Duval Times

TAMPA, Fla. – Senator Rick Scott was joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Congresswoman Laurel Lee, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, and State Senator Jay Collins at the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center in Tampa. They gathered to receive updates from local law enforcement leaders and emergency management officials on preparations for Tropical Storm Milton. Earlier today, Senator Scott received a briefing from Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The NHC currently forecasts that Tropical Storm Milton will make landfall this week as a major hurricane along Florida's Gulf Coast.

Senator Rick Scott stated: “Today in Tampa, alongside Sheriff Chad Chronister, Mayor Jane Castor, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Commissioner Wilton Simpson, CFO Jimmy Patronis, Congresswoman Laurel Lee, State Senator Jay Collins and our emergency management professionals we have a clear message: if local authorities ask you to evacuate – LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. I just got briefed on the storm and spoke with NHC Director Dr. Michael Brennan. The NHC currently expects Milton to impact the Gulf Coast as a major Category 3 hurricane and it will have hurricane strength across our state. That means there is likely to be storm surge on both coasts flooding torrential rain and power outages across large portions of the state. Hurricane Helene was far off coast when it passed through the Tampa Bay area yet we still lost people in that storm While this storm’s track could change a direct hit on any of the communities in the Tampa Bay area will bring devastation like this community has never seen in our lifetimes All Floridians along Florida’s Gulf Coast need to be prepared I know it’s only been one week since Hurricane Helene made landfall It’s unimaginable another big storm is headed toward our state but prepare now because your life depends on it."

He added his concerns about debris removal: "I am very concerned about debris removal here and along the Gulf Coast because anything loose on the ground can become a projectile aimed at homes and businesses with strong winds or water I’ve raised this concern many times with state local federal leaders I’m raising it again today because all levels of government must work together on this I understand efforts are already underway locally statewide to speed up debris removal I'll fight to ensure our local state governments aren’t bogged down by federal bureaucracy so this gets done quickly FEMA fully reimburses them for this work As always say we can rebuild house but cannot rebuild life Take this storm seriously make plan prepare today."

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness for preparation information today. For updates on Tropical Storm Milton from the National Hurricane Center visit nhc.noaa.gov or @NHC_Atlantic on X formerly known as Twitter and from Florida Division of Emergency Management visit floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT Additionally he urges those recovering from Hurricane Helene needing assistance from federal agencies FEMA SBA other federal matters contact his office at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework.