hawkplay Fears of Hurricane Milton Drive Millions From Their Homes in Florida
The threat of Hurricane Milton to Florida’s densely populated Tampa Bay region led to one of the largest evacuations in the state’s history this week. Officials urged millions of people out of possible harm’s way.hawkplay
The evacuations started on Monday, slowing highways to a crawl, and grew in number on Tuesday, with officials warning there was no time to lose. Milton is expected to strike the vulnerable Tampa region, with its shallow bay and hundreds of miles of heavily developed coastline, late Wednesday or early Thursday. The area hasn’t had a direct hit from a hurricane in more than a century.
Some 5.5 million people live in the Tampa area and others, like Sarasota and Fort Myers, that were under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders as of Tuesday morning, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. And more orders were issued by local and state officials throughout the day, expanding the evacuation zone.
To try to keep major evacuation routes from clogging, officials urged residents to go to nearby shelters and not travel farther inland than necessary. Still, roads saw 150 percent of normal traffic on Monday, according to state officials.
“It took three hours to drive 37 miles,” said Connie Leasure, who left her home in Largo, Fla., north of St. Petersburg, at 3 p.m. on Monday, heading to Pennsylvania. “If you got off the highway, you couldn’t get back on.”
Tolls were waived and highway shoulders were opened to try to keep cars moving, but traffic still slowed to 20 miles per hour in some spots. It eventually cleared by 1 a.m. on Tuesday, state officials said, though more jammed highways were expected later in the day as evacuation orders grew.
Evacuation orders by county Charlotte County, Fla. More info Zone map Evacuation orders are in effect for people living in zones A and B, as well as those in mobile and manufactured homes, according to county emergency management officials. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:19 p.m. Eastern Citrus County, Fla. https://www.sheriffcitrus.org/public_info/disaster_information.php" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info Level map A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for people living in campers, tents, mobile homes, manufactured homes or structures unable to withstand winds of 110 miles per hour, as well as for people in zone A. Mandatory evacuations began on Monday for all skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in zone A. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:20 p.m. Eastern Clay County, Fla. https://www.claycountygov.com/community/emergency-management/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info https://www.claycountygov.com/home/showpublisheddocument/4050/638578469101300000" aria-label="Link to information on evacuation zones" class="evac-table_zone-link">Zone map No mandatory evacuation order has been issued, "but if you live in low-lying areas, flood prone areas, and along Black Creek or the St. Johns River, we strongly encourage you to relocate," read a message on the county emergency management website. People who live in an RV, mobile home, older home or boat were also encouraged to relocate. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:24 p.m. Eastern Collier County, Fla. More info Zone map A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for zones A and B, according to county officials. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:24 p.m. Eastern DeSoto County, Fla. https://www.facebook.com/DeSotoEM/posts/pfbid02FBu9HK2r1Ta2Jx5hn5ySMU8yAhjbAEUcjhjwqkLxv4UH5cQN8xF6dWA16tTGUp1dl" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A mandatory evacuation is in effect for people in zones A and B, including for those in mobile and manufactured homes, as well as people in low-lying or flood-prone areas, according to a Monday post on the county's emergency management page. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:27 p.m. Eastern Dixie County, Fla. https://www.facebook.com/DixieFireRescue/posts/pfbid0VRRKNVyQzGikYx3TLjitbM9HbbM6bsoc5j8oHretycBhfRApLDBgMG5UsrR1naaMl" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A voluntary evacuation is in effect for people in all coastal communities, as well as those in mobile and manufactured homes or RVs, according to a Facebook post from the county's fire rescue service. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Duval County, Fla. https://www.jaxready.com/Milton#accordion" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info No evacuations are currently ordered in the county, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said on Tuesday. However, she asked people who live in "a trailer, an older home, a low-lying area or under a heavy tree canopy" to consider evacuating to a shelter or other safer location, "even if it's just a few miles away." As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Flagler County, Fla. https://www.flaglercounty.gov/departments/emergency-management/storm" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info https://fcmaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=216c5a76d1504605a3109cec7e059784&" aria-label="Link to information on evacuation zones" class="evac-table_zone-link">Zone Map No evacuations are currently in effect, though people living in mobile homes, coastal communities and other areas detailed on the county website are urged to prepare for possible evacuations. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:33 p.m. Eastern Gilchrist County, Fla. https://gilchristemergency.com/storm-updates/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A voluntary evacuation is in effect for people in RVs, mobile homes or low-lying areas, according to a press release on the county website. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:34 p.m. Eastern Glades County, Fla. https://www.myglades.com/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A voluntary evacuation is in effect for all people in mobile homes, RV parks and low-lying areas, according to the county website. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:35 p.m. Eastern Hardee County, Fla. https://www.hardeecountyfl.gov/departments-services/public-safety/emergency-management/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info The Board of Commissioners recommended that people living in low-lying areas, mobile homes, RVs and unsafe structures "begin evacuation as soon as possible" in a post on the county's emergency management page on Monday. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:37 p.m. Eastern Hernando County, Fla. More info Zone map A mandatory evacuation for all areas west of U.S. 19, including evacuation zones A, B and C, is in effect, according to the county website. People living in coastal and low-lying areas countywide, as well as those in manufactured homes, were included. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:37 p.m. Eastern Highlands County, Fla. https://www.highlandsfl.gov/departments/PublicSafety/stormupdates.php" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A voluntary evacuation will take effect at 8 a.m. on Wednesday for people living in mobile home parks, RV parks or low-lying areas, according to the county website. