By [helix]
CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector is issuing a dire warning to residents in evacuation zones:
time is running out to escape the impending danger posed by Hurricane Milton. “Human life is our priority right now,” Rector stated during a press conference. “As my friend Mayor Jane Castor said yesterday, if you choose to stay in an evacuation area, you're risking death. It's very serious. This is the most significant storm we've had here in probably a century.”
With the storm forecasted to make landfall soon, Mayor Rector emphasized the urgency of evacuating. “It is very important that people get out as soon as possible,” he urged, particularly addressing seniors in high-rise condominium buildings who may be hesitant to leave.
Rector warned that even residents on upper floors are not safe from the storm’s impacts. “They don’t realize they’re still at risk. No matter how high up you are, projectiles can go through your windows. You’re going to be without power for up to two weeks or more, and it’s not a safe place to be,” he cautioned. “If you’re in an evacuation zone, you need to get out.”
In an effort to ensure residents heed the evacuation orders, Rector plans to accompany police officers on rounds to convince those remaining in their homes to leave. “I want to describe to them the misery I saw last week after Hurricane Helene,” he noted, recalling the aftermath of the previous storm.
As the clock ticks down to Hurricane Milton’s arrival, Clearwater officials are mobilizing resources to assist residents in need, opening shelters and preparing for potential widespread impacts. Mayor Rector’s message is clear: prioritize your safety and evacuate now.
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