As Hurricane Ian tracks closer to the Tampa Bay area, we're keeping you up to date with the latest evacuations issued across the area.
County Evacuation Order Sites:
Evacuations by county:
Citrus County
- Mandatory evacuation order for Zone A; includes all low-lying areas west of U.S. Highway 19 and some areas additional areas east of U.S. Highway 19.
- All other areas are advised to voluntary evacuate, especially those citizens living in mobile homes, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles throughout the county.
- Click HERE to view your evacuation zone.
- All other areas are advised to voluntary evacuate, especially those citizens living in mobile homes, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles throughout the county.
Hernando County
- Mandatory evacuation order for Tuesday at 9. a.m. all residents in low-lying areas, manufactured homes and everyone west of U.S. 19
- Includes Zones A, B, and C
Hillsborough County
- Mandatory evacuation order for Zone A
- Mandatory evacuation order for Zone B
The county changed the voluntary evacuation order for Zone B to mandatory on Tuesday at 10 a.m. The evacuations begin at 12 p.m.
All Hillsborough residents ordered to evacuate must be out by 9 p.m. Tuesday night.
MacDill Air Force Base
- Installation-wide mandatory evacuation to be completed by Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 12 p.m. for non-mission essential individuals
- Includes uniformed service members and their dependents and civilian employees and their dependents assigned to MacDill Air Force Base who reside in Hillsborough County Evacuation Zone A
- Military members, dependents, and base civilian employees in Hillsborough County Evacuation Zone B will be authorized travel reimbursement but not mandated or ordered to depart at this time
Manatee County
- Mandatory evacuation order for Zone A
- Mandatory evacuation order for Zone B
- Voluntary evacuation order for Zone C
The county upgraded the voluntary order for Zone B to mandatory on Tuesday.
Pasco County
- Mandatory evacuation order for residents living in Zone A starting 8 a.m. Tuesday.
- Mandatory evacuation for residents living in manufactured homes, mobile homes or RVs 8 a.m. Tuesday.
- Mandatory evacuation for residents living in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding 8 a.m. Tuesday.
- Voluntary evacuation for evacuation Zones B and C.
Pinellas County
- Mandatory evacuation order for Zone A, including all mobile home residents, effective at 6 p.m. on Monday.
- Mandatory evacuation orders for Zones B and C effective Tuesday at 7 a.m.
- All residential healthcare facilities also under mandatory evacuation orders starting Monday.
Sarasota County
- Evacuations have been ordered for Evacuation Level A, Mobile Homes (ALL), and Evacuation Level B.
Mandatory vs. Voluntary Evacuations
Information from Pinellas County Emergency Management
Voluntary: In the event of the approach of a tropical storm or a hurricane crossing the state the potential for storm surge may not be as great. In these cases, emergency managers may recommend that residents in mobile homes and historically flood-prone areas that frequently flood consider evacuating to higher ground and/or sturdier structures than they have available at home. This is done for the safety of those in areas known to be vulnerable.
Mandatory: Mandatory evacuations are issued when the probability of storm surge is high, and loss of life could occur if residents don’t leave. These evacuations will be ordered up to a certain letter zone and will always include mobile homes. It is incredibly important that if your home is in an evacuation level, you know your level, plan for a ‘stay’ and ‘go’ option and, if your level is ordered to go, move quickly but safely outside of the evacuation area.
It is illegal to stay in a home under a mandatory evacuation order. Under Florida Statute 252.38, the local authority has the ability to take necessary steps to provide for the health and safety of people and property. Chapter 252.50 sets refusal to follow an evacuation order as a second-degree misdemeanor.
Does this mean the police will drag you out of your property? No. They will be too busy helping those who will be following the evacuation order, although they will likely ask for next of kin or an emergency contact. However, this does provide law enforcement the basis to remove anyone who is impeding the flow of an evacuation.