The County’s no-cost transportation service for the transportation disadvantaged is ready to respond during emergency evacuations
For the past three decades, Hillsborough County's Sunshine Line has provided reliable service to seniors, low-income residents, and people with disabilities who have no other transportation options.
While residents typically see the bright blue bus pulling into places like grocery stores, banks, or medical offices, Sunshine Line vehicles play a critical role during hurricanes and other emergencies.
The moment an evacuation is called in Hillsborough County, Sunshine Line operators can quickly transition their roles to provide disaster support and help evacuate residents to special needs shelters with the help of numerous County partners.
The buses are retrofitted with wheelchair ramps and lifts to help the most vulnerable residents evacuate safely to special needs shelters. Sunshine Line drivers can navigate through smaller roads and neighborhoods that other emergency vehicles can't always reach.
"We are able to support those in the community who can't take care and support themselves in that manner. Having vehicles like these that are retrofitted, we're going to be able to support our community, people's families, so they have the opportunity to be in a safe place in the event of a storm," Sunshine Line Operations Manager Jerry Stickney said.
Those with special needs, seniors, and residents without transportation require extra attention to stay safe during a tropical storm or hurricane. Hillsborough County has programs in place to help these residents prepare and find safe shelter and transportation.
Residents can register online for a special needs shelter and Sunshine Line transportation in the event of a storm or other emergency.
A special needs shelter is a temporary emergency facility capable of providing care to residents whose medical condition may require the use of electrical equipment, oxygen, dialysis, or individuals who may require assistance from medical professionals. Although special needs shelters provide more care than a general shelter, they do not provide the level of care found in a medical facility.
Hillsborough County's Stay Safe page has everything residents and families need to know about disaster preparedness.
Residents can learn about their potential risks, find their evacuation and flood zones, learn how to prepare their homes, pack a disaster kit, and more.
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