Tampa business owner not evacuating for Hurricane Milton: 'Protecting our property'
Rick Mijares says he is staying in Tampa, Florida to serve as a 'first responder' for his home, business and community if the need arises.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered a message to Florida residents as Hurricane Milton creeps closer to the western coast of Florida.
"Stay safe, Florida," the team said in a statement on X.
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This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image, taken at 12:15 p.m. EDT and provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shows Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (NOAA via AP)
The Bucs moved their operations earlier in the week to New Orleans as they prepared to take on the Saints.
"In advance of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall, the Buccaneers will depart Tampa on Tuesday morning," the team said. "The team will relocate operations to the New Orleans area for the remainder of the week leading up to Sunday’s game at the Saints. Media availabilities will be conducted virtually beginning on Wednesday."
Additionally, Tropicana Field – the home of the Tampa Bay Rays – turned into a base camp for Florida emergency officials.
HURRICANE MILTON: PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM LOOTING WITH THESE 4 STEPS
A view of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo at midfield before a game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis directed Florida crews that were dispatched to North Carolina to help the state dig out of Hurricane Helene’s aftermath to return to Florida to prepare for Milton’s arrival, which is churning in the Gulf of Mexico as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane.
Florida emergency officials launched evacuation orders for most of the state’s western coast in preparation for Milton. Many of those same regions were still trying to dig out from Helene.
"Time is running out," DeSantis said Tuesday, via USA Today. "There's no guarantee what the weather's going to be like starting Wednesday morning ... You may have a window where it may be safe, but you may not. So use today as your day to finalize and execute the plan that is going to protect you and your family."
Cots seen at Tropicana Field before the arrival of Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Oct. 7, 2024. (REUTERS/Octavio Jones)
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Milton is expected to bring a deadly storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rain, according to Fox Weather. Forecasters warned of a possible 10- to 15-foot storm surge in Tampa Bay. It is the highest surge ever predicted for that location and has led to evacuation orders for communities all along the coast.
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