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:38 p.m. Eastern Hillsborough County, Fla. More info A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for people zones A and B, as well as all people in mobile and manufactured homes. Residents should in a safe place no later than 7 a.m. on Wednesday, county officials said. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:41 p.m. Eastern Lake County, Fla. https://c.lakecountyfl.gov/storm/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A voluntary evacuation is in effect for people living in manufactured homes, RVs, mobile homes or in low-lying or flood-prone areas, according to the county's lead public information officer. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:42 p.m. Eastern Lee County, Fla. More info Zone map Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for people in zones A and B, as well as all people who live in mobile or manufactured homes, according to the county website. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:42 p.m. Eastern Levy County, Fla. https://levydisaster.com" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all people in mobile homes, manufactured homes, RV parks, coastal communities, and low-lying areas, including all areas west of U.S.19, according to the county website. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:43 p.m. Eastern Manatee County, Fla. mymanatee.org/storm" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info Level map Evacuations are ordered for people in levels A, B, C, as well as for all people in mobile homes, manufactured homes and recreational vehicles, according to the county's information center. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:43 p.m. Eastern Marion County, Fla. https://www.marionfl.org/our-county/emergency-communications" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all people living in mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and "modular-type homes," according to a post on the Facebook page for the sheriff's office. "Additonally, any residents who feel unsafe in their homes are encouraged to evacuate," the post read. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:45 p.m. Eastern Miami-Dade County, Fla. https://www.miamidade.gov/global/emergency/activation/home.page" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info Zone map A voluntary evacuation for people in mobile home parks and those in "medically vulnerable communities" is in effect, according to the county website. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:45 p.m. Eastern Nassau County, Fla. https://www.onenassau.com/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info https://www.onenassau.com/know-your-zone" aria-label="Link to information on evacuation zones" class="evac-table_zone-link">Zone map In a Facebook post, the county said it was "strongly encouraging" people living in zones A or D, or in beachfront, intracoastal, marshfront, low-lying or flood-prone areas, to evacuate. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:46 p.m. Eastern Okeechobee County, Fla. More info A voluntary evacuation is in effect for all people in low-lying areas and mobile homes, county officials said. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:47 p.m. Eastern Pasco County, Fla. https://www.pascocountyfl.net/_T18_R291.php" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info Zone map A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for people in zones A, B and C; those living in manufactured homes, mobile homes or recreational vehicles; those in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding; residents of structures that have experienced flooding during heavy rainfall before; and people in areas ordered evacuated by local authorities due to life-safety hazards. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:49 p.m. Eastern Pinellas County, Fla. More info Zone map A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for people in zones A, B and C; those in mobile homes countywide; and people with specialized medical needs, according to the county website. "Mandatory evacuation orders are also in effect for long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals, and special needs residents in evacuation zones A, B and C," according page on the website, which adds the county is "recommending that special needs residents in evacuation zones D and E." As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:50 p.m. Eastern Putnam County, Fla. https://main.putnam-fl.com/?page_id=5852" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info https://main.putnam-fl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Letter-Evac-Routes-and-Shelters.pdf" aria-label="Link to information on evacuation zones" class="evac-table_zone-link">Zone map Evacuations are recommended in zones F and A, according to a post on the county's website. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:52 p.m. Eastern Sarasota County, Fla. More info Level map Evacuations are ordered for anyone in levels A, B or C, and all people in manufactured homes, mobile homes and boat homes. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:53 p.m. Eastern St. Johns County, Fla. https://www.sjcfl.us/mandatory-evacuation-order-sjc-residents-hurricane-milton/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info Zone map A mandatory evacuation order will take effect for all people in zones A, B and F (in this zone, only those in the area south of State Road 206) at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the county website. All people on waterfront properties, in low-lying or flood-prone areas, or in boats, RVs or mobile homes are also required to evacuate. A mandatory evacuation order is also in place for all healthcare facilities in zone A, B and F (in this zone, only in the area south of State Road 206). As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:54 p.m. Eastern Sumter County, Fla. https://www.facebook.com/sumtercountyfl" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info The county advises that the following people evacuate, according to the county website: Those living in mobile homes, manufactured homes, modular homes, recreational vehicles or structures that may not withstand high winds consider evacuation; those in low-lying, flood-prone areas near the river; "individuals with special needs"; or anyone who feels unsafe staying alone. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:57 p.m. Eastern Union County, Fla. https://www.facebook.com/unionsheriff" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info The sheriff's office recommends the voluntary evacuation of all people living in mobile homes, recreational vehicles and campers, as well as all people in low-lying areas in a post on its Facebook page. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:58 p.m. Eastern Volusia County, Fla. https://www.volusia.org/hurricanes/" aria-label="Link to more information" class="evac-table_more-info-link">More info An evacuation order will take effect on Wednesday at 8 a.m. for all of zone A, which includes areas further detailed on the county website. Countywide, people in mobile and manufactured homes, those in low-lying and flood-prone areas countywide and all campsites and RV parks would also be under mandatory evacuation. As of Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:58 p.m. Eastern Show all Sources: County websites and press conferences by county officials. By Camille Baker, Madison Dong, John Keefe and Bea MalskyWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.
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