Millions of homes and businesses across Florida have lost power as Hurricane Irma unleashed her fury over the state. In Tampa Bay, the total started as roughly a half million. Utility officials say it will take weeks to restore electricity to everyone.
Daylight is shining light on just how bad the damage is.
Across much of the bay area, curfews are slowly being lifted and roads are slowly reopening.
All major bridges in the Tampa Bay Area have reopened following the storm.
Bay Area schools remain closed until Monday. Get a full list of closures here.
Storm debris collection schedule in Tampa Bay Area:
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
- Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says that while the city hasn't escaped Hurricane Irma's wrath, the situation isn't as bad as they had feared. Buckhorn did say there are a lot of downed power lines and debris.
- Hyde Park Presbyterian Church is the only shelter still open for evacuees who cannot return to their homes, such as those residents impacted by flooding, and for those whose homes have major damage or were destroyed. It is located at 1309 W. Swann Ave. in Tampa.
- Transportation can be arranged by calling the Hillsborough County Customer Service Center at (813) 272-5900. For other storm recovery information, go to HillsboroughCounty.org/StaySafe.
- Countless power lines are down, remember, downed power lines are dangerous. Here's what to do if you see a downed power line.
- Hillsborough County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
CITY OF TAMPA
- The City of Tampa Hurricane Hotline: 844-852-8889.
- Report downed trees in right-of-ways or city-owned trees down in the City of Tampa by calling 813-274-5544.
- Report issues regarding signs, traffic lights ect. in the City of Tampa by calling 813-274-3101.
- Report non-electric utility issues in the City of Tampa by calling 813-274-8811.
PINELLAS COUNTY
- The mandatory evacuation orders for levels A and B, and all mobile homes countywide, are lifted effective immediately.
- Power outages have affected Pinellas County Utilities sewer pump stations. Pinellas County is urging all residents to minimize flushing toilets and using excessive water to prevent backups and overflow.
- All bridges across the county have been inspected for safety and reopened. Public Works crews have covered most of the County's road network to clear debris and conduct safety assessments.
- Debris contractors will begin debris collection from rights of way on Monday, giving residents returning home over the next few days enough time to collect and place their debris piles in their nearest right of way.
- As of 4 a.m. on Thursday, approximately 197 intersection signals throughout the county remain without power. Treat them as a full 4-way stop.
- Countless power lines are down, remember, downed power lines are dangerous. Here's what to do if you see a downed power line.
- Pinellas County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
SARASOTA COUNTY
- On Tuesday, Sarasota County officials stated that their local state of emergency will be extended for seven days due to safety concerns following Hurricane Irma.
- As of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, 31% of Sarasota County intersections remain without power. Treat them as a full 4-way stop.
- The landfill will be accepting garbage and vegetative debris, brought in by residents at no charge. This will continue until at least Saturday, September 23.
- The City of Sarasota is urging residents to stay away from parks until crews can assess storm damage.
- Countless power lines are down, remember, downed power lines are dangerous. Here's what to do if you see a downed power line.
- Sarasota County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
.@SCGOVSCAT will continue limited service Wednesday: pic.twitter.com/fq4vGMydxG
— SRQ County Transit (@SCGOVSCAT) September 12, 2017
MANATEE COUNTY
- Thousands of Manatee County residents remain without power.
- Wastewater pump stations are not working in areas without electricity, and Manatee County Utility asked residents avoid flushing toilets, taking showers and doing laundry. Wastewater has nowhere to go and can back up inside the home until power is restored.
- A boil water notice remains in place until Thursday for Anna Maria Island residents.
- Damage assessment crews are canvassing Manatee County today as residents called the Citizens Information Center (CIC) line to report damages. The CIC line, (941) 749-3547, is the first number people should call to ask for non-emergency help from the County.
- Household hazardous waste can also be taken to the following locations on Saturday, Oct. 21:
- Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Manatee County Utilities Department, 4410 66th St. W., Bradenton, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Radioactive and bio-hazardous materials and e-scrap will not be accepted on those dates. E-scrap can also be disposed on Sat., Oct. 7 at the Utilities Department listed above, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Countless power lines are down, remember, downed power lines are dangerous. Here's what to do if you see a downed power line.
- Manatee County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
POLK COUNTY
- Approximately 80 percent of Polk County lost power.
- Polk County Utilities reports that one potable water plant is down.
- Polk County Utilities reports that one potable water plant is down.
- Countless intersection signals throughout the county remain without power. Treat them as a full 4-way stop.
- Most of Polk County’s public shelters are also without power.
- Polk County’s landfill is closed until further notice.
- Residents who have questions or need to report a problem should call the Citizen’s Information Line at 863-401-2234. Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have a life-threatening emergency.
- Countless power lines are down, remember, downed power lines are dangerous. Here's what to do if you see a downed power line.
- Polk County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
PASCO COUNTY
- Thousand Oaks neighborhood in Trinity has flooding from Kish Blvd. and Short Birch Ln. most families are evacuating their homes at this time, according to Pasco Sheriff's Office.
- Pasco County government recommending a voluntary evacuation for Elfers area surrounding the Anclote River labeled "Evacuation Area" on this map.
- Sandbag Pick-up: (8 a.m.-midnight until further notice)
-Fire Station #17, 2951 Seven Springs Blvd, New Port Richey
-Dade City Police Dept., 38042 Pasco Ave., Dade City - Sandbag Disposal:
-Magnolia Valley Golf Course Clubhouse, 7223 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey
-Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Rd, Wesley Chapel
- Sandbag Pick-up: (8 a.m.-midnight until further notice)
- Countless power lines are down, remember, downed power lines are dangerous. Here's what to do if you see a downed power line.
- Pasco County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
CITRUS COUNTY
- Duke Energy, SECO, and Withlacoochee Electric are working on all the power outages throughout the county. There are currently over 40,000 locations without power. Phone systems throughout the county are experiencing extremely high call volumes as everyone is calling to check on their loved ones.
- Countless intersection signals throughout the county remain without power. Treat them as a full 4-way stop.
- Citrus County's storm debris contractor will commence the first of two roadside pickups of storm related vegetative only debris on Monday, October 2.
- Countless power lines are down, remember, downed power lines are dangerous. Here's what to do if you see a downed power line.
- Citrus County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
HERNANDO COUNTY
- Click here for the most up to date information on Hernando County information.
- The Sheriff's Office has implemented a "Sheriff's Volunteer Shallow Water Rescue Unit" designed to utilize Hernando County citizens who own flat bottom boats/air boats/ATVs/utility vehicles and/or trucks to assist in various shallow water rescue
operations AFTER the weather subsides. If you own a boat or specialized truck or SUV, are a Hernando County resident, and would like to participate, please visit www.hernandosheriff.org and look under the "Programs" tab to complete the online registration form. - Boil water notices are in effect for:
- Royal Oaks
- Debris removal pick-ups will start on Monday September 18th. There will be two sweeps performed throughout the County which could take a few weeks to complete. Residents must separate vegetative debris (tree limbs, brush, etc) from other construction/demolition debris and place in front of their property along the roadway. Do not place debris in the roadway, in front of mail boxes or fire hydrants.
- Hernando County residents are eligible for Hurricane Irma assistance.
This story is developing.
