Florida authorities continue to urge residents who have not yet relocated to leave the area or seek shelter as Category 5 Hurricane Milton barrels toward the state.
Jodie Fiske, Manatee County Public Safety Director, told Rosemary Church from CNN that as of Wednesday morning (9) there were approximately 5,000 residents in shelters in the county.
Nine shelters are currently open, with more on hold and Fiske says current shelters are at about 50% capacity.
“The fact that the highways are crowded is a sign that people are taking this very seriously,” Fiske said.
Manatee County is home to Bradenton and is south of Tampa.
In Pasco County, officials are sending the same message to residents and urging them to seek shelter if they haven’t already.
Colin Burns, deputy incident commander for Pasco County, told CNN that the county was housing about 3,000 residents in shelters as of Wednesday morning.
There are six shelters in the area with “pretty high” capacity, according to Burns, but county officials have 10 additional shelters on standby.
“Don’t hesitate,” said Burns, “if you can get out, get out.”
Crews in the area have worked tirelessly to clean up the debris left behind by Hurricane Helene and will continue to work as long as the weather permits, according to Burns.
Pasco County is located north of Tampa and is home to New Port Richey and Land O’ Lakes.
This content was originally published in Florida authorities appeal: “If you can leave, leave” on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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