He Hurricane Milton approaches Floridaand before its arrival the authorities have taken measures to protect people with needs specials. According to ABC Newswere enabled shelters in several counties of the state to receive people with disabilities physicsmental or sensory, as well as those with medical conditions that require assistance, but not hospitalization.
These shelters are managed by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and they began to open days before the expected arrival of the hurricane between the night of Wednesday and the morning of Thursday, October 10.
Jae Williamsdirector of communications FDOHexplained to ABC News that these places “are different from a refugio general population” as they are designed to provide a safe and appropriate environment for people with special needs. It is “a fortified structure that will keep you alive. “It won’t necessarily keep the electricity going or be comfortable, but it will keep you alive,” he added.
To date, four have been opened. shelters in it pinellas countythree in Hillsborough y Polktwo in Pascoand one in Hernando, Lee y Manatee. More of these locations are expected to open in other counties such as Lake, Marion y Osceola.
Currently, around 700 people with special needs are in these shelters, a number that is expected to increase, according to Williams. Additionally, some counties, such as Volusiaoffer free public transportation to the shelters, and the Florida Department of Emergency Management announced a collaboration with Uber to provide free trips to these locations.
He FDOH recommends those planning to stay in a shelter carry a kit with medications, vital medical equipment and backup power sources, as well as important personal information. It is also necessary to register in advance at the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry.
In addition to sheltershe FDOH is coordinating evacuations of emergency in healthcare facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes. Nearly 600 vehicles, such as ambulances and special transport buses, have been deployed throughout central Florida in what is considered the largest evacuation of health facilities in state history.
The president Joe Biden warned that the hurricane could be one of the worst in Florida in a centuryurging people under evacuation orders to leave immediately.
“It could be the worst hurricane to hit Florida in more than a century and, God willing, it won’t be, but it seems that way right now,” Biden told reporters this Tuesday at the White Houseshortly after having announced the cancellation of a trip to Germany y Angola to stay in USA and oversee the hurricane response.
“I urge everyone who finds themselves in the path of Hurricane Miltonto listen to local authorities and follow security measures. If you are under evacuation orders, you must evacuate now. They should have evacuated by now. “It is a matter of life or death, and it is not an exaggeration,” he said. Biden.
He National Hurricane Center (NHC) of USA warned in its 3:00 p.m. local time bulletin that “today is the last day for Florida residents to prepare” in their homes or evacuate the designated areas, if indicated by local authorities, confirmed EFE.
Miltona hurricane that strengthened in record time in the Gulf of Mexico until reaching category 5, the highest in the escale Saffir-Simpsonwas downgraded to Category 4 during the early hours of Tuesday but in a matter of hours it strengthened to the maximum and its center is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night near the Bay of Tampain the county of Hillsboroughwest coast of Florida.