While a mandatory evacuation order is in effect for residents in Zone A ahead of Hurricane Helene’s arrival Thursday, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office does not plan to move inmates from the overcrowded jail that sits within a flood-prone area.

Pinellas County officials are urging residents in Evacuation Zone A and mobile homes to evacuate immediately. The deadline for safe evacuation is noon today, after which rising floodwaters will make roads impassable,

Pinellas County officials issued a mandatory evacuation order Tuesday for residents in evacuation Zone A who live in health care facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living centers.

Officials in Pinellas County say residents in Zone A or in a mobile home anywhere in the county should be evacuated before Thursday morning. They’re in mandatory evacuation zones.

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:

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.