Hillsborough County schools closed Friday, Oct. 7, not because Hurricane Matthew was a direct threat to the Tampa Bay area but because seven schools in the district were used as emergency shelters for those in danger on the East Coast of Florida.
In Plant City, Tomlin Middle and Strawberry Crest High schools converted into shelters for those evacuating Central Florida and the East Coast.
Strawberry Crest High School had two people, who came from Stuart, Florida, stay in the shelter. Tomlin Middle School had 60 evacuees stay in the shelter.
By 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, all evacuees at Tomlin had left the shelter and headed home.
Other Hillsborough County schools that activated their emergency plans and were opened as shelters included Brandon High, Riverview High, Burnett Middle, Summerfield Crossings Elementary and Pizzo Elementary.
According to Chief John Newman, Hillsborough County public school’s chief of school security and emergency, the county strategically selected shelter sites along the Interstate 4 corridor.
Each school had American Red Cross Disaster Relief volunteers stationed at them. About 152 people stayed in the shelters.
“Seventy percent of the evacuees were from Volusia County, Merritt Island, Daytona Beach and Brevard County,” Newman said.
Burnett Middle School was the only shelter that allowed pets, and it was the last shelter to close.
Although schools closed, extracurriculars and sports games were still held Friday, Oct. 7. Some Facebook users were surprised.
“Wow, can’t have school but can play sports?” Cynthia Kramer Miller asked on the Hillsborough County public school’s Facebook.
“The priority at the moment is opening up some of our schools as shelters to those who have to evacuate due to Hurricane Matthew,” Hillsborough County public schools responded.
Thankful for being underwhelmed
Briefly a hurricane, Tropical Storm Hermine tore through Plant City Thursday, Sept. 1. High winds uprooted trees, blew over fences, knocked down power lines, ripped roofs off and more.
A month later, in the face of Hurricane Matthew — a Category 5 — residents prepared. Whistle Stop Cafe and other business closed Friday, Oct. 7. Gas pumps were full. Wal-mart was out of bottled water the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 5. Residents gave advice on Facebook for other locations: Check Aldi. Winn Dixie had plenty. Walgreens on Jim Redman. Lowe’s put out about 10 pallets today.
“I love how everybody helps out each other in times as this,” Daria Holshouser Knapp wrote. “Be safe and think smart people.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Oct. 5, FEMA visited the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce to announce that Plant City was in Hurricane Matthew's impact zone. According to FEMA, residents will be qualified to receive assistance from storm damage.
But many residents escaped without damage to their homes.
“Don’t be negative about school closings and saying things like, ‘Hurricane Matthew,’ was nothing,’” Julie Hasting wrote on Facebook. “We are blessed the eye stayed along the coast. God is good. You can never take these disturbances lightly. We had a tornado here just weeks ago and had serious damage from a tropical storm. Be grateful, not hateful.”
Matthew’s Mayhem
Over 35 people in the United States have been confirmed dead. Areas in Florida Georgia, North Carolina and South Caroline experienced flooding.
Although Hurricane Matthew didn’t make landfall in Florida, more than 1 million customers lost power and 20,000 people sought refuge in shelters at the height of the storm. According to Tampa Electric, only 341 customers in the service area were without power.
St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited city, and Jacksonville received much attention for flooding. Video of 20 people trapped at Casablanca Inn, which was surrounded by water, in St. Augustine’s historic downtown, circulated the Internet. One third of the Jacksonville Beach Pier was ripped away by the storm surge.
In Haiti, over 1,000 people died and a cholera outbreak is feared, as more and more hospital patients are showing symptoms. Matthew made landfall in southwest Haiti as a Category 4 hurricane Tuesday, Oct. 4.
Emily Topper contributed to this report.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.