‘Carts full’: Hurricane preparations begin in Hillsborough County

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In Hillsborough County, stores were slammed Monday afternoon as people raced to get the essentials before supplies run out.

“Going in, I saw a lot of people leaving just with stacks,” Angie Villarosa said. “I mean, carts full.”

When people see the cone of uncertainty, some think of loading up on water.

But for Villarosa, it takes her right back to 2018 when Hurricane Michael ripped through the panhandle, an area she said still isn’t same almost six years later.

Villarosa said this time she’s preparing differently, focusing less on meat and more on water.

“Definitely water,” she said. “I have some Powerade hiding under here because that’s definitely needed because it’s super hot without an air conditioner.”

“Eggs, something easy to keep and make on your grill,” she said.

Andrea Amores said her preparation is all about formula, as she walked to her car with seven cases of water.

“We’re preparing for the storm,” she said. “We have a baby so we need to make sure we’re stocked up.”

As people stock up their hurricane preparedness kits, some Hillsborough County parents are wondering if schools are going to close.

Hillsborough Superintendent Van Ayres said the district hasn’t quite decided whether schools will close or not.

“We’ll make a decision tomorrow,” he said. “We’ll look at the forecast obviously. Safety is our number one priority.”

Ayers said the county’s decisions will impact school closures.

“If we have to go to shelters, our schools are shelters so then we have to shut down our schools,” he said.

Sandbags will be available to the public starting from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following four locations in Hillsborough County:

• Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City, FL 33567
• E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
• Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa, FL 33626
• Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa, FL 33619

Click here to check your evacuation zone and find the shelters closest to you.

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