‘Very Dire’ Milton to Pack Tornados, Cat 4+ Winds, Life-Threatening Surge, and Days of Flash Flooding for Florida

October 8, 2024 PM Update – Hurricane Milton is back to being a Category 5 hurricane tonight, with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, still heading toward the West-Central Florida coast.  Today was the last day to make preparations as landfall is expected tomorrow (Wednesday) evening or during the overnight hours of Thursday morning.  Coupled with “very dire” storm surge, more rain now than originally forecast, the threat of tornados preceding the storm, and flash flooding for up to a week after the storm, Milton is shaping up tonight to be a monster.

Evacuation traffic today on I-75 Northbound leaving Tampa

“Evacuate today, if you have been told to do so,” advised State Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie at an afternoon news conference with Governor DeSantis.  “If you have been asked to evacuate, and you ask yourself, ‘Should I?’ I would ask you to ask the next question, ‘Is it worth the risk?’”

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor put it more bluntly to her city’s 385,000 residents and the greater 1.5 million residents who live in Hillsborough County, telling those who choose to stay in evacuation areas, “You are going to die.” 

While the storm has made a slight shift to the south, it could easily “wobble” and shift again as it approaches the coast, and is expected to do so tonight with a turn to the northeast.  The Tampa Bay area remains in the center of the forecasted path cone.  National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasters are warning “not to be fooled” by the hurricane’s frequent eyewall replacements, as whatever it may lose in maximum wind speeds, it will more than make up for by its growth in sheer size.  Hurricane-force winds extend 30 miles and tropical storm force winds extend 140 miles from its center.  Forecasters expect those wind fields to at least double in width by landfall tomorrow evening or very early Thursday morning.

We’ll start feeling Milton’s winds as early as tomorrow midday, making this a very long storm to bear.  Forecasters predict Milton will maintain hurricane strength after landfall and “will cut a swath of damaging winds” from landfall through its trek across the Florida peninsula, before it exits into the Atlantic Ocean – still as an expected Category 1 hurricane.  

Storm Surge: “Extremely life-threatening storm surge” of 10-15 feet is forecast, where Milton’s high winds will literally push Gulf water ashore, swamping the beaches, coastline, and any property along the way.  NHC forecasters say if the center of the storm crosses north of Tampa Bay, they have high confidence of surge of up to 15 feet.  If the center crosses directly over Tampa Bay or to the south, surge will be much less than 15 feet.  The forecast track’s margin of error, they say, even 12 hours before landfall, can be by 20 miles.  Storm surge warnings now extend tonight to Florida’s East Coast, for 3-5 feet of surge from Cape Canaveral north to the Georgia line.  “Almost every place on Florida’s West Coast could get major storm surge…probably the most serious threat to people’s lives and property,” said Governor DeSantis at an afternoon news conference.

Rainfall: The rainfall forecast has gotten worse, with widespread rainfall potential of 5-12” along Milton’s path (up from last night’s 5-10”) with some isolated areas now expected to receive up to 18” (up from 15”).  As a result, forecasters have issued a Level 4 Flood Alert (the highest level) for the Tampa, Orlando, and entire central Florida region.  The heaviest rains at this point are expected along and to the north of the I-4 corridor.  That includes portions of the St. Johns River and Black Creek in Clay County.  Many parts of Florida already have wet soil from Hurricane Helene and more recent rainstorms; Milton’s rains will make flooding happen more quickly and with more severity.  “This is looking like a catastrophic flood situation…going from the West coast to the East Coast,” said one NHC forecaster.

The flooding won’t end either with the storm.  NHC hydrologists now warn of river basins filling up from Tampa to Orlando and to the north up the St. Johns River.  “In the days to come after the system is gone, and we deal with the wind and the surge up front, we get the flooding on top of that, then you get a long period duration of riverine flooding still with this system after it leaves Florida,” of up to one week, said the hydrologist.

The National Weather Service’s experimental Flood Hazard Outlook (FHO) is shown below.  It provides a graphic display to alert inland areas to potential flash-flooding and river impacts over the period.

Tornados: As if that’s not enough, forecasters also warn of the possibility of tornados at or preceding the time of landfall – again forecasted as of now for Wednesday evening into the overnight hours of Thursday morning.   

However, as we’ve been reminded of from many storms in the past, the forecast – including the hurricane’s track – can change, as previously stated, even until the point of 20 miles before landfall.  An NHC forecaster warned that “there still could be some shifts, and we’re really not going to know whether it’s going to be north or south of Tampa Bay until just a few hours before.  The storm can wobble in the hours just before landfall that will make all the difference in the world,” especially on where the worst storm surge will occur.

Evacuation traffic along I-4 today leaving the Tampa area

Evacuations: Forecasters today warned emergency management officials and the public to finish all evacuations by tonight, as tomorrow’s weather will turn very windy by afternoon.  The roads leading out of the Tampa Bay area – Interstate 75 heading north and Interstate 4 heading east to Orlando and I—95 beyond – have been heavily congested with residents fleeing Milton.  So too, has been Interstate 75 to the south across Alligator Ally into Miami-Dade County, described as “jammed.”    

