Bridges throughout Tampa Bay are expected to close by Wednesday afternoon as Hurricane Milton approaches, preparing to make landfall. The closure of these bridges is a necessary precaution to ensure the safety of all residents. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and the cities of Tampa and Clearwater will work together to close the bridges once conditions become too hazardous for travel.
Coordinated Efforts to Ensure Public Safety
The four major bridges crossing Tampa Bay are anticipated to be closed by Wednesday afternoon as conditions worsen. FHP has already officially closed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge as of 11:40 a.m., due to sustained wind speeds exceeding 45 mph. Personnel and equipment are onsite, ready to close the remaining bridges once the need arises.
All those planning to evacuate via one of these bridges should act immediately, as conditions are expected to escalate quickly. Law enforcement and traffic control will be present to redirect motorists until it becomes too dangerous for personnel to remain on-site.
Bridge Closures and Monitoring
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is closed when sustained wind speeds surpass 45 mph. FHP made the decision to close it at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday. This precaution ensures that no vehicles are caught in dangerous wind conditions while crossing the bridge.
Howard Frankland and Gandy Bridges
The Howard Frankland Bridge and Gandy Bridge are closely monitored by FHP. FDOT works with the patrol to close these bridges when water begins to flood the roads leading to them. For safety reasons, the decision to close these bridges will be made when conditions reach a critical level.
Courtney Campbell Causeway
The Tampa Police Department and Clearwater Police Department are responsible for monitoring the Courtney Campbell Causeway. FDOT collaborates with these local agencies to close the bridge if the water level rises dangerously, making it unsafe to drive across.
Reopening Bridges After the Storm
Once it is safe to do so, the Tampa Bay bridges will reopen. When Hurricane Helene hit just two weeks ago, the bridges were reopened within 24 hours of landfall. However, the Howard Frankland Bridge did experience lane closures due to sustained damage. Local authorities will assess the situation post-storm to ensure a safe and efficient reopening process.
Preparing for Record Storm Surges
As Hurricane Milton nears, Tampa Bay is bracing for potential record-breaking storm surges. If Milton makes landfall as a Category 3 storm, around 500,000 homes in the Tampa and Sarasota regions could face storm surge flooding. If it escalates to a Category 4 storm, that number could rise to over 700,000 homes, according to CoreLogic, an analytics firm.
Evacuation and Tornado Warnings in Place
Major airports from Tampa to Sarasota have officially closed, and officials are advising residents to complete their evacuation efforts by mid-afternoon. Much of Central and South Florida is now under a tornado watch, which will remain in effect until 9 p.m. It is critical for evacuees to take precautions and remain off the roads as conditions continue to deteriorate.
Summary of Key Information:
- The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has already been closed, and other bridges will soon follow.
- Tampa Bay residents are advised to evacuate immediately, as bridges will close once conditions become unsafe.
- Storm surges are expected to impact hundreds of thousands of homes, especially if the storm intensifies.
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