Hurricane Evacuation Routes

Moving You To Safety

During a hurricane evacuation, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority buses run special evacuation routes for people who need transportation to shelters. These routes are provided to assist people who have no other options for getting to safety, and should be considered only as a last resort. HART and the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management urge you to make arrangements now for the safety of your family should a storm force you from your home.

The Hurricane Evacuation System map is below. Click here to view a larger version. To view individual route maps, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Plan Ahead

Don't wait for the last minute to make arrangements or to implement your evacuation plan as you may find yourself stranded. Contact relatives, friends, faith-based groups or other organizations for assistance with shelter and evacuation.

However, if you are in need of public transportation before a storm, here’s what you need to know to use HART’s bus evacuation service.

How it Works

• HART evacuation bus routes are designated with letters “A” through “J.” Check the evacuation routes map to determine whether you are in an evacuation zone, and which route will serve your area.
   
• This is a fixed-route system, with each route assigned to deliver passengers to one of four specified Red Cross shelters
   
• If a hurricane is threatening our area, the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will advise HART when to begin evacuation transportation service. HART’s regular service will be suspended and evacuation routes will begin running upon advisement by the EOC that shelters have been opened.
   
• Evacuation buses will operate during daylight hours only.
   
• The EOC will advise HART when buses and other high-profile vehicles need to get off the roads, and evacuation service will be suspended.
   
• Service is free of charge.
   
• All HART buses are ADA accessible and and can accommodate a maximum of two wheelchairs at any time.

How and Where to Board

There are two ways to catch an evacuation route bus:

1. Specific stops along each route are marked with blue and white “Emergency Shelter Bus Stop” signs. You may board at one of these stops.

2. The evacuation routes are also “flag stop” routes. Stand at a corner anywhere along the route and as the bus approaches, wave it down with your hands.

If you're evacuating to a destination along the route other than the designated Red Cross shelter, you may ask the driver to stop. No weapons, alcohol or flammable materials will be allowed on the bus. Contact the EOC at (813) 272-6900 for specific regulations for the shelter you’re going to.

Before You Leave

• Secure your home for evacuation 
• Gather evacuation kit and important valuables 
• Tell relatives, friends, and/or neighbors where you’re going

What to Carry On Board
Suggested Items

• One suitcase per person
• Change of clothing for three days per person
• Medications and toiletries
• Pillows and blankets
• Flashlight/batteries
• Identification
• Cash, travelers checks
• Valuable papers
• Drinking water and some non-perishable food
• Books, games

Shelters Served by HART Evacuation Bus Routes: (see map for details)

Sickles High School, Sheldon Rd. and Gunn Hwy., Tampa
(Routes D and I)

Pizzo Elementary School, Bull Run and Fowler Ave., Tampa
(Routes A, B, F, J)

Middleton High School, Osborne and 22nd St., Tampa
(Routes E, G, H)

Doby Elementary School, 6720 Covington Garden Dr., Apollo Beach
(Route C)

Shelters subject to change

Planning for Service Interruption

An approaching hurricane presents a number of risks and unknowables. To minimize the risk of stranding customers without a way to get home, HART will make an attempt to suspend service at the beginning of the service day, rather than midday, based on the best information available. If the service day begins, but the risk of a midday suspension is possible, boarding riders are advised to ask the bus operator about the potential suspension of service. If service is suspended, HART may not be able to provide a return trip. Service is suspended when wind speed exceeds a sustained 39 m.p.h.

Commuter Express cusotmers especially should have a contingency plan due to the longer length of their trips. If the bus operator advises you in the morning that a return trip might not be available due to changing weather conditions, you should consider driving your own vehicle, carpooling, or staying home from work that day, if possible. HART recommends that every Commuter Express rider have a friend or co-worker who could give them a ride home in the event of just such an emergency.

In a worst-case scenario, two of the designated HART evacuation routes operate from just outside the gates of MacDill AFB, at MacDill Avenue and at Dale Mabry. These routes, designated “D” and “G,” can be found on the maps below. The routes will transport anyone who is stranded to a Red Cross hurricane evacuation shelter.

Please note - after regular service has been suspended due to an impending storm, the evacuation routes will be the ONLY HART service in operation, and these routes ONLY serve the designated Red Cross evacuation shelters.

Emergency alerts will be provided to the media anytime there is a change in HART's service status. Please monitor your local TV and radio stations and newspapers. HART has also partnered with Bay News 9, on Bright House Networks, as part of its Emergency Notification System. Bay News 9 will provide updates as needed on HART services during emergency situations.

Evacuating Other Areas

The Hillsborough County School District will operate school buses to evacuate people in areas not covered by the ten HART routes. Please contact the EOC at (813) 272-6900 for more information.

After the Storm

• When you exit the bus at the shelter, remember the route letter of the bus you were riding. Slips with the route letter printed on them will be handed to you as your board the bus.
   
• After the EOC has established that it is safe for you to return home, buses will depart from the shelters to return to your original pick-up point.
   
• Look for the bus with your route letter. Buses will run the same routes back to your original pick-up point.
   
• There will be great demand for buses on the return trips, so they may require extended waiting periods. Please allow families with small children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities to board first. Your patience is requested and appreciated.

Special Needs

If you have a medical or other condition requiring special assistance, you must register with the Hillsborough County Health Department to be assigned to a special needs shelter. To register call (813) 307-8015. You can also download the special needs assessment form to see if you qualify for a special needs shelter. Go to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/emergency and click on “Programs and Services,” then “Special Needs Shelters.” The Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will manage transportation to special needs shelters. If you have questions, please contact the EOC at (813) 272-6900.

Emergency Contact Numbers

HARTinfo Line - (813) 254-4278
Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center - (813) 272-6900
Hillsborough County Health Department - (813) 307-8015
Hillsborough Red Cross - (813) 251-0921
Hillsborough County Sheriff - (813) 247-8200
Tampa Police Department - (813) 276-3200
Tampa Fire Rescue - (813) 274-7011
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue - (813) 272-6600
Emergency - 911

Due to the nature of changing weather conditions, this information may change. Please monitor local media sources for up-to-date information.

Evacuation Route Maps