HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order Oct. 6 declaring a state of local emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton.
The order went into effect Oct. 6. A state of local emergency can be in effect for only seven days, unless rescinded or extended.
The emergency declaration gives the county administrator and emergency managers the ability to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community, and provides a path for federal reimbursement of certain expenses.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also declared a state of emergency for tFlorida in response to the storm.
Read the Hillsborough County order declaring a state of local emergency. A state of local emergency already exists for Hurricane Helene.
County opens safe haven for residents
Hillsborough County will open Middleton High School this afternoon as a safe haven in advance of inclement weather for residents who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Middleton High School will open at 1 p.m. Oct. 6, at 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa. The forecast calls for heavy rain and wind on Sunday afternoon through Sunday night.
Residents who need transportation assistance to Middleton High School should call 833-HC STORM or 833-427-8676 to make arrangements. The storm information and helpline is open until 7 p.m.
County opens three sandbag operation sites
Hillsborough County will open three sandbag operation sites at noon Oct. 6 to help residents prepare for potential heavy rain moving into the area in the days ahead.
The following sandbag operation sites will be open, weather permitting, from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7. The sites are self-serve, meaning residents should be prepared to fill the sandbags themselves.
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin (Park will be closed to the public on Saturday)
- Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa. (Park will remain open to the public on Saturday)
- Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa.
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.
County continues storm debris pick up
Hillsborough County has mobilized resources to expedite storm debris removal from affected residential neighborhoods including Dana Shores, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Tampa Shores, Bay Crest, and Town ’N Country in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast.
The county is launching a temporary debris drop-off site at its Resource Recovery Facility at 350 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa.
Temporary debris drop-off site opens at Resource Recovery Facility
Starting at 4 p.m. Oct. 6, residents and contractors can drop off yard waste, construction and demolition debris, furniture and other household items at no charge. All appliances must be emptied of their contents. The site will remain open until further notice.
What can be dropped off:
- Yard waste (trees, branches, etc.)
- Construction and demolition debris
- Furniture
- Other storm-damaged household items
- Appliances (must be empty)
What cannot be dropped off:
- Household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, etc.)
- Regular household garbage
Community collection centers offer extended hours until further notice
The County’s five Community Collection Centers are open with extended hours to accommodate post-storm cleanup, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. Photo ID is required.
- Alderman’s Ford Solid Waste Facility – 9402 County Road 39, Plant City, FL 33567
- Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility – 6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
- Northwest County Solid Waste Facility – 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, FL 33625
- South County Solid Waste Facility – 13000 U.S. 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
- Wimauma Solid Waste Facility – 16180 W. Lake Dr., Wimauma, FL 33598
All five locations accept a variety of household items, including furniture, couches, chairs, tables, mattresses, washer, dryers, tires and microwaves. Additionally, the centers accept batteries, electronics and paint.
The Northwest County and South County Solid Waste Facilities are the only Community Collection Center sites that accept residential yard waste and wood disposal.
Additional yard waste site added
The county previously announced the opening of an additional yard waste site at the Hillsborough Heights Community Collection Center located at 6209 County Road 579, Seffner. The yard waste drop-off facility is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for all Hillsborough County residents with identification. The site will be open until further notice.
Storm debris information and tips
The county is using its solid waste collectors and disaster debris contractors to maximize efficiency. The county will continue these intensive debris removal efforts until tropical force winds reach 30 mph, at which point operations will be temporarily suspended to ensure the safety of personnel.
Residents with debris curbside that has been prepared for pickup who are unable to dispose of debris at one of the county’s sites are urged to take the following precautions in advance of the tropical storm:
Secure Loose Debris
- Weigh down loose storm debris to prevent it from being blown away during high winds.
- Use heavy objects such as bricks or sandbags inside or around debris piles to minimize movement.
Organize Curbside Debris
- Heavier items like mattresses and sofas may be less likely to become windblown.
- Place lighter items underneath heavier ones to prevent them from becoming airborne during the storm.
- Consider using straps, ropes, or bungee cords to secure debris from becoming airborne.
Get Connected
Residents and visitors are encouraged to 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 HCFL.gov/StaySafe.
Residents without digital access are encouraged to call 833-427-8676, the county’s storm information and help line.
