Emergency measures and preparations for Hurricane Milton in Florida

The state of Florida continues to implement safety and security measures to receive Hurricane Milton.

Florida is implementing an unprecedented mobilization of approximately 8,000 National Guard members in anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s arrival. This mobilization is complemented by the establishment of a camp at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, which will house 10,000 emergency response teams and debris cleanup workers. Additionally, thousands of trucks are being prepared and will be deployed after the hurricane impacts Florida.

As part of preventive measures, the state has prepared 600 ambulances and other emergency vehicles, and search and rescue teams from a dozen states are ready to provide support. These preparations indicate that authorities believe Hurricane Milton’s path could be particularly devastating for Gulf Coast counties, highlighting the threat of storm surges.

Regarding shelters, 14 additional locations have been identified. Tens of thousands of evacuees from Hurricane Milton are currently in public shelters, and Governor Ron DeSantis announced that there is capacity for more than 200,000 people. Each county under an evacuation order has at least one pet-friendly shelter and another that can accommodate individuals with special needs. DeSantis emphasized that the facilities are modest and prepared to receive people for the next 24 to 36 hours.

On another note, Osceola County has imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, until 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 10. During this period, the circulation of vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited, except for emergency services and those traveling for work-related reasons.

The strongest winds and heaviest rains from Hurricane Milton so far

The most destructive winds from Milton are still hours away from Florida’s coast, but strong winds and heavy rainfall are already battering the state. According to information shared by CNN, here are the most significant and recent reports:

Key West has recorded winds of up to 59 mph, the highest speed reported so far. Sarasota and Clearwater are experiencing steady winds of 52 mph. Meanwhile, the rain that began falling at midnight has impacted Sarasota with 4.04 inches accumulated so far. Northern Fort Myers reports 3.52 inches, while Tampa remains stable with only 2.37 inches recorded at this time.

Central Florida under tornado watch from Hurricane Milton

As a result of the incoming storm, the National Weather Service in Melbourne reported that Osceola County is under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. As of 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, other nearby counties, such as Okeechobee, Indian River, and Martin, are also under the watch.

The National Weather Service has issued 90 tornado warnings in Florida today, surpassing the record for alerts issued in a single day in the state. Several of these warnings have been classified as dangerous situation. According to reports from the weather service, at least 11 tornadoes have been confirmed in various areas of Florida since this morning.