When can you return home, expect power after Hurricane Milton?

As shelters filled up and cars packed highways heading away from Tampa Bay earlier this week, all that movement prompted an uneasy question: When would evacuees be able to return?

Thanks in part to a late wobble that spared the region from the worst of Hurricane Milton’s storm surge, one sort of answer came quickly: By midday Thursday, Pinellas County and its barrier islands had been reopened, and all bridges into the county were passable. Those who had left and wanted to go home could do so.

But officials across the region reiterated the message that the reality on the ground was more complicated. Debris and downed power lines have caused street closures and, along with traffic-light outages, have made being on the road hazardous.

“Our message to you this morning is really simple,” said Cathie Perkins, Pinellas’ emergency management director. “Please stay home.”

Meanwhile, many homes still lack electricity — in Pinellas, about three-quarters of residents still couldn’t turn on their lights as of early afternoon, Perkins said. And some areas are experiencing poor water pressure and facing boil-water notices.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said it was “unclear” how long it might take to restore power to the more than 3 million who lost it during Milton.

“Quite frankly, the damage assessment is still underway, so we’re at a very, very early stage,” he said.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch have sent the same message for residents to stay off roads unless absolutely necessary. Hillsborough County has told residents to boil their water if they have low water pressure, and though St. Petersburg residents got potable water and sewer services back Thursday morning, they also face low pressure and are under a boil notice — as are Gulfport and Temple Terrace.

Residents returning to their homes and businesses can expect a handful of isolated road closures, particularly in west Pinellas County, per Florida traffic data. But major arteries and bridges, including those to the barrier islands, have reopened.

Floodwaters impeded some roads Thursday, including in parts of Tampa near the University of South Florida; St. Petersburg’s North Kenwood neighborhood; and Zephyrhills in Pasco County.

In Hillsborough County, small snippets of roadway were blocked by fallen trees and debris. That included a segment of Sligh Avenue south of Temple Terrace.

Closures in Pinellas are concentrated in Shore Acres, Palm Harbor and west county neighborhoods. County Road 95 is closed east of its intersection with U.S. Route 19 due to flooding. Farther south, Bel-Keene Drive off of Belleair Road was reported closed earlier Thursday.

Check here for more road closures.

• • •

Tampa Bay Times hurricane coverage 2024

5 things to know about the 2024 hurricane season, according to forecasters.

Forecasters predict ‘extremely active’ 2024 hurricane season. Here’s why.

Want to know what areas are flooding in Tampa Bay? Here’s where to look.

Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits.