We are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Milton, currently approaching from the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later this afternoon and intensify rapidly as it moves eastward toward Florida.
Although the projected path remains uncertain, Milton is predicted to make landfall along Florida’s West Coast as a Category 3 hurricane by late Tuesday evening.
Should our area experience a direct hit, we could face significant tidal surges and sustained winds exceeding 100 MPH. While Milton is not as large as Hurricane Helene, it is anticipated to move through quickly. We urge all residents who have not yet done so to reactivate their evacuation plans and ensure they have necessary supplies before demand surges. Please be prepared for potential power outages and disruptions to services in the event of direct landfall on or near our island, as recovery may not be as swift as it was following Helene.
Governor DeSantis has issued a statewide emergency declaration by Executive Order Number 24-214 (pdf), and both Indian Shores and Redington Shores will extend or issue new declarations for Milton. While no evacuation order has been issued yet, we expect one may be announced by this evening or early tomorrow morning. Our teams have begun securing town assets in preparation for this significant weather event and are in constant coordination with Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, and Fire Departments.
On a positive note, a debris collection site has been established, and we anticipate that debris removal contractors will begin clearing remnants from Hurricane Helene by Monday.
Please stay informed and follow any official advisories as we prepare for Tropical Storm Milton. We will be posting News Flashes at www.myindianahores.com as things developed. Sign up to receive News Flashes here.
For emergency notifications from Pinellas County and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, sign up with AlertPinellas. 