Hurricane Milton is anticipated to intensify and remain an extremely dangerous storm when it approaches the west coast of Florida on October 9, 2024. Authorities have pointed out evacuation zones and provided essential life-saving measures for households in areas expected to be impacted by Hurricane Milton.
By staying informed, these households can protect themselves from damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surges, which can generate destructive waves. The deadly hurricane-force winds are expected to extend inland. Additionally, heavy rainfall is expected to affect parts of Florida ahead of Milton. This rainfall poses a risk of lethal flash floods, urban flooding, and aerial flooding, along with moderate to severe river flooding.
Therefore, residents in the warning areas should pay note to the evacuation zones and life-saving measures covered here to help them safeguard their lives and property.The government advises individuals to understand their hurricane risk. This includes the potential for heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, and tornadoes that can occur well inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall. They have recommended that everyone in a household is familiar with the hurricane plans they’ve made. This may include catering for those at work, children’s daycare, and other frequently visited locations such as grocery stores.
Additionally, the government suggests that households should stock adequate supplies. Some recommended items are medications, disinfectants, and pet supplies that are carried in the go-bag or car trunk. Access to these supplies may be limited for days or even weeks after a hurricane. Households also need to clear drains and gutters, secure outdoor furniture, and consider installing hurricane shutters. It is highly valuable to charge a cell phone and invest in backup charging devices for electronics when a hurricane is forecasted.
In this step, it’s crucial for households to know if they live in an evacuation zone, listed at the end of this article, as they may need to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. They should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes. They can also practice evacuating with their household and pets, and determine where they will stay. Households should follow the guidance of local emergency managers, who collaborate with state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies. They will provide up-to-date recommendations based on the specific threats to your community and the necessary safety measures.
