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 8 a.m.:

• Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City
• Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
• Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Avenue, Hudson
• River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
• Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., (Special Needs & General Population), Wesley Chapel
• Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, (Special Needs & General Population), 11611 Denton Avenue, Hudson

To find the shelter closest to you, click here: mypas.co/Map. All shelters allow family pets. Learn what supplies you should bring with your pet: mypas.co/PetHurricanePrep. Ensure that your family and friends know your plan and where you will be  in the event of a storm.

 Pasco County has a total of nine sandbag locations currently open in Pasco County. As a reminder, sandbag sites are self-serve and open 24/7 to Pasco County residents. Sandbags are provided, but you must bring your own shovels to fill the bags.

Aug 28 10 a.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Warning was issued for Pasco County, while a Storm Surge Warning was issued for coastal Pasco County. Take the time now to ensure hurricane kits are well stocked and that you have a plan in place. Let friends or family know where you will be during the storm. PSO will continue to monitor the storm.

• As a reminder, self-serve sandbag locations are available 24/7. Remember to bring your own shovel, but sand and bags are provided.
• Explorer Post 916’s general meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 29 is canceled due to the storm. 
• Pasco-Hernando State College has announced closures on Aug. 29 and 30 for classes. 

Pasco County has announced mandatory evacuations for certain areas of Pasco County and voluntary evacuations for other areas due to Tropical Storm Idalia. 

Pasco County Schools announced that schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday for the storm. For more information, contact Pasco County Schools. 

Per Pasco County, evacuation orders are in place for the following: 

You must evacuate if one or more of the following applies to you:

• You live in Evacuation Zone A
• You live in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco
• You live in a low-lying area or an area prone to flooding
• You live in a structure that historically has experienced flooding during heavy rainfall
• You’re in an area ordered evacuated by local authorities due to life-safety hazards

You should evacuate if one or more of the following applies to you:

• You live in Evacuation Zones B or C
• You’re registered with Pasco as a Special Needs Resident
• You would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss

Please consider riding out the storm with family or friends. If that’s not an option, you can evacuate directly to a Pasco County Shelter. Shelters will open Tuesday, August 29, at 8 a.m. Pasco County will release a list of open shelters Monday.

Aug. 28, 8 a.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia. A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for Coastal Pasco County. The latest track information from the National Hurricane Center is included here. Though the effects the storm may have on Pasco County are still unknown, now is the time to prepare well ahead of the storm. See below for more information, including information on three sandbag locations currently open in Pasco County. As a reminder, sandbag sites are self-serve and open 24/7 to Pasco County residents. Sandbags are provided, but you must bring your own shovels to fill the bags. 

August 27, 4 p.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia. In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, a Hurricane Watch was issued for Coastal Pasco County. Take the time now to ensure hurricane kits are well stocked and that you have a plan in place. PSO will continue to monitor the storm.

As a reminder, self-serve sandbag locations are available 24/7. Remember to bring your own shovel, but sand and bags are provided.

August 27, Noon Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia, which was upgraded from Tropical Depression Ten in the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. While the effects the storm may have on Pasco County are still unknown, it is a good reminder to be prepared well ahead of the storm. Take the time now to ensure hurricane kits are well stocked and that you have a plan in place. PSO will continue to monitor the storm.

As a reminder, self-serve sandbag locations are available 24/7. Remember to bring your own shovel, but sand and bags are provided.

August 27, 8 a.m. Update: Pasco Sheriff’s Office is monitoring Tropical Depression Ten. While the effects the storm may have on Pasco County are still unknown, it is a good reminder to be prepared well ahead of the storm. Take the time now to ensure hurricane kits are well stocked and that you have a plan in place. PSO will continue to monitor the storm.

Three sandbag sites are now open in Pasco County to help protect your property from floodwaters. Sandbag sites are self-serve and open 24/7 to Pasco County residents. Sandbags are provided, but you must bring your own shovels to fill the bags. Crews will restock sand daily.

Important Links for Tropical Storm Idalia:

• For more information on preparing for hurricanes and other tropical systems, visit National Hurricane Preparedness.
• For the latest storm information, please visit the National Hurricane Center. 
• For the latest information from Pasco County government, including evacuation information visit PascoCountyFL.net
• For the latest information from Pasco-Hernando State College, visit their website here.
• For the latest information on the status of Pasco County Schools, visit their website here. 
• For information regarding cancelled Explorer Post 916 meeting, visit their website here.
• For the latest information from Saint Leo University, check here.
• For more information on free rides to shelters in Pasco County, visit their website here .
• For more information on the Florida Department of Transportation waived tolls beginning at 4 a.m. on Aug. 29 in Pasco County, visit here.
• For emergency information from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, visit here.
• For online Pasco County Government storm reporting, visit here.