Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated Florida’s Gulf Coast, another hurricane is expected to impact regions still dealing with recovery efforts.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Tropical Storm Milton, currently forming in the Gulf of Mexico, poses a “risk of life-threatening impacts” for the Gulf Coast in the coming days.
Tuesday morning, local rest areas and gas stations were packed with people evacuating from central Florida.
Anthony Kaleb was evacuating with his wife and two dogs in their Toyota Camry.
Kaleb said it took them 12 hours to reach Gadsden County, and they couldn’t find any gas or fast food along the way.
He stopped at the rest stop just east of I-10 exit 192 to get a few hours of sleep before heading to New Orleans.
Another family at the rest area said it took them six hours to travel from Plant City.
The family, consisting of seven people (including an infant), and three dogs travelled together in a pick-up truck and SUV.
Daisy Ortiz said they spent the night at the rest area because they couldn’t find any lodging with vacancies.
She said they were still looking, and planned to stay in the Tallahassee area to ride the storm out.
It appears Gadsden County may dodge the bullet once again. Helene made landfall near Perry, as a Category 4 storm less than two weeks ago.
“The storm didn’t impact us at the significant rate we thought it would,” said Public Information Officer, Lesley Steele. All of our measures were taken and we were adequately prepared.”
At the height of the storm, Talquin Electric Cooperative had more than 4,000 meters without power. Talquin’s crews alongside mutual aid and contractors worked around the clock to reach full restoration across the entire service territory which includes Gadsden, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties in less than 72 hours, explained Samantha Jessee, Talquin Electric Cooperative, Communications and Outreach Manager.
In some areas of Midway, the storm’s intensity was greater. The heavy downpour washed roads away on Timber Run Road and Lanier Road. The Rustling Pines and Orion’s Point community were left with a sinkhole, large enough to swallow a car
Moreover, in Havana, the storm swept through Doerun Road, a privately owned street where seven residents found themselves trapped in their homes as a large portion of the road leading in and out of the community completely washed away, making access impossible for residents and emergency services.
For four days the families were unsuccessful in contacting the right agency for help. Kelly said a neighbor’s daughter contacted emergency management.
“I didn’t know who to call because this is a private road. I wasn’t sure who to call for this kind of help,” said Kelly, owner of Hurricane Creek Farm with nearly 200 livestock.
On Monday, Oct.1, Candace Hill, Emergency Management Logistics Officer received a phone call regarding the stranded residents. Immediately, Hill reached out to TaShonda Whaley, Director of Emergency Operations Management.
“We reached out to the Department of Transportation and put in a mission for them to assist us with this issue,” Hill said.
The next day, Hill, along with the Department of Transportation crew and volunteer firefighter Andre Walker arrived on site. The crew began working at 11 am, ending their day around 6 p.m.
“This part of the road was completely washed away,” Hill explained, pointing out the severe water damages. Hill described pipes that lasted through previous storms and over three decades were destroyed by Helene floods.
As of Tuesday at press deadline, Hurricane Milton was not expected to impact Gadsden County.
In the event of a weather emergency, citizens are asked to contact the Citizen Help Line at (850) 875-8903.
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