SARASOTA — Emergency response officials warned residents to find shelter and prepare to bunker down as Hurricane Milton bore down on Southwest Florida.
Once the storm and its remnants pass, there will still be risks that people should be wary of — persistent floods, debris, downed power lines and ruined roads are among the threats.
In Sarasota County, special tactical teams will assess areas throughout the county once conditions allow them to travel without risk.
Areas will then be graded based on ease of travel: red (no travel), yellow (proceed with caution), or green (clear to return).
Anyone who sheltered in place and could find travel difficult due to risky road conditions or flooding.
Sarasota County Media Relations Officer Sara Nealeigh said the county’s Emergency Management department would relay that information to residents via social media and news releases.
“We need people to stay as safe as possible,” she said.
Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins and Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi stressed that storm force winds will keep emergency services off the road until winds fall below 40-45 miles per hour — meaning residents will need to rely on their own supplies and safety measures for hours or even days.
They also warned residents sheltering in place to avoid going outside in the hours after the storm.
Milton is a far-ranging storm, meaning winds will temporarily die down before quickly picking back up to life-threatening levels, possibly into Thursday afternoon.
“Please wait for the winds to pass,” Tapfumaneyi said.
Florida officials warned residents not to go out to look at damage directly after the storm.
“Don’t be disaster tourists,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said at anews conference. “The last thing we need to be doing is responding to a call that could have been avoidable”
Local governments may also enact curfews, like Charlotte County did Wednesday. Charlotte’s curfew is 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and is for everyone except essential workers. The curfew also forbids alcohol sales during those hours.
Residents with access to internet can still find tips and updates at scgov.net during the storm; calls to 311 will also still be received for information.
Calls to 911 for emergency services will be taken and triaged for response once conditions allow first responders to safely travel.
Tips for after hurricane safety from the federal government’s Ready.gov include the following:
Avoid flood water no matter how shallow: “Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.”For disaster clean-up, wear protective clothing or face masks for mold risk, stagnant water, pollution; children or people with respiratory conditions should not take part in post-storm clean up with those riksTurn off breakers if it can be done safely; do not touch if wet or you are standing in waterFlood waters can conceal downed power lines; if you can see power lines, avoid them as wellSave phone calls for emergencies, given the stress on potentially damaged systems; use text messages or social media to reach friends and familyDocument damage to homes with photos and contact your insurance as soon as possible
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