The latest on hurricane preparations: Hillsborough County

Today only: Free puppies until 7 p.m.!

Hillsborough County’s conservation parks and preserves will be closed Friday through Labor Day. The closure will free up about 150 County employees to help with sandbagging efforts.

Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center also will be closed on Friday through Labor Day. Fees are waived today, Thursday, for all ready-to-go pets. The Pet Resource Center closes at 7 p.m.

Sandbags in the city of Tampa

The city of Tampa has opened a sandbag location for city residents at three locations. The sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday:

Himes Avenue Complex, 4501 S Himes Ave.

MacFarlane Park, 1700 N MacDill Ave.

Al Barnes Park, 2902 N 32nd St.

Residents must show identification to verify they live in the city limits. Acceptable forms include a valid driver’s license, utility bill or electric bill. There is a limit of 10 bags per person.

Sandbags, evacuation and staying connected

Hillsborough County emergency officials are urging people to follow their emergency plan and make preparations as Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida.

Emergency Operations Center

Hillsborough County, out of an abundance of caution, has partially activated its Emergency Operations Center. A limited activation of the center allows the county and partner agencies to better monitor the storm track and coordinate resources and operations if necessary.

Sandbags

Hillsborough County will make sandbags available to the public 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at three County parks.

Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City

E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin

Ed Radice Park, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa

Hillsborough County residents are eligible for up to 10 sandbags per family by showing a drivers license, utility bill or other proof they live in the county.More information is at

More information is at (813) 272-5900 to request additional information or visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe.

Shelters and evacuations

Hillsborough County has not opened any shelters or issued any evacuations at this time.

Evacuation zone

Visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe for a link to Hillsborough County’s Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool, known as HEAT, to find which of the five evacuation zones you live in and information on s

Getting connected

Residents and visitors can register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts.

To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFLGov.net/StaySafe.

Check on prescriptions

The Florida Department of Health is urging people to refill their prescription medications, making sure you have at least a minimum two-week supply and that medicine has not expired.

Those who take prescription medication should also keep a list of all their prescription medications, dosages and any other special instructions with their emergency medication supply.

Under Florida law, people can obtain a 30-day refill of their prescription medication — even if they have just refilled it — if they reside in a county that:

Is under a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service, is under a state of emergency executive order declared by the governor, or has activated its emergency operations center/emergency management plan.

Under these circumstances, any health insurer, managed care organization or other entity licensed by the state must waive the “refill too soon” restrictions on prescriptions.