The Florida Aquarium Will Close Thursday for Hurricane Helene

September 25, 2024

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Tampa, FL (September 25, 2024) – Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Helene on the Tampa Bay area:

• The Florida Aquarium will remain open until 5 p.m. today.
• The Aquarium will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Guests who purchased tickets for tomorrow can email MoreInfo@FLaquarium.org or call (813) 273-4000 to reschedule the visit.
• The plan is to reopen on Friday, September 27 at 9:30 a.m., resuming normal business hours.

The Florida Aquarium has a comprehensive hurricane preparedness plan to ensure the safety and well-being of its nearly 20,000 aquatic and terrestrial animals, staff, guests, and facilities. This detailed plan encompasses pre-storm preparations, actions during the storm, and recovery efforts post-storm.

>> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO & PHOTOS OF THE AQUARIUM’S STORM PREPARATIONS + AN INTERVIEW <<

Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium

Since the weekend, hundreds of staff and volunteers have been working nearly around the clock securing the property, both the Downtown Tampa location and the Apollo Beach conservation campus, taking down tents and other objects that could be impacted by the wind, ensuring all animals have adequate food, oxygen, and medical supplies, preparing meals, and moving some animals to temporary habitats on higher levels of the Aquarium.

During the storm, a dedicated team of around two dozen engineers and animal care staff will remain at the Aquarium to care for the animals, monitor life support systems, manage generators, and assess any damage in real-time.

This summer, The Florida Aquarium earned its first StormReady® certification from the National Weather Service, becoming the only aquarium in Florida and one of 164 sites statewide to achieve this recognition. This certification demonstrates the Aquarium’s commitment to safety and preparedness by meeting stringent criteria, including establishing a 24-hour emergency operations center, implementing severe weather alert systems, and conducting regular preparedness drills.

Stay tuned to our social media channels for any additional updates: X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.