Evacuation orders are in place in tonight in 29 counties, including coastal counties along both the West and East Coasts of Florida.  Some coastal counties expanded their evacuations today, with Sarasota County calling for Zone C evacuations.  The state is assisting evacuating all healthcare facilities and will continue to do until it is no longer safe to do so – likely around noon tomorrow in the Tampa Bay area.  State DOT Secretary Jared Perdue warned that bridges and causeways will be closed when winds exceed 40 mph “and if you choose to cross a bridge or causeway that is closed, you are putting yourself and those with you in extreme danger,” he said.  Read more for a list of evacuation zones and a complete list of statewide evacuation orders.

An officer assists residents with filling sandbags in Hillsborough County in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Courtesy, Hillsborough Co. S.O.

Shelters: More counties in North Florida, out of the direct path of Milton, have volunteered to open shelters to take in evacuees from the Tampa Bay area and south along the West Coast.  These include Gilchrist and Levy counties and Sumpter and Lake counties.  In addition, the state has identified 14 locations – with six open so far – for state-run shelters to supplement what the impacted counties are offering.  These locations include the Wiregrass Sports Complex in Wesley Chapel, the Seminole Tribe Event Center in Tampa near I-4, City Furniture on I-4, the Lakeland Regional Airport in Polk County, and a few warehouses along the I-4 corridor.  These are meant as shelters of last resort for those who weren’t able to evacuate the area in time or where their local county shelter is full.

Hillsborough County reported about 2,000 people in its shelters as of this morning, Manatee County had 1,200 people in its shelters, and Sarasota County about 3,200 people.  “Please remember, evacuating doesn’t mean driving hundreds of miles.  It means just driving 10’s of miles to the closest friend, family or shelter nearest you,” said Guthrie.  Read more about the list and current status of shelters.

Other Preparations: Guthrie this afternoon said the state “has the resources it needs” to prepare and respond to Hurricane Milton, with emergency declarations continuing in 51 of Florida’s 67 counties.  He joined Governor DeSantis and DOT Secretary Jared Perdue at an afternoon news conference at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, one of several major logistical areas for both resources and personnel in the state’s response to Milton.

“So on this property, you got over 2,000 pieces of equipment, including a lot of pumps, a lot of generators, light plants, display boards, restroom trailers, laundry trailers, forklifts, air condition units, electrical equipment, water hoses, Bunk trailers and rollback trucks (with) 400 personnel here,” said the Governor.

Out of service gas pumps dotted Florida’s West Coast today as gas stations ran out of fuel due to heavy demand by motorists seeking to evacuate

Fuel: One of the biggest challenges on this last day of storm preparation is fuel availability at some gas stations along Florida’s West Coast.  Earlier today, Collier County (Naples) reported 90 stations that ran out of fuel.  Tampa reported 100 stations, about 40%, were empty, too.  Farther north along the evacuation route, most gas stations in Gilchrist County, near Gainesville also reported being out of gas earlier today from motorists fleeing the storm.  Guthrie said he is working to expedite deliveries of fuel to those stations and today announced he’s ordered another six million gallons of fuel in anticipation of storm-related problems at the Port of Tampa Bay, one of the major routes for fuel delivery to Florida.  The fuel is coming from out west and should arrive in two days he said.  The Governor meanwhile said that the state of Florida itself has 268,000 gallons of diesel and 110,000 gallons of gas, with more fuel still coming into the ports for the next few hours to relieve any shortages.

Debris: Beyond the fuel and shelter situations already discussed, Guthrie says his other major concern remains debris – not only the leftover from Hurricane Helene despite 24-7 efforts over the past three days to collect it, but also the expected debris from Hurricane Milton.  Guthrie said he’s preparing a letter to FEMA, asking for flexibility in rules to allow his team to offer guaranteed fixed reimbursement rates for debris haulers to incentivize haulers in the Central and Western parts of U.S. to come to Florida for perhaps 30- or 60-days and be paid beyond $7 or $9 per cubic yard.  One official said “we know that our debris removal companies in Florida don’t own a lot of equipment and that they depend on subcontractors and haulers.” 

Dump trucks filled with Hurricane Helene debris, like these in Bradenton, continued to make trips to landfills today

Guthrie’s idea is to let Florida operate as a resource to get out of state haulers and their equipment into the state and then assign them to work with Florida haulers.  Likewise, Guthrie said he’s also reaching out to other states’ departments of transportation to arrange Emergency Management Assistance Compacts (EMACS) to bring in extra help for debris removal activities.  He reemphasized what he and the Governor said on Monday, that the state is not going to take over the debris hauling, but simply help out and supplement and bring in the extra bodies and extra pieces of equipment to help Florida’s counties get the job done as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the Governor reiterated that the state and counties are working 24/7 to remove Helene debris to landfills.  Using the extra 300 dump trucks it acquired Monday, DeSantis this afternoon said the Department of Transportation has removed more than 1,300 truckloads of debris in a little over 48 hours, “a huge, huge amount.”

