Access to Pinellas County barrier islands, gulf beaches to be cut off at about 6 p.m.

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Access to the barrier islands and gulf beaches in Pinellas County will be shut off at about 6 p.m., according to county officials.

“If your road is not flooded and it is safe to leave, NOW IS YOUR LAST CHANCE to evacuate,” officials wrote. “If you do not leave, first responders may not be able to get to you for hours in severe storm conditions.”

Those who choose not to leave should shelter in the highest spot in their homes, officials said.

Water levels are expected to rise over the next several hours and could reach up to 8 feet in some areas of Zone A.

Helene is a Category 3 hurricane moving north-northeast at 23 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It’s expected to make landfall Thursday night in the Big Bend area. It will bring “catastrophic” storm surge to many parts of the Gulf Coast.

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