St. Petersburg Prepares for Hurricane Milton with Senior Support

News Summary

As Hurricane Milton intensifies, St. Petersburg is mobilizing to aid its community, especially seniors, with a $40,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The grant will provide severe weather kits containing essential supplies to ensure the safety of elderly residents. Local officials are also urging residents to check on their neighbors and prepare for the impacts of the hurricane as evacuations are underway for over 350 healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, preparations continue for Tropical Storm Helene, with sandbag locations operating across the city.

St. Petersburg Gears Up for Hurricane Milton with Support for Seniors

St. Petersburg is buzzing with preparations as the community braces for the impending impact of Hurricane Milton, a rapidly intensifying storm that is forecast to reach a staggering Category 4. With local officials urging residents to take necessary precautions, there’s good news for seniors in the area, thanks to the recent Duke Energy Foundation grant of $40,000 aimed at keeping the elderly safe during severe weather.

Support for Seniors with Severe Weather Kits

The Duke Energy Foundation has stepped up to support the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas by providing funding to supply seniors with essential severe weather kits. These kits are designed to ensure seniors have the tools they need to stay safe as we dive into the hurricane season. Volunteers from the company have rolled up their sleeves to help assemble these critical kits filled with helpful supplies.

The comprehensive kits include items such as:

• A 12-hour light stick for visibility
• A flashlight complete with batteries
• A handy headlamp
• Reliable matches
• A battery-powered radio for updates
• A mini first-aid kit for emergencies
• Essential hygiene items
• Various other critical supplies

As Hurricane Milton approaches, people are reminded to check on their elderly neighbors to ensure they have the resources they need.

City of St. Petersburg Prepares for Tropical Storm Helene

Meanwhile, City of St. Petersburg officials are on high alert as they prepare for the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. Mayor Ken Welch has emphasized that the storm surge could be historic for the Tampa Bay area, with projections suggesting surges of 5-8 feet. The city has announced closure of city buildings on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and Thursday, Sept. 26.

For residents needing to prepare their properties, self-service and full-service sandbag locations are set up throughout the city. Some convenient locations for sandbags include:

• Lake Maggiore Park Shelter Area
• Northeast Park East Baseball Field Parking Lot
• Northwest Swimming Pool Parking Lot

Each household can receive up to 10 sandbags with proof of residence. Residents are also being encouraged to conserve water on Thursday and Friday until after the storm passes to ease the demand on the water supply.

Assistance and Resources Available

For any preparations or questions, the County Information Center (CIC) is ready to help and is open 24 hours at (727) 464-4333. Residents are also advised to stay informed by signing up for Alert Pinellas and downloading the Ready Pinellas App for the latest updates.

Impact of Hurricane Milton

The looming threat of Hurricane Milton has prompted evacuations at over 350 healthcare facilities in the surrounding Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Florida’s Governor has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties, anticipating the storm’s significant impacts. With over 1 million power outages possible, Duke Energy Florida is mobilizing around 10,000 responders to tackle the challenges after the storm passes.

Furthermore, FEMA is on the scene, ready to assist storm victims from both Hurricane Helene and Milton with necessary resources like meals, water, generators, and tarps. It is a busy time for the community as residents prepare for the storm and support each other through the challenges that lie ahead.

With community spirit shining bright, St. Petersburg is truly coming together as the storm approaches, showing that when it comes to facing challenges, we are better together.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Recent School Threats Leave St. Petersburg on High Alert
St. Petersburg Faces Funding Woes Amid Ongoing Legal Battle
St. Petersburg Community Festival Rescheduled for March 8
St. Petersburg Celebrates Community Spirit and New Initiatives
Volunteer Opportunities in Tampa Bay
St. Petersburg Hosts 12th Annual Localtopia Festival
New Programs and Community Initiatives in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Secures $800,000 for Hurricane Relief Efforts
University of South Florida President Announces Retirement
Action-Packed Weekend in the Bay Area

Additional Resources

• St. Pete Catalyst: Still Recovering from Helene
• Fierce Healthcare: Florida Hospitals Again Evacuating
• WTSP: St. Petersburg Preparing for Tropical Storm Milton
• Wikipedia: Hurricane Milton
• Google Search: Hurricane Preparation Tips