NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco Board of County Commissioners convened an emergency meeting Oct. 6 to declare a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton.
The board convened about five minutes after the tropical storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, according to Andrew Fossa, director of emergency management for Pasco County.
“Currently, its projected path is going to put us in harm’s way,” Fossa told commissioners. “By the time it makes landfall, it’s projected to be a very strong Category 3 hurricane.”
He said the area should get tropical storm force winds from Tuesday evening to late Wednesday afternoon. The coast is also expected to sustain a six-foot storm surge.
“We are going to have issues,” Fossa said. “We are going to have debris floating. We’re going to have missiles flying everywhere with the debris. So we’re asking for this local state of emergency and then we’re going to follow up also with a request for an evacuation order.”
The county has issued mandatory evacuations, which go into effect at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 for the following:
- Evacuation Zones A and B.
- Everyone living in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco.
- Everyone in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding.
- Everyone in an area ordered evacuated by local authorities due to life-safety hazards.
Voluntary evacuations will go into effect at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 for the following:
- Evacuation Zone C.
- Everyone registered with Pasco as a special needs resident.
- Everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss.
Visit https://pascogis.pascocountyfl.net/evaczone/finder.html to enter your street address and determine your zone.
District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano asked Fossa to compare the storm surges of recent hurricanes Helene and Idalia to give people perspective about how important it is to evacuate.
Pasco County saw storm surges of seven feet during Idalia and 12 to 15 feet during Helene.
“It’s extremely important to evacuate,” Fossa replied. “We’ve preached that through Helene. We preached that through Idalia. When we issue an evacuation order for surge – we’re doing it to save people’s lives. Fortunately, Pasco County was one of the few counties that had zero fatalities.”
Pasco County tallied over 200 rescues in the aftermath of Helene. Fossa said citizens don’t have to evacuate hundreds of miles but tens of miles. He encouraged people to go to a hotel or stay at a shelter.
Pasco County is also opening shelters Oct. 7 for anyone who needs to leave their home ahead of the storm and has nowhere else to stay.
The following shelters open Oct. 7 at noon (and accept family pets):
• Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City.
• Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson.
• River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey.
• Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel.
• Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson (Special Needs Only).
GoPasco bus services will operate regular routes Oct. 7 and offer free rides to shelters. Visit mypas.co/PetHurricanePrep for details about what to bring.
Mariano was encouraged by the work of the county. He mentioned how the county was helping evacuate residents of four trailer parks.
Mariano also expressed concern about debris left over from Hurricane Helene flying around during high winds from Hurricane Milton.
“Citizens also need to remember with all this debris on the ground right now, first responders are not going to be able to navigate those roads,” Fossa said. “It’s going to damage their vehicles and put them in harm’s way also.”
District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the Gulf Harbors community was going to get attention as it has one way in and one way out.
“We are working very hard today to clear that road to be sure that people can evacuate,” Starkey said. “You’re going to inconvenienced maybe by one way traffic or stop-and-go traffic but it is just paramount that we keep at least that road clear so people can get out.”
Commercial haulers will be coming in Oct. 7 to remove as much debris as possible, according to John Battista, operations director for the solid waste department.
“We want to get the storm debris off the roads,” Battista said.
Commissioners were pleased with county staff’s work post-Helene and pre-Milton. District 4 Commissioner Lisa Yeager gave a shoutout not just to county staff but also the community.
“It’s just really awesome to see our community come together and everybody helping everybody,” Yeager said. “It’s just been a huge movement. I’m just really proud to be living in Pasco County.”
Have questions?
Pasco County Customer Service is open until 7 p.m. Oct. 6 and will be open 24 hours beginning Oct. 7 at 7 a.m. Call 727.847.2411 or chat with the county online at MyPasco.net.