“We have an unprecedented effort underway,” said the Governor.  “I want to thank everyone that’s been involved.  It’s not easy, especially when you’ve just responded to a Category Four storm, Helene.  I know everybody’s tired, trust me, we get it…but what you’re doing is important.  Hang in there and let’s get the job done.”

A complete list of state preparedness efforts can be found at the end of this Update.

Boarding-up continued in Pinellas County in preparation for Hurricane Milton’s arrival

Insurance Impact: The last time a major hurricane made a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area was in October 1921 – more than 100 years ago.  While there are no official estimates tonight on potential insured losses or total losses due to the uncertainty of landfall, some experts estimate that it could range from $10 billion to $100 billion across Florida.

Elevations in Pinellas County (where St. Petersburg is located) range from 6.5 feet below mean sea level to 114 feet above it, with the average being 13 feet above mean sea level.  Across the bays in Hillsborough County (where Tampa is located) elevations are better, ranging from 6.5 feet below mean sea level to 295 feet above it, with the average being 65 feet above mean sea level.  The Tampa Bay region is considered the most flood vulnerable of all metropolitan areas in Florida, as chronicled in the Tampa Bay Times piece It won’t take the ‘perfect storm’ to wreak havoc across Tampa Bay from January 2022.  With many of its communities situated near or surrounded by water, the area has the potential to become an extremely large insurance claims event in the event of a direct hit by a hurricane.  In fact, the paper reports, Pinellas County has nearly $30 billion in built property that could flood in Category 1 storms – more buildings and risk value than even Miami-Dade County.

The Governor was asked yesterday by reporters about the impact Hurricane Milton, coming so soon after Hurricane Helene, could have on Florida’s recovering property insurance market.  “I think it’s too early to say,” said the Governor, noting how Helene was more of a flood event, with a much bigger impact on the National Flood Insurance Program than on Florida’s private homeowners insurance companies.  “Since I’ve been governor, you game plan different types of scenarios that are going to impact the state and a major hurricane into Tampa Bay, given how vulnerable it is to storm surge, how low lying it is, is one of the most significant events that we can respond to,” DeSantis said.

Florida’s largest property insurance company, the state-created and state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, has about 178,000 of its 1.25 million policyholders in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, with a total insured value of $78 billion.  Like many insurance companies, Citizens has sent emails and issued releases reminding policyholders to make sure that the company has up-to-date contact and mortgage information and offering helpful storm preparation tips.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH), has sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-215. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers.  More information can be found here.  OIR is expected to issue a property insurance data call immediately after Milton leaves the state.

Click here for the full National Hurricane Center briefing with maps.  Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for the very latest state disaster management information.  That includes a complete list of statewide evacuation orders and a list and current status of shelters.  You can also review our past Hurricane Updates and subscribe to receive future updates in your inbox.

For those reading this Hurricane Update who want to help those impacted by the storm, the Florida Disaster Fund remains activated from Hurricanes Debby and Helene.  The fund is a component of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Florida’s official 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports volunteerism, community service, and disaster recovery.  To donate, click here. 

Please know that we at Lisa Miller & Associates are here 24/7 for you.  It may sound trite but we are all in this together, my friends and colleagues.  Please prepare and be aware!

Lisa & the LMA team

(Here’s the latest news from the Governor’s Office on specific state preparedness actions and a list of mobilized resources:)

