TAMPA, Fla. — Inbound and outbound vessel traffic to Port Tampa Bay has ceased in preparation for Hurricane Helene, officials said in a news release.
At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reportedly said the possibility of heavy winds could impact the port’s operations within the next 12 hours, leading to shipping channels being closed. But, officials added that landside operations will continue “as long as safely as possible.”
“Port Tampa Bay is working with the National Weather Service, U. S. Coast Guard and state and local partners to monitor the potential impact of Hurricane Helene in the Gulf,” Officials stated in the release. “As always, the Port’s priorities are safety of life, protection of the environment, and maritime commerce resiliency.”…