HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Emergency Management officials in Hernando County issued a voluntary evacuation order effective immediately and a mandatory evacuation order effective Tuesday at 9 a.m.

The voluntary evacuation called for all residents in Hernando County in low-lying areas and manufactured homes, and anybody West of US-19 “based on the intensive amount of rainfall in the area and storm surge,” officials said.

The mandatory evacuation, effective Tuesday at 9 a.m., will also call for all residents in Hernando County in low-lying areas and manufactured homes, and anybody West of US-19 which includes evacuation zones A, B, and C.

“Any areas that have historically flooded in the past will be flooded within the next five to seven days,” officials added. “Be very careful on roadways that have flooded in the past.”

Residents were advised to seek safe shelter with family or friends who live in a safe structure.

All shelters will be open and all schools will be closed starting Tuesday. The following HCSD sites will serve as shelters for Hernando residents:

• Challenger K8 – Those with special needs and their families ONLY.
• Explorer K8 – General population and pets.
• Shelters will open Tuesday at 9 a.m.

For the latest shelter information follow HCSD on social media platforms at @HernandoSchools

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