Pinellas County officials issued a mandatory evacuation order Tuesday for residents in evacuation Zone A who live in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living centers. Emergency management director Cathie Perkins said during a news conference on Tuesday that the order impacts two hospitals, 14 nursing homes and 10 assisted living facilities. "We are doing this because it does take them longer to evacuate and we want to make sure that we are protecting everybody," Perkins said. Pinellas County began evacuations for residents registered as having special needs at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