State Preparedness Efforts

• The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 since Tuesday, September 24, for Hurricane Helene, and is at a Level 1 for Hurricane Milton as of October 6, leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team. 
• The State Emergency Response Team is engaged in over 1,500 missions to assist counties in their preparedness efforts. These missions accomplish vital tasks like staging resources to deploy for immediate response as soon as it is safe to do so, protecting critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals and utility stations, and coordinating personnel statewide.
• FDEM has facilitated the distribution of the following items to counties across the state in preparation for Hurricane Milton.:
  • 726,200 liters of water
  • 581,000 MREs
  • 237,000 sandbags
  • Nearly 33,600 tarps kits
• FDEM is staging post-landfall responders in Jacksonville, Perry, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.
• FDEM is coordinating the deployment of fuel and EV chargers to pre-stage along evacuation routes to support evacuations.
• Today, October 8, free FDEM evacuation shuttles are operating in Pinellas, Pasco & Hillsborough counties helping residents reach shelters for Hurricane Milton. Shuttle locations and times are available at FloridaDisaster.org/Updates under the Evacuation Assistance tab.
• The State of Florida has partnered with Uber to provide residents in mandatory evacuation zones free rides to a local shelter. To get a ride, residents should: open the Uber app, tap Account on the bottom right and tap Wallet, and add promo code MILTONRELIEF. Additionally, residents can find open shelters in their area by visiting FloridaDisaster.org/shelter-status.
• The Florida National Guard (FLNG) has activated approximately 5,000 service members for Hurricane Milton preparedness operations.
• FLNG has 11 rotary wing aircraft prepared to provide search and response and damage assessment support post-storm.
• The Florida State Guard (FSG) has activated and mobilized nearly 200 soldiers in preparation of Hurricane Milton. FSG units answering the call for aid include Crisis Response Battalion (CRB), Aviation Response Squadron (AVS), Maritime Response Squadron (MRS), and Special Missions Unit (SMU).
• FSG units are positioning assets throughout the state to rapidly respond with search and rescue, route clearance, reconnaissance/damage assessments, and distribution of supplies to residents in impacted areas. A CRB team is onsite at the State Logistics Response Center (SLRC) providing operational support.
• Current FSG assets include:
  • 6 search and rescue teams with vessels
  • 2 UH- 60 Blackhawks
  • 10 maritime and flood response teams / 10 vessels
  • 3 highwater UTVs
  • 13 supply distribution UTVs
  • 4 UAS teams
  • 1 incident command vehicle
  • 2 skid steers
  • 2 diesel fuel trailers
  • 2 amphibious rescue vehicles
  • 15 cut and toss crews
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is directing the deployment of an additional 500 out-of-state law enforcement officers. These officers will respond after the storm to help maintain law and order. 
• FDLE’s mutual aid team is managing more than 70 active law enforcement missions including identifying post-storm response squads. These missions include:
  • Working with DEM to establish a large base camp for first responders in Hillsborough County and identifying additional locations for base camps.
    • FDLE agents are providing security at pre-storm staging areas and will do the same for additional base camps.
    • FDLE will coordinate and operate fuel locations for law enforcement at future base camps.
• Nearly 200 FDLE law enforcement analysts are on standby to help law enforcement officers with reunification efforts for Florida citizens who may lose contact during Hurricane Milton.
• The FDLE Sworn Training Unit cut team is ready to deploy. The team helps with debris removal and making temporary, emergency repairs to the homes of first responders so they can quickly get back to work after a storm.  
• FDLE law enforcement strike teams from Miami and Pensacola are at-the-ready to assist local law enforcement agencies following the storm including violent crime investigations, patrol services and security.  
  • All FDLE special agents are activated to deploy and patrol in impacted areas.  
• FDLE’s communications strike team is poised to support local law enforcement agencies ensuring 911, internet and radio communications work after the storm. 
  • FDLE maintains 250 law enforcement radios for local law enforcement agencies ensuring patrol officers have communications.  
• FDLE aviation assets are prepositioned to conduct overwatch missions for patrol officers.
• The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) is preparing its State Veterans’ Homes in the potential impact area for the arrival of Hurricane Milton. Residents and staff sheltering in place in hardened facilities with full generators.
• Outpatient appointments at VA Clinics in the projected path are being rescheduled or converted to virtual. See www.FloridaVets.org or follow FDVA on social media for closure details.
• State Veterans’ Service Officers are available to take your call at (727) 319-7440 or via email at [email protected].
• The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7/365 for virtual care and tele-emergency care to support Florida Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care. Call 1-877-741-3400.
• The state veteran nursing homes currently located in the cone are all accepting families of residents to shelter with them, as they are all built to withstand Category 5 hurricane winds and are outside of flood zones.
• The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has finalized storm preparations to ensure the safety and security of staff and youth in our care. This includes fueling all vehicles, moving vehicles in low-lying and flood-prone areas to higher ground, testing and ensuring adequate fuel supplies for generators in the event of loss of power, and ensuring food, medicine, and emergency supplies are stocked and ready.
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has deployed high-water vehicles and all other storm response resources statewide so they may be rapidly deployed to assist Floridians in need in the event of damage or flooding. Contingency plans based on forecasted landfall locations have been developed and remain flexible based on the storm’s projected path.
• In addition to local officers, approximately 90, FWC officers and personnel have deployed to identified staging area ready to respond with a variety of specialized equipment as necessary, such as:
  • 33 boats including airboats and shallow draft boats
  • ATVs/Side-by-sides
  • 84 high-water capable four-wheel drive vehicles
  • 17 high-water capable swamp buggies and UTVs
  • 3 SOG support trailers
  • 4 aerial surveillance drones
  • Self-sustainment equipment, including BERG container units, hygiene trailers, generators and mobile command posts
  • Fuel trucks
• FWC Special Operations Group (SOG) teams will serve as reconnaissance units for the state and report on damage after the storm has made landfall.
• FWC Aviation Section has been placed on standby and has readied all appropriate aircraft for potential deployment for aerial assistance, reconnaissance, and post-storm damage assessments when needed.
• FWC is urging boat owners to secure their vessels now. Remove your vessel from the water, if that is not possible use all necessary means to secure it
• FWC officers in storm-impacted areas will stage just outside of the storm path and will begin post-storm rescue and recovery efforts once it is safe to do so. They include drone, debris clearing, and strike teams embedded with local law enforcement.
• FWC Captive Wildlife Investigators are contacting captive wildlife facilities in the projected path to assist as needed. 

