PASCO COUNTY, FL – Preparations and evacuations continue across much of Florida as powerful Hurricane Milton bears down on the state’s West Coast.
According to the Associated Press, the hurricane was once again upgraded to a Category 5 on Tuesday as it moved across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It was expected to reach the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night somewhere near the Tampa Bay region Storm surge and hurricane warnings on the state’s west and east coasts remained in effect.
Along with sustained winds of 125 mph, forecasters said the storm could also bring more than a foot of rain to areas north of its eye, and up to 18 inches in some spots. “You’re going to see flooding of homes and businesses, you’re going to see rescues. It will flood in areas that don’t normally flood,” said Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center. “I’m pleading with you to get out of those storm surge evacuation areas if you have not yet.”
As of Tuesday, 11 counties were under mandatory evacuation orders, including Citrus County, Pasco County, Marion County and Hernando County.
WTVT reported that emergency officials in Pasco County were urging residents to take heed of the warnings ahead of the hurricane. “Pasco County will be impacted with catastrophic surge, catastrophic winds,” Pasco County Emergency Management Director Andy Fossa said.
There was an exodus of residents hitting the roads to avoid Hurricane Milton, including those from Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties who were snarled in traffic on U.S. 19.
“This is a storm not to be played with,” Fossa said. “It’s a storm that’s going to be unprecedented.”
Florida’s emergency management director Kevin Guthrie urged people to leave vulnerable areas as soon as possible. “If your plan calls for you to evacuate, you should do so today,” he said.
Many homes and businesses have still been cleaning up from the damage left behind by Hurricane Helene, and there was concern over debris that had still not been picked up before the arrival of Milton.
“I encourage you that anything that can become a flying missile, wood, 2x4s, metal, please try to store them back within your house,” Fossa said.
The state assigned hundreds of workers to try and clear the streets of furniture, appliances, and other debris.
“It may not have been humanly possible to have all the debris cleaned up from Helene before Milton hit, just because of how much there was,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
The National Hurricane Center said Milton had the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.
Following a hurricane, like Hurricane Helene and Milton, Florida insurance companies are inundated with insurance claims. They may try to delay, deny, or undervalue your insurance claim, providing “lowball” repair estimates and settlement proposals. Our Florida hurricane and storm damage claims attorneys at Whittel & Melton will fight for your rights if your insurance carrier has unfairly rejected or reduced your storm damage claim. We will make sure you receive the total and just compensation you are entitled to for hurricane damage in Florida. We can be reached by phone at 866-608-5529 or through our online contact form.