Tropical Storm Idalia: Schools across the Tampa Bay area to reopen tomorrow

Aug 31, 2023

As parts of Florida's Gulf Coast deal with flooding left behind after Hurricane Idalia, now a tropical storm, we're bringing you the latest impacts in real time.

Wednesday

6:27 p.m.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will resume normal service beginning Thursday.

6:08 p.m.

Manasota Key Road, just north of Blind Pass/Middle Beach, is washed out, and traffic cannot pass in either direction. Sarasota County recommends to stay away from this area.

6:07 p.m.

Traditional public schools in Sarasota County Schools will reopen Thursday.

5:43 p.m.

Watch crews in Citrus County as they document flooding in the area to keep residents safe.

5:40 p.m.

Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan announced that the Tax Collector Offices will reopen on Thursday, August 31 for operations.

5:38 p.m.

All Manatee District Schools will reopen and resume classes on Thursday.

Extra-curricular activities and Extended Day will also resume. Athletic practices and games can resume tomorrow, although some athletic events may be postponed based on the availability of the teams involved.

5:21 p.m.

Pinellas County Schools will be open for normal operations on Thursday.

5:15 p.m.

All schools in the Pasco County School District will be open and operational Thursday. Regular school schedules will resume that same day.

5:12 p.m.

Pinellas County lifted its mandatory evacuation order and opened bridges to the barrier islands at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

5:09 p.m.

All Hillsborough County Public Schools and district offices will reopen on Thursday.

5:08 p.m.

Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie M. Wise rescinded the existing evacuation order for Zone A effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

5:02 p.m.

The University of South Florida said the Tampa campus (including USF Health downtown) and the Sarasota-Manatee campus will reopen and classes will resume on Thursday.

The St. Petersburg campus will remain closed and all classes, including online classes, are canceled on Thursday. The St. Petersburg campus is expected to reopen and resume classes the next day, however, a final decision will be announced on Thursday.

Residence halls on the Tampa campus are open. Residence halls on the St. Petersburg campus remain closed, pending a thorough assessment by USF staff and evacuation orders being lifted in Pinellas County.

USF Health will resume normal clinical operations on Thursday.

4:39 p.m.

Starting early Thursday morning, the City of Dunedin's Solid Waste will resume curbside household trash and yard waste collections beginning with Tuesday and Wednesday’s routes, then move through the week’s collections consecutively into the weekend.

The city recommends placing carts and yard debris curbside Wednesday night as they try to complete both routes on Thursday.

Both Thursday and Friday customers should place household trash and yard waste at the curbside in City containers on Friday.

The recycling drop-off sites will reopen on Saturday.

The Sheriff's Office will reopen the barrier islands at 7 p.m. The Dunedin Causeway will reopen, but the access points will remain closed until further notice.

City offices and buildings will reopen at normal hours Thursday.

The Dunedin Marina remains closed at this time.

4:32 p.m.

Saint Leo University will resume classes and open for business Thursday. The only exception is the university’s Savannah, Georgia, location, where there will be no classes and the education center will be closed.

4:29 p.m.

All courthouse facilities of the Thirteenth Judicial Court will be open on Thursday.

4:09 p.m.

The Skyway Bridge has been reopened.

The Courtney Campbell Causeway is now open, going in both directions.

4:06 p.m.

The eastbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Causeway have reopened.

4:04 p.m.

All Hernando County schools and district offices will reopen Thursday.

3:18 p.m.

ABC Action News drone footage of Crystal River

2:50 p.m.

Cleanup is already underway here in Cortez and at Tide Tables restaurant, where the water which had surrounded the restaurant has already receded.

2:30 p.m.

President updates on Hurricane Idalia

2:26 p.m.

HOUSE FIRE IN SHORE ACRES | VIDEO BY NICK ST. CLAIR

2:25 p.m.

Tracking conditions in Oldsmar

2:21 p.m.

Cleanup is already underway here in Cortez and at Tide Tables restaurant, where the water which had surrounded the restaurant has already receded.

1 p.m.

Tampa International Airport will reopen to arriving flights at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, departing flights and normal operations will resume early Thursday morning.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will reopen at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and flights will resume on Thursday.

Both airports said travelers should check with their airlines for specific flight information.

12:20 p.m.

Flooding in Port Richey after Hurricane Idalia.

Drone video of Treasure Island after Hurricane Idalia.

12:18 p.m.

Sarasota County officials said Manasota Key Road north of Blind Pass/Middle Beach is washed out and traffic can't pass in either direction. Residents are asked to stay away from the area.

12:10 p.m.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office created a page for road closures. Click here to see a list of closures.

12:07 p.m.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office advises, "If you own a hybrid or electric vehicle that has come into contact with saltwater due to recent flooding within the last 24 hours, it is crucial to relocate the vehicle from your garage without delay. Saltwater exposure can trigger combustion in lithium-ion batteries. If possible, transfer your vehicle to higher ground."

11:40 a.m.

The US Postal Service has temporarily suspended operations in multiple Florida counties due to Hurricane Idalia.

Impacted locations include St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brooksville and more.

For a full list of locations, click here.

11 a.m.

In Citrus County, a large part of U.S. Highway 19 is closed from CR 488 (West Dunnellon Road) to West Venable Street in Crystal River. The part of the road from West Gulf to Lake Highway (SR 44) to US Highway 19 is closed.

Officials said more closures can be expected as they monitor rising water levels and the impacts of high tide.

10:50 a.m.

The Madeira Beach Fire Department shared video from a condo fire on Tuesday night.

10:47 a.m.