Health and Human Services

• The Florida Department of Health (DOH) deployed nearly 600 emergency response vehicles (e.g., ambulances, ambulance buses, paratransit vehicles) to support emergency evacuations and patient transport as needed. Staging is currently in Columbia, Osceola, and Pinellas counties.
• DOH is supporting fifteen (15) special needs shelters, which are accepting clients, located in the following counties: Hernando (1), Hillsborough (3), Lee (1), Manatee (1), Pasco (2), Pinellas (4), Polk (3). Additional special needs shelters are on standby as the storm approaches.
• DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-215. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains and health care providers. 
• The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-003, which: 
  • Waives competitive procurement requirements in order to procure commodities, goods, and services expeditiously in response to the emergency. 
  • Permits emergency medical transportation services licensed in other U.S. states, territories, and/or districts to operate in Florida in response to the emergency.
  • Permits paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and their medical directors licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or districts to practice in Florida in response to the emergency without penalty.
  • Permits pharmacies and prescription department managers to operate in multiple or mobile locations. 
• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has initiated an event in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS). Healthcare providers have been requested to provide information on census, available beds, evacuation status, accepting evacuees and generator needs from counties declared under EO-24-114. This information allows AHCA to assist healthcare providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that healthcare providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
• AHCA has made nearly 700 provider calls for Hurricane Milton preparation ahead of landfall.
  • 313 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This includes:
  • 14 adult family care home
  • 179 assisted living facilities
  • 3 crisis stabilization and short term RFT
  • 7 hospices
  • 17 hospitals
  • 5 hospitals ED
  • 7 intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled
  • 63 nursing homes
  • 3 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
  • 13 residential treatment facilities
  • 5 Transitional living
• AHCA is conducting daily calls with the Florida Hospital Association and Florida Healthcare Association to ensure nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals are prepared and have their needs met ahead of Hurricane Milton.
• The Agency has waived all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services beginning October 7, 2024, until further notice.
• 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
• The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is working with Florida’s ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available, and with Florida’s agricultural partners so producers have adequate resources.
• A total of 11 generators have been requested and deployed to commercial agricultural facilities to prevent disruption to food and agricultural critical infrastructure.
• The Florida Forest Service is staging equipment, like high-water vehicles, dump trucks, bulldozers, and front-end loaders to assist with road clearing.
• The Florida Forest Service and the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement are supporting the Florida Department of Transportation and Pinellas County with debris removal with ten dump trucks, two front-end loaders, skid steers, and over 20 personnel.
• Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency order temporarily suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals and livestock fleeing Hurricane Milton. In addition, the following states have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets, horses and livestock leaving the state: Alabama, Georgia (does not include livestock), Mississippi, and North Carolina. 
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson has issued an emergency order suspending requirements related to the distribution, delivery, storage, and sale of liquid fuels — such as gasoline and diesel — to assist with efforts to ensure adequate distribution and supply of fuel. 
• The Department is working to connect evacuating horse owners with open public and private facilities across the state.
• The Florida State Fairgrounds has opened the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center on a first come first serve basis for horse owners that are in the direct path of Hurricane Milton. To learn more and reserve a spot, visit floridastatefair.com/equestrian.
• The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is contacting all our Area Agencies on Aging partners to receive updates on their ongoing preparation efforts and gather the status of any unmet needs.
• The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) continues response and pre-landfall protocols and communication with APD-operated facilities, regions, and providers within the counties under declared state of emergency to provide updates on Hurricane Milton, evacuation orders, office closures, anticipation of unmet needs, and verifying client status.
• The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is preparing for Hurricane Milton and ensuring providers in potentially impacted areas have the resources they need for the storm.
• The Department has secured supplies to ensure readiness in the event the Hope Bus is needed for deployment after landfall.
• DCF is providing information about Hope Florida to evacuation shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other critical partners in advance of the storm.
• DCF is supporting Floridians who need to evacuate by deploying 20 buses to transport Floridians to shelters, staffing and managing 35 shelters, providing 115 nurses to shelters, and delivering over 40 truckloads of food, water, cots, and blankets to shelters.
• DCF has six mobile kitchens and one fixed kitchen ready to deploy after the storm passes.

