Pinellas to cut access to barrier islands

Pinellas County announced late Saturday that access to the county’s barrier islands will end Sunday morning.

“Based on the latest weather projections, access to enter barrier islands in Pinellas County will be shut down at 6 a.m. on Sunday," a county alert stated. "This applies to all individuals and businesses, and includes all barrier islands from the Dunedin Causeway to Tierra Verde.”

People trying to leave the islands not be restricted.

A re-entry decision will be made and announced after the hurricane passes and safety assessments are completed.

A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for all residents in evacuation zone levels A and B, as well as all mobile home residents countywide.

Meanwhile, the Florida Highway Patrol said troopers will begin to secure the Skyway Bridge, Gandy Bridge, and Howard Frankland Bridge at sustained wind speeds of 40 mph.