TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Pinellas County officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for Zone A and all mobile homes on Wednesday. The mandatory evacuation, announced during a briefing, took effect immediately. Emergency shelters are now open. This article will be updated with more information about shelters as it becomes available.

On Wednesday, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties issued mandatory evacuation orders for people in Zone A. To find your evacuation zone, in Pinellas, go to: https://kyz.pinellas.gov/ These are the shelters open to Pinellas County according to a press release from Pinellas County:

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. - Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen to a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. It is anticipated to bring tropical storm force winds and life-threatening storm surge flooding of 5-8 feet and flash flooding to the Pinellas County area.

They’re predicting three to six inches of rain, 60 mph winds and think the higher surge and higher tides will stick around for 24 to 36 hours. Cathie Perkins, the director of Pinellas County Emergency Management, said if you flooded during Idalia or Eta, you’re probably going to flood again during Helene.

Officials in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have issued mandatory evacuations for people located in Zone A, areas that are low-lying and prone to flooding.

Multiple counties across the west coast of Florida have issued mandatory evacuations. Find out where storm shelters and other information can be found to prepare for Hurricane Helene.