The Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning for the Yucatan Peninsula coast from Celestun to Rio Lagartos
Gov. Ron DeSantis told a news conference Sunday that an around-the-clock operation to clear debris and fallen trees from Helene was underway ahead of Milton’s arrival, to minimize the threat from flying objects. He said Milton is expected to make landfall in Hillsborough or Pinellas county Wednesday evening and preemptively issued an emergency declarations for 51 counties.
Some areas are set to officially order evacuations today, including the coastal city of Anna Maria, south of Tampa, where a mandatory order begins at midday Monday. Pinellas County has begun mandatory evacuations for long-term care facilities.
However, state officials are stressing that people can leave without an order. “Have a plan, execute the plan,” DeSantis told a news conference. “You certainly can leave now. You don’t have to wait to get an evacuation order.”
Polk County, to the east of Tampa, has published a list of shelters, including three pet-friendly ones.
Many schools and colleges will be shut: All public schools in Collier County are shut from Monday through Thursday.
Milton is noteworthy for its very unusual path, approaching Florida from the west: Since 1850 only two storms have originated in the Gulf’s Bay of Campeche and made landfall in Florida.
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