Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders across 11 Florida counties with a combined population of about 5.9 million people, according to US Census Bureau estimates.
Officials have warned that anyone staying behind must fend for themselves, as first responders are not expected to risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.
In Riverview, south of Tampa, several drivers waiting in a long line for fuel Tuesday said they had no plans to evacuate.
Martin Oakes, of nearby Apollo Beach, said: “I think we’ll just hang, you know – tough it out. We got shutters up. The house is all ready. So this is sort of the last piece of the puzzle.”
However, others were not taking any chances after Helene. On Anna Marie Island along the southern edge of Tampa Bay, Evan Purcell packed up his father’s ashes and was trying to catch his 9-year-old cat, McKenzie, as he prepared to leave Tuesday. Helene left him with thousands of dollars in damage when his home flooded. He feared Milton might take the rest.
He said: “I’m still in shock over the first one and here comes round two. I just have a pit in my stomach about this one.”