As of noon, voluntary evacuations for low-lying Pinellas, mobile homes
By ANITA KUMAR
Published September 4, 2004
Pinellas County issued a voluntary evacuation starting at noon today for mobile homes and people who live in low-lying or poorly drained areas.
Gary Vickers, county emergency management director, expects the most rain between 1 a.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday.
"We're seeing this as a real rainmaker," Vickers said.
Six shelters will be open starting at noon: Pinellas Park High School, East Lake High School, John Hopkins Middle School in St. Petersburg, Kennedy Middle School in Clearwater, Northside Baptist Church in St. Petersburg and First United Methodist Church in Tarpon Springs.
County officials estimate there are 55,000 mobile homes in Pinellas County, but about half of those are only occupied half the year.
