Tampa science museum and three USF campuses work to get reopened

MOSI, the Tampa science museum across from the University of South Florida, remains shut down because of a lack of electricity.

According to a statement, the museum in North Tampa came through Hurricane Milton without any significant damage but cannot reopen until power is restored. Officials are telling potential visitors to check its social media channels for updates.

A spokesperson for MOSI says there is no estimated time for the power to coming back.  "They know that the county and utilities companies are going to do all they can, and that they trust the crews to set the priorities the community needs, so they are OK with hanging tight." 

Meanwhile, USF, whose main campus is on Fowler Avenue across from MOSI, announced Friday afternoon that its Sarasota, Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses would stay closed until at least Monday.

Students with Monday classes will not have to attend in person and instead will receive assignments from their instructor that do not have to be turned in that day, according to a statement.

The university’s business operations are planned to restart remotely on Monday.

A few critical and essential employees are on campus working to get it reopened.

The teams are working to get residence halls and dining sites opened for students and it hopes to reopen them before Monday.”

Residence halls and dining in St. Petersburg may not be able to open prior to Monday, though, as the campus is under a boil water notice from the city until then, the university says.

The only exception will be that in-person classes held at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Taneja College of Pharmacy and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa will resume Monday. The university says that facility is fully operational.

The university warned people to stay away from the campuses until told it is safe to come back.