As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, residents are being urged to make a “pet plan.”
A week after Hurricane Helen devastated the Southeast, the latest forecast released by the National Hurricane Center on Sunday shows Milton will rapidly intensify as it moves from east to northeast. , it is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
The storm is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, according to a 2 p.m. hurricane advisory. At the time, the Category 1 storm was approximately 1,315 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. Wind speeds are expected to exceed 110 mph in Milton by Monday or Tuesday.
Michelle Reidy and her son Jordan Reidy return to their second-floor apartment with their pets after fleeing as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Michelle Reidy and her son Jordan Reidy return to their second-floor apartment with their pets after fleeing as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Residents were urged Sunday to make a “pet plan” as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida. Other Joe Radle/Getty Images
Although forecast models vary widely, the most likely path is for Milton to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday, potentially maintaining hurricane status as it crosses central Florida and enters the Atlantic Ocean. It shows. The path would largely spare other southeastern states already hit hard by Hurricane Helen, which devastated areas from Florida to the Appalachians, with the death toll reaching 230 by Sunday. Probably.
There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind effects late Tuesday and late Wednesday. Residents in affected areas of Florida are being warned to not only prepare for the hurricane but also have a “pet plan” in place.
In a statement posted on the Florida Department of Emergency Management’s website Sunday, the Florida Department of Emergency Management warned residents to have a disaster plan in place, including measures pet owners should consider.
“If you evacuate your home, do not leave pets or animals behind. Pets and large animals cannot survive on their own. If they do survive, you may not be able to find them when you return. Be prepared. Please protect your family and pets now before the next disaster occurs. ”
According to the agency’s website, the steps include finding a safe place to take your pet and assembling a portable pet emergency kit that includes a leash and necessary medical supplies.
This comes as pets are often left behind as residents evacuate during high-impact storms, leaving organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States that coordinate relocation and rescue efforts. .
Following Helen’s harrowing path, animals have been moved to facilities in Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., where they are being adopted.
The Humane Society of the United States announced in a news release Monday that it is assisting multiple communities in need of animal assistance in Florida and Tennessee in the aftermath of deadly Hurricane Helen.
Newsweek reached out to the Humane Society for comment via an online email form.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 35 counties on Saturday as Milton approaches Florida.
DeSantis wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he has directed the Florida Department of Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to coordinate all available personnel and resources to assist in debris removal.
“We continue to deploy state assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration, and road clearing.”
In an update Sunday, De Santis issued Executive Order 24-215, amending a previous order and declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties.
As of Sunday, the Florida Department of Emergency Management has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 for Tropical Storm Milton and is leading the coordination efforts of the State Emergency Response Team.
DeSantis said Sunday that while Milton’s path is unclear, it’s clear Florida will be hit hard. “I don’t think there’s a scenario right now that wouldn’t have a major impact,” DeSantis said.
“We have time to prepare all day today, all day Monday, and probably all day Tuesday to make sure our hurricane preparedness plans are in place,” the governor said. “If you’re on the west coast of Florida, on the barrier islands, expect to be evicted.”
