Seminole County issues evacuation alert for mobile homes and opens eight shelters as Hurricane Milton nears

Seminole County Chairman Jason Bauer and emergency officials urged residents to shelter now and take the county's evacuation alert seriously as Hurricane Milton approaches.

Bauer opened a county briefing saying Seminole County is “fully prepared” and asked residents in historically flood-prone areas and mobile/manufactured homes to evacuate immediately rather than wait until the storm intensifies. He provided a citizens hotline, (407) 665-0000, and directed residents to the county’s preparedness information on the county’s website and social channels for updates.

Allen Harris, director of Seminole County Emergency Management, said the county’s Emergency Operations Center is fully activated 24/7. Harris said an evacuation order was issued for mobile and manufactured homes, low-lying and flood-prone areas, and persons with special needs, citing risks from heavy winds, significant rain and a tornado threat. He said sandbag operations will begin again when it is safe to do so and directed residents to available shelters.

Harris warned that localized feeder bands could produce heavy totals in some neighborhoods and that river crests on the Saint Johns River are expected several days after the storm, increasing flood risk beyond the immediate passage of Milton. He emphasized that people who live where flooding has occurred before should relocate now to higher ground, to a friend or family member’s concrete masonry home, or to an emergency shelter.

Sheriff Lima said deputies are staffing shelters (he said each shelter has at least four deputies) and asked evacuees to bring identification; the sheriff’s office will conduct background checks and has designated alternate shelter locations for registered offenders. Lima also described anti-crime patrols in evacuated neighborhoods and reminded residents that penalties for crimes during a state of emergency are enhanced.

Officials stressed special accommodations at shelters: Harris said shelters include special-needs and pet-friendly sites and that animal-care staff are on hand. He told residents not to evacuate without pets and said the county has accepted a wide range of animals at shelters.

The county said it will hold additional press briefings as needed and asked the public to remain patient with first responders and utility crews during response and recovery.

The county’s emergency briefing also included guidance on public-safety priorities and where to find help: the citizens hotline (407-665-0000) and the county’s preparedness pages; officials repeated that shelters are available now and encouraged residents to relocate to them immediately if they are in at-risk housing or locations.

The county announced that a Spanish-language update would follow this briefing.