Pinellas County, Florida Lifts Mandatory Evacuation Orders After Hurricane

Chris Nation, of Commerce, Ga., skids on puddles in the parking lot of the hotel where he's riding out Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Nation, who works for a towing company,

Officials in Pinellas County, Florida, have announced the lifting of mandatory evacuation orders that were issued prior to the arrival of Hurricane Milton. The county, which includes popular areas such as St. Petersburg and Clearwater, is now urging residents to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel as the region continues to recover from the impact of the storm.

While the evacuation orders have been lifted, many areas in Pinellas County are still facing challenges in terms of power outages, water shortages, and debris-laden roads. The county officials have emphasized the importance of limiting travel to allow crews to clear roads and restore essential services more efficiently.