Infrastructure, Roads and State Closures

• The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Hurricane Milton statewide preparedness efforts include clearing shoulders in preparation for potential Emergency Should Use (ESU):
  • Reviewed flooding vulnerabilities for major roadways and bridges.
  • Inspected and cleared drainage systems, monitoring flood-prone and currently saturated areas, and pre-positioned pumps as appropriate.
  • Tolls have been suspended on facilities in West Florida and Central Florida as well as Alligator Alley and 595 Express to help facilitate traffic flow as Floridians evacuate. Specific details and facilities can be found listed here.
  • FDOT and Florida Highway Patrol have implemented Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) on eastbound I-4 from Tampa to S.R. 417 in Central Florida and on Northbound I-75 in Tampa from North of I-4 to south of I-10 in Columbia County. This operation allows motorists to use the left shoulder as an extra lane in designated areas as well as keeps travel available in both directions – helping to get people out and get supplies and resources in.
  • Work has been suspended and project sites secured on construction projects in the counties listed below to ensure all lanes are accessible for evacuations:
    • Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Suwannee, Sumter, Taylor, Union, Volusia
  • Secured high mast lighting, maintenance yards, active construction projects, rest areas/welcome centers, service plazas, and weigh stations that had returned to normal since Hurricane Helene.
  • Barges at the Howard Frankland Bridge project have been secured.
  • Barges at the Sanibel Causeway project have been secured.
  • Replenished fuel reserves, checking generator readiness, and pre-positioned assets as appropriate.
  • Completed repairs on malfunctioning vehicles and equipment in preparation for deployment.
  • In close communication with modal partners – seaports, airports, railroads, transit, and spaceports.
  • Staged ITS trailers, as well as drone teams and equipment are prepped and ready to deploy as needed.
  • Expanded Road Ranger Service across the impact zones.
• Resources prepped and staged strategically (close to the projected path for quick implementation)
• Cut & Toss Ops = 360 team members on standby
  • Over 1,015 generators
  • Over 350 pieces of heavy equipment and trucks
  • 67 pumps pre-positioned
  • Satellite internet equipment= 59 Starlink devices
  • Over 1,900 team members on standby for various emergency response efforts, including, damage assessment, flooding, traffic signals outages, etc.
  • FDOT has 21 drone pilots on standby
  • 8 ITS trailers staged
  • Over 150 bridge inspectors on standby
• FDOT has removed 237,448 cubic yards of debris statewide resulting from Hurricane Helene.
• FDOT is supporting our local communities with supplemental sand and debris removal from local roads on the barrier islands in Pinellas and Manatee counties.
• At the direction of Gov. DeSantis, FDOT is coordinating debris removal assignments for the Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Agriculture, amongst others, who have activated available state personnel and resources to clear and haul remaining debris.
  • 1,321 truckloads and nearly 23,778 cubic yards of debris have been removed from Pinellas County barrier islands.
  • 58 truckloads and over 1,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed from Manatee County barrier islands state roads.
• FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated. Remember to always follow the direction of local law enforcement and emergency personnel.
• Transportation Modes: Seaports, Airports, Rail, and Transit Agencies are preparing for storm conditions.
• Seaports
  • `a Bay; Port St. Pete; SeaPort ManateeThe following seaports are operating waterside with restrictions to inbound vessels: Port of Fort Pierce; Port of Palm Beach; Port Everglades; PortMiami; JAXPORT; Port Canaveral
• Airports 
  • The following airports announced suspended flight operations beginning Tuesday, October 8: Tampa International Airport; Punta Gorda Airport; Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport; St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport; Orlando Sanford International AirportThe following airport announced suspended or modified flight operations beginning Wednesday, October 9: Orlando International Airport; Southwest Florida International Airport; Melbourne Orlando International Airport; Lakeland Linder International Airport
  • Check directly with your airline regarding delays and cancellations.
• Railroads
  • The following passenger rail lines announced suspended or modified service beginning Tuesday, October 8: SunRail; AmtrakBrightline trains will only be operating between Miami and West Palm Beach beginning Wednesday, October 9 through Thursday, October 10. No service will be available between West Palm Beach and Orlando.
  • Check directly with your rail provider for scheduling information.
• Transit
  • The following transit agencies announced suspended or modified service beginning Tuesday, October 8: HART (Hillsborough); TECO Line Streetcar; Citrus Connection (Lakeland Area); Sarasota County; Charlotte County Transit; Pinellas PSTA; GoPasco paratransit; LeeTran; St. Johns River Ferry; Collier Area Transit Paratransit; Manatee County Area Transit Paratransit; Lynx (Orlando) Paratransit; Hernando County (The Bus)
  • The following transit agencies announced suspended or modified service for Wednesday, October 9: Jacksonville Skyway; St. Johns River Ferry; St. Johns County Transit; GoPasco; Sarasota County; Charlotte County Transit; Pinellas PSTA; Key West Transit
  • Check directly with your transit provider for scheduling information.
• Spaceport
  • Spaceport partners are making the necessary preparations in anticipation of storm impacts. No remaining Florida scheduled launches during Hurricane Milton.
• Following the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an Emergency Final Order allowing for the activation of disaster debris management sites to store and process storm generated solid waste and debris.
