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What’s Opened And Closed In Tampa Bay After Hurricane Helene

By Jen Glorioso
ST. PETE BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 26: Vehicles drive along a flooded street as Hurricane Helene churns offshore on September 26, 2024 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Later today, Helene is forecast to become a major hurricane, bringing the potential for deadly storm surges, flooding rain, and destructive hurricane-force winds along parts of the Florida West Coast. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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.

     

  • 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.

  • 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.

    School bus on blacktop with clean sunny background

  • 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!

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