Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody didn’t mince her words when she urged people to get out of the path of what they say is a once-in-a-century storm.
Her message to those who choose not to comply with the evacuation order?
“You should probably write your name in permanent marker on your arm so people know who you are when they find you next,” NPR reported.
Three million people have been ordered to evacuate Florida’s west coast as the hurricane and 140 mph (230 km/h) winds bear down.
Milton weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane Tuesday, but it remained a fierce storm that could directly hit the populous Tampa Bay area, forecasters warned. However he still went to level 5!
It is expected to bring towering storm surge and turn debris from Hurricane Helene’s destruction 12 days ago into projectiles.
Three million people have been ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Milton with 230km/h winds approaches.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also predicted a grim outcome if people chose to stay behind, saying they would “die.”
“You don’t have to get on the interstate and go far,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a Tuesday morning briefing, assuring residents there will be enough gas to fuel their cars for the trip.
“You can evacuate by going dozens of miles away. No need to evacuate hundreds of miles away. You have options.”
Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record in West Central Florida.
Tampa General Hospital is determined to stay open as Hurricane Milton passes and is taking several steps to protect its facilities, including erecting a flood barrier around its Davis Islands campus.
The flood barrier, known as the AquaFence, is a watertight barrier built to withstand storm surge up to 15 feet above sea level, the hospital said in a statement. The fence successfully protected the facility from the flood waters of Hurricane Helene about two weeks ago.
The Davis Islands site is also equipped with a water well and energy plant built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.
At the main campus and three other facilities, Tampa General has stocked five days’ worth of food, linens and other supplies and deployed staff trained in emergency management.
“Once the storm has passed and roads are safe, additional providers and staff will return to work to relieve teams and continue to support response and recovery efforts,” the hospital system said.
Residents should avoid flooding because it increases the risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which can be life-threatening, the department said. Vibrio bacteria, commonly found in warm coastal waters, can make people sick when ingested or when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water.
“After heavy rainfall and flooding, the concentration of these bacteria can increase, particularly in brackish and brackish water environments,” the department said in a news release Tuesday.
People with weakened immune systems, liver disease, or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus.
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, chills, fast or high heart rate, confusion or disorientation, the Health Department said. People experiencing these symptoms should get immediate medical attention, especially after being exposed to floodwaters, the department said.
To avoid bacterial infection, people should avoid swimming or swimming in flood waters, cover open cuts or wounds with waterproof bandages if they are likely to come into contact with flood waters, and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water after contact with water.
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