TAMPA, Fla — As we’re coming out of the holiday weekend, you may have questions or concerns about how Elsa will impact your drive across our Tampa Bay area bridges or flights out of the airport.
When it comes to our Tampa Bay area bridges, all of the equipment at the Howard Frankland construction site has been secured and moved away from the bridge ahead of Elsa.
FDOT says the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is the only bridge that would be closed if winds reached a sustained 40 mph.
Other bridges, including the Courtney Campbell and the Gandy Bridge, would only close if debris is in the road or if the Florida Highway Patrol blocks it.
Tampa International Airport resumed operations at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday after suspending operations at 5 p.m. Tuesday in preparation for Elsa.
It had originally planned to reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Ahead of the storm, the airport announced it would limit shuttle and other operations when sustained winds reach 40 mph. When speeds reach 50 mph, all operations are stopped. The decision on whether or not to ground or divert flights lies with the airlines.
Check with them for any cancellations or delays.
The airport will post live updates on its social media pages.
Hernando County shut down Pine Island Drive just before 11:00 a.m. Wednesday due to rising flood waters and warned of possible additional closures in the Hernando Beach and Weeki Wachee area as high tide approaches around noon.
Other road closures in Hernando County include:
- Citrus Way and Fort Dade Avenue, due to a power pole blocking the roadway
- Osowaw Boulevard and Shine Lane, due to flood water
- Eagle Nest Drive and Oak Leaf Lane, due to flood water
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