Pinellas residents recovering from Helene brace for Milton

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Pinellas County residents who are still recovering from Helene are now bracing for Hurricane Milton.

Officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for all residents in evacuation zones A, B and C and all mobile home residents countywide.

However, some are worried if their home will be destroyed by the time they return.

“I have no home now to live in,” Jody Powell said. “Now with this coming, I may not even have a building left on the on the property.”

Crews are still in the process of removing high piles of debris from Gulf Boulevard.

However, the loose items will pose a dangerous threat amid hurricane force winds and storm surge.

“It’s scary and frightening,” Mary Lu DeRose said. “Our first one was Helene, and this one is our second, so we’re a little scared.”

The remnants from Helene have left a lasting impression on locals.

“That’s the most surge I’ve seen, and I’ve been here forty years,” Rebecca Palmer said.

The Pinellas County Sheriff has announced that the barrier islands will be closed to all travel except for evacuations and debris pickup at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

There are six emergency shelters available, including shelters for people with special needs and pets.

• Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo (general population & pet friendly)
• Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S. St. Petersburg (general population & pet friendly)
• Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor (general population & pet friendly)
• Palm Harbor University High School Bldg. 19 (special needs only)
• Dunedin Middle School, 70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin (special needs only)
• Oak Grove Middle School, 1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater (special needs only)

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