Florida officials continue to urge residents that haven’t evacuated yet to leave the area or seek shelter as Category 5 Hurricane Milton makes its way towards the state.
Jodie Fiske, Public Safety Director for Manatee County, told CNN’s Rosemary Church that as of Wednesday morning there are about 5,000 residents in shelters in the county.
Nine shelters are currently open, with more on standby and Fiske says the current shelters are at about 50% capacity.
“The fact that highways are packed are a sign that people are taking this very seriously,” Fiske said.
Manatee County is home to Bradenton and is just south of Tampa.
In Pasco County, officials are sending the same message to residents and urging them to seek shelter if they haven’t already.
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.
There are six shelters in the area at “quite high” capacity, according to Burns, but county officials have 10 additional shelters on standby.
“Do not hesitate,” Burns said, “If you can get out, get out.”
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.
Pasco County is located just north of Tampa and is home to New Port Richey and Land O’ Lakes.
Tampa General Hospital installs flood wall so it can remain open during the storm
From CNN’s Sara Smart and Elizabeth Wolfe
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
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.
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’s floodwaters about two weeks ago.
The Davis Islands location is also equipped with a water well and an on-site energy plant built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.
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.
“As 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,” the hospital system said.
Milton could spawn several tornadoes in its path
From CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford
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.
More than 3 million people across parts of central and southern Florida are now at an enhanced risk (or Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms, including the cities of Fort Myers, Sarasota and Melbourne, the SPC said.
Several tornadoes – including those rated EF 2 or higher – are possible in this region.
“As 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,” warns the SPC. It added, “A strong tornado or two could occur during the mid to late afternoon.”
A slight risk for tornadoes (or Level 2 of 5) 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.
Hurricane Helene spawned more than 30 tornadoes in the Southeast, but Milton’s tornado threat will likely be contained to Florida.
As Milton approaches, conditions will deteriorate across Florida Wednesday
From CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford
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
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.
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.
Just one day ago, Hurricane Milton’s tropical storm-force winds extended out 80 miles from the center. Now, the storm’s winds spread 140 miles from the center.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Florida health officials warn that floodwaters from Milton can increase risk of Vibrio infections
From CNN’s Dalia Faheid
Florida’s Department of Health is warning residents that floodwaters brought by Hurricane Milton can cause a potentially life-threatening infection.
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.
“After heavy rainfall and flooding, the concentration of these bacteria may rise, particularly in brackish and saltwater environments,” the department said in a news release Tuesday.
People with compromised immune systems, liver disease or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus.
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.
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.
Florida universities and colleges shutter ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall
From CNN’s Dalia Faheid
Across Florida, universities and colleges are shuttering their campuses as Hurricane Milton races toward the state’s Gulf Coast.
Here is a list of some of the universities and colleges that have announced closures ahead of the storm:
- University of Florida: The university will close its offices and cancel classes, including online classes, from Wednesday through Thursday, a university release said. The university expects to reopen Friday morning.
- University of South Florida: Campuses will be closed through at least Thursday. The university expects to only hold classes asynchronously on Friday, it said in a news release.
- Florida International University: All FIU campuses will be closed through Thursday, according to the university’s website. All classes, including online classes, and events have been canceled. An announcement will be made regarding university operations on Friday, the university said.
- Florida Atlantic University: All Florida Atlantic campuses have suspended operations and classes, including online classes, through Thursday, the university said in a post on X.
- University of Miami: Classes on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses will be remote through Thursday, the university said in a news release. In-person meetings and campus events have been canceled.
- Florida A&M University: All classes and campus operations at Florida A&M University campuses in Jacksonville, Brooksville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami-Davie have been suspended through Friday. The university is expected to resume normal operations on Saturday, and classes will resume on Monday, according to a news release. All assignments and exams will be suspended until Monday.
- Palm Beach State College: The college will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. All classes, extracurricular activities and special events have been canceled.
- Nova Southeastern University: The university’s Fort Myers, Tampa Bay and Orlando campuses will stay closed through Friday. Campus operations are scheduled to resume on Saturday.
- University of Central Florida: All classes and campus operations have been suspended through Friday. The university is expected to reopen for normal operations on Saturday, and classes will resume Monday. All assignments and exams remain suspended until Monday.
- Broward College: Broward College will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. The university anticipates reopening Friday.
- Miami Dade College: Classes and operations will be suspended through Thursday. All classes and regular operations are expected to resume as scheduled on Friday.
Hillsborough County halting debris collection at noon
From CNN’s Sara Smart
Hillsborough County is halting debris collection starting at noon on Wednesday as Hurricane Milton approaches the area.
The county has four sites that will be open from 7:00 a.m. local time to 12:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, weather permitting, according to Hillsborough County’s website.
The sites will collect any yard waste or storm debris that residents may need to get rid of.
Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, has a population of around 1.5 million.
The county is under a mandatory evacuation order for Evacuation Zones A & B and those in mobile homes, according to the county’s website.
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Our governments must continue to plead our case in all the international forums. Small islands like Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean nations are really at the mercy of the international community. We contribute the least to climate change and its effects yet we continue to bear the brunt of them. What Florida is about to experience could easily be Antigua and Barbuda or one of our neighbours Our economies can be wiped out in one storm and given the increase prevalence of these storms, this is a real possibility. I am frightened for Florida but at least they have the backing and resources of the Federal government behind them. One severe blow and we are done for a very long time.
I wish Florida all the best but we better read the signs and realize Jesus is coming back soon. Where was all this global warming in December and January when I felt some cold I never would have expected to experience in my little island?
oh yes! THE King of kings and Lord of lords is coming. May we all be ready for that universal occasion.
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