Calm but determined, Eric Beck was ready to ride out any blow from Hurricane Milton.
The hurricane was on a track to slam into Florida’s Gulf Coast, potentially near Tampa, Wednesday, though Florida’s governor warned Sunday all Floridians needed to be ready. On Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 35 counties across the state. That grew to 51 counties on Sunday, including Broward and Palm Beach.
Lisa J. Huriash/Sun Sentinel
Eric Beck, of Coral Springs, fills gas canisters at a 7-11 on Sunday, Oct, 6, 2024. This will be his first hurricane. (Lisa J. Huriash/ Sun Sentinel)
“This is not a good track for the state of Florida,” he warned in a press conference Sunday. “We’re going to get hit in some way, shape or form.”
“Just don’t get wedded to where the landfall is being predicted right now,” DeSantis warned. “If you are a little bit – 30, 40 miles – north, that does not mean that this storm can’t toggle. If you are further south it doesn’t mean you are not going to get impacts. The cone at this point effectively can bring it almost anywhere on the western Florida peninsula.”
Beck took heed and wasn’t taking chances. He came with his son to a 7-11 gas station in Coral Springs to fill up three canisters for the family’s cars. A Michigan transplant, Milton could become his initiation hurricane.
“We’re just figuring it’s going to rain,” he said, but the extra gas is to “be prepared.” It would help “go a little further” if things go badly, he reasoned.
Hurricane Milton formed Sunday over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to quickly intensify as it moves east and northeast, the National Weather Service said.
Heavy rainfall leading to possible flooding is expected across South Florida through much of this week, officials said. A flood watch is in effect for the entire area through Thursday morning and authorities warned of “damaging wind impacts for portions of South Florida from Milton.”
It is still too early to provide specifics on potential impacts and locations, but the general time frame of storm impacts in South Florida would be late Tuesday through Wednesday, the National Weather Service said in a prepared statement.
Jose De La Riva, who owns homes in Miami Lakes and Pompano Beach, was in a Coral Springs Home Depot on Sunday to buy items unrelated to the storm. But he grabbed several cases of bottled water at the last minute after a worker mulled out loud: “Looks like the storm is coming our way.”
“Of course we’re worried,” he said. Next on his to-do list: the supermarket for bread, soup, and ice for the freezer.
Lisa J. Huriash/Sun Sentinel
Jose De La Riva, who owns homes in Miami Lakes and near the ocean in Pompano Beach, swings by a Coral Springs Home Depot for items and picked up bottled water as a last-minute precaution on Sunday, Oct 6, 2024.
The Coast Guard issued a warning Sunday for South Florida’s Port Everglades that sustained gale force winds are anticipated. The current level is known as “whiskey” and coming next is “x-ray” and restrictions will be imposed such as some commercial vessels won’t be allowed to leave the port, a spokesman said Sunday.
That’s level is expected to rise 6 p.m. Sunday, said spokesman Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez. “Conditions are going to be getting worse. It’s a safety protocol.”
Several cities are already distributing sand bags ahead of the rain, and others taking precaution.
In Fort Lauderdale, officials said additional contractor pumps and Vactor trucks are on standby. Hallandale Beach scurried to complete routine maintenance of stormwater systems, inspect flood-prone areas, and clear drainage systems to mitigate potential flooding.
In Pembroke Pines, free sandbag distribution began Sunday and will resume 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Pembroke Pines Health Park, 8300 West Cypress Drive. Proof of city residency is required, and residents are required to fill their own bags. The city will supply sand, bags, and shovels and assist the elderly and people with disabilities.
Hollywood is offering sand for residents to fill bags at the following locations: Jefferson Park, 1501 Jefferson St.; Rotary Park, 3150 Taft St.; Driftwood Community Center, 3000 N. 69th Ave.
Residents can also pick up empty bags at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Administrative office, 1405 S. 28th Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
North Lauderdale City Manager Mike Sargis said his city gave away two dump trucks of sand, or about 5-8 tons, on Sunday, emptying its supply.
“They want to be prepared in case the worst comes,” he said of his residents.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash
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