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1 year oldTime runs out on massive evacuation effort
Officials spent the final hours ahead of Milton’s arrival imploring people to err on the side of caution.
TAMPA — As sheets of rain fell on Wednesday morning, dozens of people trickled into Middleton High School to take refuge, one of numerous shelters bracing for the impact of Hurricane Milton.
They came carrying clothes and water in plastic bags, huddled together under flimsy umbrellas, shuffling with canes. A family from Honduras arrived with five parakeets, two guinea pigs and a black rabbit, nervously juggling several cages.“We are all so worried,” Isabel Canales said.
Nerves were on edge across the city — and throughout much of central Florida — as the ferocious storm loomed offshore. As of 9 a.m., about 1,200 people had arrived at the school, and workers said room remained for anyone who still decided to seek shelter from Milton.