Tampa Bay wakes up grateful that the worst of Hurricane Helene missed us. While some are suffering from power outages and fallen trees, many people and businesses in the community are working hard to open back up. Here’s what we’ve seen open in Tampa Bay (so far). To be sure, call the business location near you to make sure they are still open.

Hurricane Helene has made landfall in Taylor Co, Florida about 10 miles WSW of Perry, FL as a Category 4 with winds of 140 mph.

Related: Safety Tips To Recover From A Hurricane

Please only leave if evacuation orders in your county have been lifted. Officials have asked residents to not attempt to drive through the high waters. If you MUST leave your shelter, drive slowly and be alert on the roadways. Make a full stop at any broken stoplights to avoid any accidents. 

Tampa Bay has seen some effects of storm surge in parts of Tampa, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, St. Pete and more. Many businesses have decided to stay closed today due to flooded streets. Some have opened to provide hot meals to those without power. Here’s what we know is opened and closed in Tampa Bay for Friday, September 27. We will keep this post updated as we learn if more places have opened.

• Bridges

  As of 9:30am, the westbound lanes of the Gandy bridge has reopened. Eastbound lanes are still closed. As of 12pm, southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland are open, north bound lanes are still closed. Other major Tampa Bay Bridges such as the Courtney Campbell, Bridges to barrier islands still remain closed as well. Northbound lanes of the Sunshine Skyway (Manatee to Pinellas County) is now open. The SB Skyway Bridge (Pinellas to Manatee County) will remain closed until debris clearing and damage assessment is complete. Updates will be provided once they become available.

  FHP Tampa on X (formerly Twitter): "Southbound Howard Frankland Bridge is open and moving. #helene pic.twitter.com/GknNLcE8vN / X"

  Southbound Howard Frankland Bridge is open and moving. #helene pic.twitter.com/GknNLcE8vN

  FHP Tampa on X (formerly Twitter): "The Gandy Bridge is now open. HFB, CCC & Skyway are still closed. Use caution on the highways. Do NOT drive through flooded roadways and treat it as a 4-way stop if you encounter inoperative traffic signals #Helene pic.twitter.com/BP9ISG2S2Y / X"

  The Gandy Bridge is now open. HFB, CCC & Skyway are still closed. Use caution on the highways. Do NOT drive through flooded roadways and treat it as a 4-way stop if you encounter inoperative traffic signals #Helene pic.twitter.com/BP9ISG2S2Y

   

• Airports

  As of 9:40am, Tampa International Airport has reopened to the public.

  St. Pete-Clearwater airport also  remains closed on Friday but plans to reopen after assessment. It’s still recommended to check with your airline for latest flight information. 

  Tampa International Airport ✈️ on X (formerly Twitter): "🚨 TPA is now open to the public. 🚨✅ There was no major damage to facilities.📲 Please verify flight information with your airline.✈️ Delays and cancellations expected as airlines update schedules in response to impacts from Helene.Read more ⬇️https://t.co/W8KQ1mDIwn pic.twitter.com/LpS3mf9jUr / X"

  🚨 TPA is now open to the public. 🚨✅ There was no major damage to facilities.📲 Please verify flight information with your airline.✈️ Delays and cancellations expected as airlines update schedules in response to impacts from Helene.Read more ⬇️https://t.co/W8KQ1mDIwn pic.twitter.com/LpS3mf9jUr

• Grocery Stores

  Most Publix locations will be closed today. Check out the store locator map to see which location is open near you. Be sure to call the store before you leave to confirm.

  According to Google, some Tampa Bay area Aldi locations are open today, including Westchase, Oldsmar, New Tampa and Carrollwood. Be sure to call your local store to confirm. Google lists that stores like Target and Walmart are also open today.

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Publix Super Markets (@publix)

• When Will Schools Reopen?

  Hillsborough County- Closed Friday, September 27.
  Pinellas County – Closed Friday, September 27.
  Polk County – Closed Friday, September 27. Polk State College will be closed Thursday and Friday.
  Pasco County – Closed Friday, September 27.
  Sarasota County – Closed Friday, September 27.
  Citrus County – Closed Friday, September 27.
  Desoto County – No decision made at this time
  Hernando County- Closed Friday, September 27.
  Highlands County- School and extracurriculars will resume on Friday, September 27 as normal. 
  Manatee County- Closed Friday, September 27.

  

• Select Gas Stations

  Select gas stations such as: Speedway, 7-Eleven, Wawa, and Marathon gas stations are open. Be sure to call the location near you before you leave!

   

• Waffle House

  You know if they can, they’ll be open. We’ve been told multiple locations are open across Tampa. Call the store near you before you leave to be sure!

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Waffle House (@wafflehouseofficial)

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