Hillsborough County road closures.

10:30 a.m.

Flooding in the Beachpark neighborhood in South Tampa on Wednesday.

9:25 a.m.

A Tornado Warning is in place for Hardee, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties until 9:45 a.m.

9:20 a.m.

The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative said power needs to be disconnected from several areas for safety reasons due to major flooding.

The areas are: Hernando Beach, Bayport, Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, and Aripeka.

Officials said the power in those areas will be off for an undetermined amount of time.

9:15 a.m.

Hurricane Idalia, now a Category 2 storm, is bringing catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds to northern Florida.

9:11 a.m.

A Tornado Warning is in place in part of Pasco County until 9:30 a.m.

9:04 a.m.

Hillsborough County residents are asked to avoid the area of Highway 41 in Riverview due to excessive flooding.

8:29 a.m.

Pasco first responders rescue people from flooded homes and cars trapped in flooded streets.

8:27 a.m.

Drone footage captures the storm's impact on Treasure Island

8:17 a.m.

For those who have chosen to remain on the beaches despite the mandatory evacuation order, please restrict your water and toilet usage. Due to flooding, the city's lift stations and stormwater system are under strain. #HurricaneIdalia pic.twitter.com/mGtOgH88Gd

8:15 a.m.

Reporter Paul LaGrone continues to provide updates as conditions worsen in Taylor County

8:07 a.m.

Twenty-four soldiers with high-water vehicles are responding to Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor and Dunedin.

8:03 a.m.

Hernando County Emergency Management in coordination with Hernando County Sheriffs Office has ordered no access to all residential areas west of US 19 due to rapidly rising storm surge. Area is no longer accessible to emergency vehicles for rescues. If you are stranded and in need of rescue please contact 911. Law Enforcement officers will be restricting all access to this area effective immediately.

8:00 a.m.

The Howard Frankland Bridge is now closed in both northbound and southbound directions.

7:50 a.m.

Hurricane Idalia makes landfall in Florida's Big Bend as reporter Paul LaGrone gives an update.

7:40 a.m.

Cortez Bridge in Manatee County is now closed.

7:38 a.m.

Reporter Paul LaGrone updates viewers from Taylor County while winds pick up.

7:06 a.m.

Reporter Larissa Scott gives an update on Idalia from Bayshore Boulevard as waters rise.

6:58 a.m.

Access to all Pinellas County barrier islands has now been closed.

6:42 a.m.

The majority of the Sarasota Bayfront closed due to flooding; officers are blocking U.S. 41 from Fruitville Road to Main Street.

6:37 a.m.

James Tully reports from Clearwater Beach, where the floodwaters continue to rise and are now seeping into homes and businesses like the Hyatt Regency.

6:26 a.m.

Reporter Rochelle Alleyne is driving onto Hernando Beach, where winds and rain have picked up considerably. There are no reports of flooding just yet.

6:25 a.m.

The Gandy Bridge is currently open.

6:22 a.m.

A Tornado Warning has been extended to 6:45 a.m. in Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.

6:07 a.m.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties until 6:30 a.m.

5:45 a.m.

Access to the following Pinellas County barrier islands closed to everyone, including residents, as of 5:30 a.m.

Officials said if you leave the islands, you will not be allowed to return until storm impacts subside, and includes residents with a barrier islands access pass.Gulf Boulevard is also closed until further notice.

5:43 a.m.

Eastbound lanes of Courtney Campbell are shut down; westbound is not affected. Officials encourage everyone to stay off the road.

Access to Clearwater Beach closed, even with barrier access permits.

"You can leave the beach, but you cannot get there via Memorial Causeway or Sand Key. We are seeing flooding in beach areas, and elsewhere in the city," officials said.

5:40 a.m.

Waters start to rise in Clearwater Beach as reporter James Tully gives an update

5:27 a.m.

Bayshore Boulevard begins to flood

5:03 a.m.

Hurricane Idalia has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

Reporter Larissa Scott gives an update from Hillsborough County

5 a.m.

Flooding at Gulf Blvd. in Treasure Island. Courtesy of Treasure Island Fire.

4:28 a.m.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for the following counties:

4:07 a.m.

Reporter Julie Salomone gives an update on Idalia from Gulf Port

3:40 a.m.

The Howard Frankland Bridge northbound is closed due to storm surge and flooding.

3:24 a.m.

Reporter James Tully provides an update from Clearwater Beach

3:05 a.m.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge is now closed.

2:22 a.m.

Flooding in Tarpon Springs

2:08 a.m.

Gulf Blvd flooding in some areas. This is Gulf Blvd at 108th Avenue in Treasure Island | TREASURE ISLAND

2:05 a.m.

A look at Pass-A-Grille Way | PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

1:31 a.m

Gulf Blvd Madeira Beach

1:15 a.m.

A significant amount of water is coming onshore in Madeira Beach. Deputies are going to begin closing portions of Gulf Boulevard between 129th Avenue and 150th Avenue. #Idalia pic.twitter.com/a1axPnCgrh

12:32 a.m.

Boat, lightning, water over sea wall - across from Vinoy Hotel in St. Pete

Tuesday

6:43 p.m.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

The fund is a component of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Florida’s official 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports volunteerism, community service, and disaster recovery.

“The Florida Disaster Fund helps us fill the gaps for impacted families and cut through red tape,” said DeSantis. “This money goes a long way for families impacted by a storm and it is an important tool in the disaster recovery process.”

To donate, click here.

5:00 p.m.

Link to National Hurricane Center's Potential Storm Surge Flooding Map as mentioned by Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips on air.

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