MIAMI — With Helene strengthening into a hurricane on Wednesday and expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday, many public buildings and offices have begun closing in preparation for the storm.
Here’s where places are open and closed as Hurricane Helen approaches Florida: CBS News Miami will continually update this list of closed locations as our NEXT Weather team monitors the storm.
Government Shutdown
Of the 61 counties where Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency, 29 have announced closures this week, according to the Florida Department of Management Services.
Alachua: Wednesday to ThursdayBradford: Thursday to FridayCitrus: Wednesday to ThursdayClay: Wednesday to FridayDixie: Thursday to FridayDuvall: Thursday to FridayFranklin: Wednesday to FridayGadsden: Wednesday to FridayGilcrist: Wednesday to FridayHamilton: Thursday to FridayHernando: Wednesday to ThursdayHillsboro: Thursday to FridayJackson: Thursday to FridayLafayette: Thursday to FridayLee: Thursday to FridayLeon: Wednesday to FridayLevy: Thursday to FridayLiberty: Thursday to FridayMadison: Thursday to FridayManatee: Thursday to FridayPasco: Thursday to FridayPinellas: Wednesday to ThursdayPutnam: Wednesday to FridaySarasota: Wednesday to ThursdaySuwanee: Thursday to FridayTaylor: Wednesday to ThursdayUnion: Thursday to FridayWakulla: Wednesday to FridayWashington: Thursday to Friday
With Hurricane Helen approaching, the City of Tampa announced that all offices will be closed starting Thursday “to allow city staff to focus on emergency response activities as the storm approaches.” Additionally, trash, recycling and waste collection will be suspended for both residential and commercial properties on Thursday.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), these closures are also expected to impact DMV services, although the department noted that “some driver’s license and motor vehicle services are provided by county tax collectors or license plate agents and may not be affected by FLHSMV office closures.” For information related to these cases, please visit their respective websites.
Road and Traffic Closures
As of Wednesday afternoon, no road or bridge closures had been announced, but the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com to be aware of potential closures and detours.
Tampa International Airport announced Wednesday that it had suspended flights due to Hurricane Helene and would resume operations “as soon as it is safe to do so.”
🚨 TPA to suspend operations due to Helen 🚨
🫡 We will close at 2am on Thursday and will reopen when it is safe to do so.
✈️ Check directly with airlines for up to date flight information
⛈️ TPA is not a shelter
📲 Follow us on social media for the latest updates
1/2 pic.twitter.com/6MSfKhaJNj
— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) September 25, 2024
For the latest information on specific dealers operating in your area, please check their websites.
Hospitals and Medical Services
Orlando-based nonprofit OneBlood announced on its website that its Big Red Bus blood donation centers and mobile blood drives will end early Wednesday morning at the following locations:
Crestview, FL; Douglas, GA; Fort Walton, FL; Marianna, FL; Panama City, FL; Pensacola, FL; Tallahassee, FL; Thomasville, GA
North Florida Oncologists shared with X that their Clay, Fleming Island, Riverside and Northside offices will all be closed starting at 12 p.m. Thursday, with the remaining offices closing at 2 p.m.
Message regarding Hurricane Helen and current office closures.
We hope you all stay safe! pic.twitter.com/7sptcAWjh7
— Cancer Specialists of North Florida (@_CSNF) September 25, 2024
School closures
As Hurricane Helen intensified, several universities in its path announced cancellations of classes and other student-related closures.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools announced they would move all outdoor activities indoors, including after-school care, and open all schools Thursday. All operations continued as normal on Wednesday.
— Miami-Dade Schools (@MDCPS) September 25, 2024
Broward County
Broward Public Schools announced Wednesday night that all campuses would be closed Thursday, including before- and after-school child care, after-school activities, field trips and evening events and classes.
Dear parents and students, @Broward Schools Operational updates. pic.twitter.com/34vQ1TLNGe
— Broward Schools (@browardschools) September 25, 2024
Monroe County Public Schools
All schools and district offices will be closed Thursday, according to the Monroe County Public Schools Facebook page.
University of Florida
The University of Florida announced Wednesday that offices and classes will be closed Thursday, resuming at 7 a.m. Friday. All academic and student-related activities, including online classes, will be suspended during this time. The university said students with online learning who live within the storm’s path beyond the Gainesville campus should talk to their faculty about special arrangements.
Essential UF employees should check with their supervisors regarding schedules, and UF Health hospitals and clinics are continuing to operate as usual, UF said.
Florida State University
Florida State University announced Tuesday that it would close its Tallahassee campus Wednesday through Sunday from 11 p.m. FSU said it plans to resume normal operations on Monday.
FSU’s Tallahassee campus will be closed from 7am ET on Wednesday, September 25th until 11pm ET on Sunday, September 29th due to the effects of Tropical Storm Helene. FSU plans to resume normal operations on Monday, September 30th at 12am ET.
For more information and updates, please visit https://t.co/LxTBNwO7HI
— Florida State University (@FloridaState) September 24, 2024
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is monitoring Hurricane Helen and has announced that all classes will be canceled starting Wednesday and will not resume until Monday. Additionally, all USF campuses will be closed starting Wednesday and will remain closed through at least Friday.
USF also has its own hurricane guide for students, faculty and staff to keep on hand in preparation for a storm.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida announced it would suspend all campus operations and classes, including online classes, on Thursday in preparation for Hurricane Helen. UCF said it plans to operate normally for the rest of Wednesday and resume classes at 6 a.m. Friday.
“We have no intention of reducing the campus population,” the university said.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University will close its campus to all operations, including classes and events, starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday. FGCU said the university will remain closed on Thursday and will announce its plan for Friday’s operations later that afternoon.
Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University announced Tuesday that it was canceling classes from now through Friday and suspending all academic activities in preparation for disruptions caused by the storm. The university itself will close starting Wednesday and is scheduled to reopen on Friday, FAMU said.
Will Publix remain open?
Publix, a Florida-wide grocery chain, said all of its stores are currently open during normal business hours and that it continues to monitor Hurricane Helen and provide updates through its online situation tool.
The theme park is currently open
Disney World remained open to the public as of Wednesday, but park officials said on their website that “the safety of our guests and cast members remains our top priority and we are closely monitoring the storm’s path.”
Universal Studios also said its theme parks will remain open for now, but Volcano Bay will be closed on Thursday as officials monitor the storm.
The latest news from Universal Orlando Resort.
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit https://t.co/Om4v3XkbTA pic.twitter.com/p3okxxGyA4
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) September 25, 2024
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Hunter Geisel
