Florida Prepares for Hurricane Milton with Evacuation Plans

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has announced a comprehensive shuttle system to assist residents in evacuation zones as Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast. This measure aims to facilitate safe evacuation for those living in areas identified as high-risk due to the impending hurricane.

Residents in need of evacuation assistance can contact the shuttle service between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the emergency helpline, 800-729-3413. This system is established to ensure that all individuals, particularly those without access to personal transportation, can reach designated shelters safely.

The evacuation charter bus schedule for October 8, provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, includes multiple routes. Specifically, Bus #2 will service Clearwater Beach and Clearwater Beach Island, while Bus #3, #4, and #5 will cover North, Central, and Southern Pinellas County, respectively.

Additionally, Bus #8 and Bus #9 are designated for Central and East Pasco County. In the City of Tampa, Buses #11, #12, and #13 will operate, while South-Central and Eastern Hillsborough County will be serviced by Bus #14 and Bus #15.

Denis Phillips, Chief Meteorologist, provided an update on Hurricane Milton, which continues to move toward Florida. The meteorologist confirmed that the tropical system has strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane, underscoring the need for urgent preparedness and adherence to evacuation orders.