{"id":213489,"date":"2024-10-09T05:37:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T09:37:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=213489"},"modified":"2024-10-09T05:37:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T09:37:58","slug":"thousands-flee-as-hurricane-milton-barrels-toward-florida-could-be-one-of-most-destructive-storms-on-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/thousands-flee-as-hurricane-milton-barrels-toward-florida-could-be-one-of-most-destructive-storms-on-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands flee as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, could be one of most destructive storms on record"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Florida officials continue to urge residents that haven\u2019t evacuated yet to leave the area or seek shelter as Category 5 Hurricane Milton makes its way towards the state.<\/p>

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Jodie Fiske, Public Safety Director for Manatee County, told CNN\u2019s Rosemary Church that as of Wednesday morning there are about 5,000 residents in shelters in the county.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine shelters are currently open, with more on standby and Fiske says the current shelters are at about 50% capacity.<\/p>

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\u201cThe fact that highways are packed are a sign that people are taking this very seriously,\u201d Fiske said.<\/p>

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Manatee County is home to Bradenton and is just south of Tampa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Pasco County, officials are sending the same message to residents and urging them to seek shelter if they haven\u2019t already.<\/p>

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Colin Burns, Deputy Incident Commander in Pasco County, told CNN that the county is housing about 3,000 residents in shelters as of Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are six shelters in the area at \u201cquite high\u201d capacity, according to Burns, but county officials have 10 additional shelters on standby.<\/p>

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\u201cDo not hesitate,\u201d Burns said, \u201cIf you can get out, get out.\u201d<\/p>

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Crews in the area have worked tirelessly to clean up debris left from Hurricane Helene and will continue to work while the weather permits them to do so, according to Burns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasco County is located just north of Tampa and is home to New Port Richey and Land O\u2019 Lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>1 hr 55 min ago<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tampa General Hospital installs flood wall so it can remain open during the storm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From CNN’s Sara Smart and Elizabeth Wolfe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A hospital worker walks by as a flood wall is put into place around Tampa General Hospital on Davis Islands on October 8, 2024. Bryan R. Smith\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tampa General Hospital is determined to stay open as Hurricane Milton barrels through and is taking several steps to protect its facilities, including erecting a flood barrier around its campus on Davis Islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flood barrier, known as an AquaFence, is a water-impermeable barrier that is made to withstand storm surge up to 15 feet above sea level, the hospital said in a release. The fence successfully protected the facility from Hurricane Helene\u2019s floodwaters about two weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Davis Islands location is also equipped with a water well and an on-site energy plant built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its main campus and three other facilities, Tampa General has stockpiled five days worth of food, linens and other supplies, and placed staff who are trained in emergency management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs soon as the storm passes, and the roads are safe, additional providers and staff will return to work to relieve teams and continue supporting response and recovery efforts,\u201d the hospital system said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>2 hr 23 min ago<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milton could spawn several tornadoes in its path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane Milton will ramp up in intensity throughout the day Wednesday, placing several cities at risk of experiencing tornadoes, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) warns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 3 million people across parts of central and southern Florida are now at an enhanced risk (or Level 3 of 5<\/a>) for severe thunderstorms, including the cities of Fort Myers, Sarasota and Melbourne, the SPC said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several tornadoes \u2013 including those rated EF 2 or higher \u2013 are possible in this region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs Hurricane Milton moves across the Florida Peninsula today, several tornadoes will be likely across parts of the central and southern Florida Peninsula, into the Florida Keys,\u201d warns the SPC. It added, \u201cA strong tornado or two could occur during the mid to late afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A slight risk for tornadoes (or Level 2 of 5<\/a>) surrounds the enhanced risk area and spreads from southern Florida to central Florida. The area is home to more than 10 million people and includes Miami, Tampa and Orlando. Tornadoes are the main threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane Helene spawned more than 30 tornadoes in the Southeast, but Milton\u2019s tornado threat will likely be contained to Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>2 hr 35 min ago<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Milton approaches, conditions will deteriorate across Florida Wednesday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A boarded up business stands beside a deserted street in an evacuation zone on Florida’s Anna Maria Island on October 8, 2024. Rebecca Blackwell\/AP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on the west coast of Florida around midday Wednesday, spreading across the peninsula and reaching the east coast at night, the National Hurricane Center warns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the northwestern Bahamas. They are also possible on the Georgia and South Carolina coasts on Thursday, the NHC said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just one day ago, Hurricane Milton\u2019s tropical storm-force winds extended out 80 miles from the center. Now, the storm\u2019s winds spread 140 miles from the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This trend is expected to continue until landfall, with Milton expected to bring tropical storm-force winds to much of the Florida Peninsula throughout landfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conditions will deteriorate across the state through the day Wednesday as Milton approaches, becoming widespread around midday. Hurricane conditions are expected in some areas beginning Wednesday evening through early Thursday and are possible in other areas on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane Milton is still a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 160 mph, according to the 2 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. The storm is located about 360 miles southwest of Tampa, moving northeast at 12 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with the powerful wind gusts, heavy rainfall is expected for much of Florida. Flood watches remain in effect for nearly 20 million people, with 6 to 12 inches of rainfall and isolated totals up to 18 inches possible across central to northern Florida through Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>2 hr 42 min ago<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida health officials warn that floodwaters from Milton can increase risk of Vibrio infections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From CNN’s Dalia Faheid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida\u2019s Department of Health is warning residents that floodwaters brought by Hurricane Milton can cause a potentially life-threatening infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents should avoid floodwaters because they increase the risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which can be life-threatening, the department said. Vibrio bacteria, which is commonly found in warm coastal waters, can make people sick when swallowed or when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter heavy rainfall and flooding, the concentration of these bacteria may rise, particularly in brackish and saltwater environments,\u201d the department said in a news release <\/a>Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with compromised immune systems, liver disease or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, chills, fast or high heart rate, confusion or disorientation, the Health Department said. People who experience these symptoms should immediately get medical attention, especially after being exposed to floodwaters, the department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid getting the bacterial infection, people should avoid swimming or wading in floodwaters, cover open cuts or wounds with waterproof bandages if they could come in contact with floodwaters, and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water after contact with the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>2 hr 37 min ago<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida universities and colleges shutter ahead of Hurricane Milton\u2019s landfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From CNN’s Dalia Faheid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across Florida, universities and colleges are shuttering their campuses as Hurricane Milton races toward the state\u2019s Gulf Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a list of some of the universities and colleges that have announced closures ahead of the storm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n