Governments, businesses and residents along Florida's Gulf Coast were making plans Sunday for the approach of what is likely going to be Hurricane Milton by late Sunday or early Monday.
Lines at gas stations formed early Sunday and people were starting to filter in to stores to gather water and other supplies.
Meanwhile governments were starting to plan meetings to enact local state of emergency declarations. Sand bag locations were enhanced in some areas.
Late Saturday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued the following Executive Order declaring a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties ahead of the storm, including Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia counties.
Also, FEMA encouraged Floridians to prepare for a possible hurricane.
"FEMA is monitoring the potential for tropical storm conditions which may affect areas in Florida late this weekend into the middle of next week. This storm may bring storm surge and heavy rainfall to areas recovering from hurricanes Helene and Debby and affect areas far from the coast," a release issued by the agency said.
FEMA said it was prepared to respond and stood ready to support the state with any request for resources. Hundreds of FEMA staff are on the ground in Florida supporting Helene recovery and coordinating with the state to prepare people for the next storm.
Flood watch: A flood watch is in effect from Sunday Morning through Thursday morning for portions of Southwest Florida, including Charlotte, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties.
The watch will run from today (Sunday morning) through Thursday morning.
Heavy rainfall is forecast this week as deep moisture streams across the area. Then, as a tropical system approaches late Tuesday into Wednesday, the threat for heavy rainfall will increase further.
Rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches, with isolated totals up to 12 inches will be possible.
U.S. Coast Guard: The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for St. Petersburg set Port Condition Whiskey for the Ports of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Seaport Manatee, and Ft. Myers, Saturday, at 1:00 p.m., due to the expectation of sustained winds greater than 39 mph generated from Tropical Storm Milton that may arrive within 72 hours.
Port condition terms:
- Whiskey: Set when gale force winds are expected to arrive at the port within 72 hours. Port remains open to all commercial traffic, but oceangoing ships and barges must report their intention to remain in port or depart. If they are departing, they must do so within 12 hours of gale-force winds.
- X-Ray: Gale force winds are expected within 48 hours. The rules are similar to port condition Whiskey.
- Yankee: Gale force winds predicted within 24 hours. Vessels seeking to depart must arrange immediate departure. Cargo operations must cease with 18 kilometre per hour (kph) winds. Transfer hoses must be disconnected with 22 kph winds. Ships seeking to arrive in port should seek an alternate destination.
- Zulu: Gale force winds within 12 hours. The port is closed.
Statewide
Attorney General Ashley Moody said Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline will be extended following a state of emergency declaration for areas of the state preparing for Tropical Storm Milton.
Florida’s price gouging law remains in effect for the counties already under the state of emergency order for Hurricane Helene and will remain active for the areas covered by Milton.
During a storm-related declared state of emergency, state law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities, such as equipment, food, gasoline, hotel rooms, ice, lumber and water needed as a direct result of the event.
Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
Lee County
Sanibel: The National Hurricane Center advises that Tropical Storm Milton will quickly develop into a hurricane and may be a major hurricane when it makes eventual landfall along the west coast of Florida.
Additional information in the National Hurricane Center advisory that residents and business owners should monitor:
- Rainfall on Sanibel, between Saturday, October 5 and Thursday, October 10 may be 4-6”. This forecast is subject to change with each update.
- Windspeeds for a Major Hurricane may exceed 110 mph.
Sanibel may see tropical storm force winds on Tuesday, October 8, by 8 pm.
- Rainfall on Sanibel, between Saturday, October 5 and Thursday, October 10 may be 4-6”. This forecast is subject to change with each update.
- Windspeeds for a Major Hurricane may exceed 110 mph.
Sanibel may see tropical storm force winds on Tuesday, October 8, by 8 pm.
- Rainfall on Sanibel, between Saturday, October 5 and Thursday, October 10 may be 4-6”. This forecast is subject to change with each update.
- Windspeeds for a Major Hurricane may exceed 110 mph.
Sanibel may see tropical storm force winds on Tuesday, October 8, by 8 pm.
Sanibel received more than 50” of rainfall prior to the storm surge flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Residents and business owners should anticipate Tropical Storm or Hurricane Milton will likely bring flooding to Sanibel.
Residents and business owners who are in low-lying areas of Sanibel, or who may not feel safe in their structure during a storm, should consider finding alternative accommodations in advance of the storm’s arrival.
Mayor Richard Johnson and City Manager Dana Souza will provide a live update on storm preparations today at 1:30pm on the City of Sanibel Facebook page.
Fort Myers Beach: Officials from the Town of Fort Myers Beach will hold a Special Town Council Meeting, today (October 6) to declare a Local State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Milton.
The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers, at 2731 Oak Street.
Manatee County
Helene Recovery and Preparation for Milton: A local State of Emergency remains in effect for clean-up and recovery after Helene, as another local State of Emergency has been declared for Tropical Storm Milton.
Latest forecasts put Milton as a strong hurricane interacting with Florida’s west coast beginning Tuesday and continuing through Thursday. Residents along the west coast of Florida who are still recovering from Helene should start preparing for potential storm surge and rain impacts now.
Manatee County has already begun preparations for heavy rainfall by lowering the levels in Lake Manatee to 37 feet. Manatee County has updated the storm information page to include water level monitors for Lake Manatee, local streams, and rivers available on www.MyManatee.org/storm
Sandbag locations have been replenished across the county and are available at a number of self-service locations. A list of those locations can be found at MyManatee.org/Storm.
Debris collection is continuing through the weekend and into the next week (weather permitting). The county is adding more trucks to complete the passes through these areas as quickly as possible. Please separate debris to expedite the proper collection.
The weather is expected to deteriorate through the day Tuesday with the worst conditions to be experienced Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Closings and postponements will be announced as the storm moves closer to our area. Residents and visitors should monitor local news and weather broadcasts as well as the County's social media accounts for updates. Follow official storm information from Manatee County at MyManatee.org/storm.
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