10.09.2024

Today’s Forecast

A Message From Our Team

Dear TBAYtoday readers,

We are removing the events section for the foreseeable future, until we start to hear that roads are passable and businesses and organizations are re-opening. (If you want to look ahead to planned events for later in the year, our calendar is always just a click away on our website.)

Stay safe, TBAY

Hurricane Milton info in Tampa Bay

The National Weather Service graphic shows the arrival time of Hurricane Milton across Florida, and is expected to arrive in Tampa Bay near 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10.

Hurricane Milton is set to hit Tampa Bay sometime early Thursday, Oct. 10. | Graphic via NWS

We’re already starting to see the effects of Hurricane Milton here in Tampa Bay. We hope you’re sheltering somewhere safe, and we’re here to make sure you have all the information you need.

As of Tuesday at 5 p.m., Hurricane Milton is projected to impact Tampa Bay as a major Category 3 storm. If it makes landfall here, it would be the area’s first direct hit in over a century. The National Hurricane Center projects we could see a devastating 10 to 15 ft of storm surge, plus hurricane-force winds.

In addition to the storm’s strength, TBAY has also been inundated with heavy rainfall over the past few days and is still dealing with piles of debris from Helene — both of which will worsen Milton’s impact.

We’ve rounded up resources to keep you safe during the storm.

Tracking Milton

Keep an eye on Milton’s progress through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center. Here, you’ll find current weather warnings and info on wind speeds, the storm surge, rainfall, and flash flooding.

The key messages tool features the latest updates, too.

The National Weather Service map of Florida shows that Hurricane Milton could bring 10 to 15 ft of storm surge to the Tampa Bay area. — Storm surge could rise as high as 15 ft in our area.
|
Graphic via NWS

Stay in the know

Sign up for Alert Tampa, the city’s emergency alerts system, and Alert Pinellas if you’re in Pinellas County.
10 Tampa Bay rounded up live cameras across Tampa Bay, so you can see what’s going on from wherever you’re weathering the storm.

Outages

Residents using an iPhone 14 or later, running iOS 16.1 or later, or a Pixel 9, may be able to send messages by satellite without cellular or Wi-Fi capability. The Sarasota Herald Tribune shares how to how set it up.
Keep Tampa Electric’s outage map handy and sign up for outage notifications. Duke Energy is also tracking outages via this map.
Power could potentially be out for awhile post-storm. Follow us on Instagram, where we’ll be sharing spots to charge your phone or get internet access.

More emergency resources

Keep tabs on Tampa’s Reported Street Flooding — it’s best not to drive at all during the storm.

News Notes

Announced

If you need help for life-threatening emergencies during Hurricane Milton, call 9-1-1. City leaders do warn that first responders may not be able to reach you due to treacherous conditions + the debris piled on the side of the road.

Community

We’re not sure what TBAY will look like after Milton passes, but we know our community will rally to lift every resident up. Follow Feeding Tampa Bay and Reach St. Pete for post-storm resources, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Civic

Before Milton — and potential service issues arise — download the free FEMA App for real-time weather alerts. You can also download the app via text. Apple users can text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA), and Android users can text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA).

Edu

Both Hillsborough and Pinellas schools will remain closed through at least Friday, Oct. 11 due to the storm. 10 Tampa Bay is keeping you updated on closures.

Announced

PSTA and HART have suspended services due to Hurricane Milton. Please stay off the roads until the storm has passed.

Travel

Tampa International remains closed as Hurricane Milton approaches. TPA will reopen once it is safe to do so. Follow the airport on social media for reopening updates.

Sports

How will the Rays come back in 2025? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bailey

From the editor

Let’s end this newsletter on a hopeful note, shall we. The Florida Aquarium moved its penguins to higher ground before Milton arrives. Take a peek.

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