• DEP’s Emergency Final Order also removes barriers for expediting necessary repair, replacement and restoration of structures, including coastal structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works and other systems that may be damaged by the storm.
• For counties and local governments in need of additional debris disposal locations, especially ahead of Hurricane Milton, DEP has approved all pending Disaster Debris Management Sites (DDMS) site activation requests and stands ready to approve the activation of any additional pre-authorized or new DDMSs that may be needed.
  • Currently, 207 DDMS have been authorized to operate for Hurricane Helene and an additional 57 for Hurricane Milton.
• Hurricane Helene kicked up significant amounts of sediment and sand along the coastlines in and along its path. DEP is working with local governments to manage the excess sand and continue removal efforts.
  • For sand that has accumulated on private properties, residents should return it to the beach if it appears clean, smells fresh and is free of debris. If the sand contains debris, residents should contact their local government to find the nearest disposal site. DEP has worked with counties to establish temporary staging areas to properly screen the sand before it is returned to the beach. There are currently 20 DDMSs managing sand in Pinellas and Manatee counties.
• DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association and other response agencies to ensure preparations are underway to support drinking and wastewater facilities ahead of Hurricane Milton.
• All significant hazardous waste facilities, both phosphate and non-phosphate mines, and all drinking water and wastewater facilities in potentially affected counties have been notified to ensure all pre-storm preparations are being made. 
• Florida’s water management districts are engaging local governments and drainage operators throughout the state to proactively move water into water management district-canal and lake systems to lower water levels in advance of the storm. In addition, they have more than 20 temporary pumps on stand-by to alleviate any potential localized flooding. As part of standard operations, DEP and Florida’s water management districts continue to monitor water systems and river levels as the storm develops.
• The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding. The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) is now considered activated, and the empty reservoir will begin to fill with floodwaters. This action stops all or part of the flow of the Hillsborough River before it reaches the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa and stores it in the HFDA. The stored water can then be safely moved down to McKay Bay using the Tampa Bypass Canal.
• DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
• The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has staged high-water rescue vehicles in preparation for landfall of Hurricane Milton. 
• FHP is conducting proactive patrol of evacuated communities to suppress criminal activity.
• FHP has facilitated 43 total fuel escorts and climbing, totaling approximately 387,000 gallons.
• FHP is assisting with aviation patrol of evacuation routes to identify and service disabled vehicles.
• FHP is supporting Department of Juvenile Justice by evacuating juveniles in secure residence facilities.
• FHP assisted in the evacuation of Cedar Key.
• FHP is assisting Department of Defense in relocating military families.
• FHP is clearing shoulder lanes on evacuation routes.
• FHP has increased presence at fuel stations on evacuation routes.
• FHP is providing law enforcement services to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene (Keaton Beach, Steinhatchee, Dekle Beach)
• FHP is mobilizing 74 Quick Response Force (QRF) Troopers to stage in preparation for the incoming storm.
• FHP is mobilizing 7 drone teams to staging areas in preparation for search and rescue operations and damage assessments post-landfall.
• FHP continues to provide assistance with ingress and egress into debris disposal sites in Pinellas County.
• FHP is providing UAV overwatch over debris disposal sites
• FHP is providing security at the Pinellas County Landfill and assisting with traffic entering and exiting.
• All FHP Troops statewide will be going to Alpha/Bravo shifts effective today. All days off have been canceled.
• FHP will be assisting with debris cleanup in the Tampa area.
• FHP worked with its partners at FDOT to prepare and implement the Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) plan for evacuations on Interstate 4 in the Tampa area and on Interstate 75 North up to Interstate 10.
• FHP Troopers are actively monitoring traffic along the ESU routes to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow.
• FHP is assisting with traffic control outside Tropicana Field for debris cleanup crews.
• FHP’s fleet of 6 skid steers are staging in preparation to deploy to affected areas to clear debris, open roadways, and restore order.
• FHP Troopers are still actively patrolling areas damaged by Hurricane Helene to ensure there are no problems with looting.
• FHP is providing security at multiple fuel sites across the state.
• 25 FHP Troopers escorted fuel trucks from Port Tamp and Port Manatee to fueling stations around the Tampa area throughout the night. Additional Troopers will continue these escorts around the clock as long as it is safe to do so until landfall.
• FHP air support is staged and prepared to deploy when needed.
• FHP drone units are deployed assisting ground crews with debris cleanup in Pinellas County.
• The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is actively preparing mitigation measures by deploying evacuation assets, and has successfully evacuated over 2,500 inmates. Updates will be made available to the public at www.fdc.myflorida.com/weather-updates.
• The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is actively monitoring Hurricane Milton and is working with school districts as they finalize preparation efforts. The Department is also in close contact with districts outside of the predicted cone that will be serving as storm shelters for those evacuating. Updates on school closures can be found at FLDOE.org/storminfo.

