The aquarium is expecting severe flooding and possible impacts of storm surge — estimated to be upwards of ten feet for the area.

Volunteers will hunker down in Tampa to safeguard one of Florida’s most vulnerable populations from Hurricane Milton: the animals. The so-called “ride-out team” of roughly a dozen staffers from ZooTampa — including care staff and a medic — is set to stay behind and seek shelter with scared animals after giving up the chance to evacuate the region,

As Florida's Tampa Bay residents prepare for the impact of Hurricane Milton, the city's zoo and aquarium are working on emergency preparations for the animals as well. In a statement Tuesday, a spokesperson for ZooTampa said the facility has a "comprehensive hurricane preparedness plan to ensure the safety and well-being of its animals and team members.