HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL. – Hillsborough County offices and facilities will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday as weather conditions are forecast to deteriorate with the approach of Tropical Storm Elsa.
Hillsborough County is now under a tropical storm warning.
Although the center of Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to remain offshore as it passes by the Tampa Bay area, tropical storm winds could begin impacting our area as soon as Tuesday afternoon. Now is the time to finalize preparations.
Hillsborough County Operations and Services
- Hillsborough County offices and facilities will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday so that employees and customers can get home safely.
- Solid waste collection will continue on Tuesday, but may be suspended later in the day depending on weather conditions.
- The Apollo Beach Nature Preserve will be closed on Tuesday.
- Hillsborough County emergency officials and representatives of partner agencies are closely monitoring the projected track of the storm and are coordinating resources and operations to respond as necessary. Hillsborough County has declared a state of local emergency in response to Tropical Storm Elsa.
Sandbags
Hillsborough County is making sandbags available on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon at these locations:
- Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
- Ed Radice Park, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa
The three sites have already given out more than 18,000 sandbags today.
Hillsborough County residents are eligible for a maximum of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Residents must show ID verifying they live in the County; a driver’s license or utility bill will serve as proper identification. For questions regarding this information, call (813) 272-5900.
The cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace also have sandbags available. Go to HCFLGov.net/sandbags for information.
Shelters and Evacuations
Hillsborough County has not issued any evacuation orders at this time.
Actions Residents Should Take
- Residents and visitors should pay close attention to weather forecasts and make decisions accordingly. According to the National Weather Service, Tropical Storm Elsa could bring heavy rains, damaging winds, frequent lightning, and the possibility of tornadoes and a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet to the Tampa Bay area.
- Finalize storm preparations and disaster kit contents. Hillsborough County’s 2021 Disaster Preparedness Guide, accessed via HCFLGov.net/StaySafe, is available in English and Spanish and contains comprehensive information on how to prepare for any hazard.
- Clean out gutters and drainpipes, trim trees and hedges if needed, and secure or put away loose objects such as outdoor furniture, birdbaths, and potted plants.
- Plan to avoid being on the road if at all possible starting Tuesday evening as driving conditions could become dangerous.
- Register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFLGov.net/StaySafe.
- Stay informed by following Hillsborough County on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor. Check HCFLGov.net/StaySafe regularly for updates. For general County information, call (813) 272-5900, the County’s main information line. Even if Tropical Storm Elsa has limited impact on Hillsborough County, it’s wise to keep in mind that the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season began only a month ago, and that the peak of the season in our region is yet to come.
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