Resources for Employees, Businesses and Consumers

• The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is staging assets and personnel across 13 offices statewide and is prepared to surge resources to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene that receive a second impact from Hurricane Milton.
• Yesterday, DBPR announced that the State of Florida is working with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to Waive Pet Policies for Hurricane Milton Evacuees. Lodging operators who have waived pet policies and fees are encouraged to complete DBPR’s Lodging Pet Fee Waiver Information Sheet. For a list of hotels that have waived pet policies and fees, visit myfloridalicense.com/emergency.
• FloridaCommerce is communicating and coordinating with more than 200 private sector partners across the state, encouraging them to review their emergency plans for their businesses and prepare their employees in advance of Hurricane Milton.
• Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz.
• FloridaCommerce is working with private sector banking partners to ensure that evacuees have access to banks and are able to withdraw cash.
• POSTPONED: Due to Hurricane Milton, FloridaCommerce has postponed the One-Stop Business Resource Sites that were expected to open in Citrus, Dixie, Levy, Manatee and Pasco counties.
• The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) is coordinating with regional offices to prepare staff and clients ahead of the storm.
• FloridaCommerce and CareerSource Florida continue to host pre-storm briefings with the 21 Local Workforce Development Boards and 38 Community Action Agencies across the state to assist employees and employers after the weather event.
• CareerSource Florida Career Center closures can be found on FloridaDisaster.biz.
• Scenic Stays Vacation Rentals in Northwest Florida has a 35% discount with promotion code MILTON. Go to myscenicstays.com or call 850-407-2244 to book. 
• Wawa stores in Florida are providing free coffee and fountain beverages to all first responders, including National Guard in Florida in appreciation for all they are doing to support and serve our communities during hurricane response and recovery efforts.
• FloridaCommerce is working with VISIT FLORIDA, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and other private sector partners to secure lodging for evacuees and first responders in response to Hurricane Milton.
• VISIT FLORIDA Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia and Priceline are available to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors. 
• Rosen Hotels & Resorts activated its Florida Resident Distress Rates for those in the 51 counties declared as under a state of emergency by Governor Ron DeSantis.
• Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has extended special offers for Evacuees and First  Responders in need of accommodations in the event of an evacuation. Please see the linked pages below for more information. 
  • EVACUEES Good for stays through October 31. Book by October 29
  • FIRST RESPONDERS Good for stays through December 31. Book by December 29.
• FloridaCommerce activated the Private Sector Hotline at (850) 815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to [email protected].
• FloridaCommerce is hosting daily private sector coordination calls. Briefings will be provided by Emergency Support Functions and private sector partners. For call information email [email protected].
• The state of Florida has worked with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Florida’s hotel industry to waive or relax any no-pet policies so that Hurricane Milton evacuees can safely bring their pets with them to hotels throughout the state. 
• FloridaCommerce has worked with Walmart to successfully identify and secure sites for debris disposal and additional shelters for evacuees.
• Space Florida is securing facilities along the Space Coast in preparation for Hurricane Milton’s arrival.
• FloridaCommerce has worked with Citrus Springs Industrial Holdings to secure water supplies, facilities for sheltering evacuees and land use for fuel truck staging, debris removal and first responder base camps.
• FloridaCommerce has worked with City Furniture to secure first responder lodging in their warehouse facilities.
• Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz.
• Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) has disaster relief resources and information for Floridians in need of housing option and other housing related support. For more information click here. FHFC has also activated FloridaHousingSearch.org to assist hurricane-impacted Floridians in locating an affordable rental property. This free, statewide search platform is being constantly updated to ensure all listings are accurate. Floridians can also call 1-877-428-8844 for assistance.
• FloridaCommerce is working with FloridaMakes to utilize partner warehouse space for shelters and first responder lodging.
• FloridaCommerce is working with Jet Blue Stadium and Lee County officials to utilize parking lots for fuel truck staging.
• FloridaCommerce is working with Wawa to provide space for evacuees to charge electric vehicles.
• Lowes is working is providing lumber and boarding supplies for distribution to hurricane-impacted communities.
• Comcast has opened more than 261,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in areas it serves across the state. The free and public hotspots are open for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers. For more information visit Finder.wifi.xfinity.com.
• Tesla has available charging stations for those evacuating with electric vehicles available at Tesla.com/findus. The live status and availability of superchargers can also be found in the Tesla app.  
• FloridaCommerce has worked with TECO to secure additional staging areas for first responders, debris removal and fuel.
• The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) offers online resources to Floridians who may need help finding information about their financial services provider(s), including state-chartered banks and credit unions, mortgage servicers, and other financial businesses and professionals.  
• OIR, in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH), sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-215. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers. Information can be found here. 
• The Department of Revenue (DOR) has the following update:

Florida law allows exporters, petroleum carriers, and importers to request a temporary license during a disaster or declared state of emergency. Applicants are not required to submit a fee, secure bonding, or undergo a background check if they apply for and receive a temporary license. Visit the Florida Fuel Tax webpage for more information on Florida’s temporary licensing program: www.floridarevenue.com/taxes/fuel..

Hurricane Milton Update of October 8, 2024 PM Update

October 8, 2024