They have recommended that everyone in a household is familiar with the hurricane plans they’ve made. This may include catering for those at work, children’s daycare, and other frequently visited locations such as grocery stores.
Additionally, the government suggests that households should stock adequate supplies. Some recommended items are medications, disinfectants, and pet supplies that are carried in the go-bag or car trunk. Access to these supplies may be limited for days or even weeks after a hurricane.
Households also need to clear drains and gutters, secure outdoor furniture, and consider installing hurricane shutters. It is highly valuable to charge a cell phone and invest in backup charging devices for electronics when a hurricane is forecasted.
2. Stay Informed
In this step, it’s crucial for households to know if they live in an evacuation zone, listed at the end of this article, as they may need to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. They should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes. They can also practice evacuating with their household and pets, and determine where they will stay.
Households should follow the guidance of local emergency managers, who collaborate with state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies. They will provide up-to-date recommendations based on the specific threats to your community and the necessary safety measures.
3. Check On Your Neighbors
Reach out to your neighbors, especially seniors or those who may require extra assistance, to ensure they have adequate hurricane plans in place. Offer your help in securing their preparations and provide support wherever needed.
4. Stay Out of Flood Water
Households should avoid entering floodwaters, as even six inches of fast-moving water can knock people off their feet. They should prioritize their safety and steer clear of any flooded areas.
5. Turn Around and Do Not Drown
People should be aware that just one foot of moving water can easily sweep away a vehicle. They should stay vigilant and avoid driving through flooded areas. Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through flood waters at all times. When encountering such a scenario, they should turn around.
6. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Lastly, individuals should prioritize their mental health during and after a hurricane. It’s important to acknowledge any feelings of anxiety or stress and seek support if needed. Connect with friends, family, or mental health professionals to discuss your concerns and find coping strategies.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has emphasized the need for households to pay attention to the evacuation zones as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast. She warned the residents, “I can say without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die.”
Tampa is located in Hillsborough County. The region has listed compulsory evacuation orders for those in Zones A and B, as well as those who live in mobile homes. Tampa has urged residents of these areas to evacuate as Hurricane Milton is “literally catastrophic.”
Evacuation Zones
Charlotte County: It has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in Red Zone-A and Orange Zone-B, including those living in mobile and manufactured homes.
Citrus County: It has given a mandatory evacuation order that began on October 8, 2024, for all residents living in campers, tents, mobile homes, manufactured homes, or any structures unable to withstand sustained winds of up to 110 MPH.
Collier County: A voluntary precautionary evacuation is effective immediately for all residents in Collier County in Zones A and B. This includes west of Airport Pulling Road and south of US-41 Tamiami Trail E.
The order covers mobile home residents and areas with a history of storm flooding. A mandatory evacuation for all of Zones A and B began on October 8, 2024.
DeSoto County: It has issued evacuation orders for Zones A (Red) and B (Orange). These areas affect all residents living in mobile and manufactured homes, as well as those in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
Clay County: Currently, there are no mandatory evacuation orders, but residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas, especially along Black Creek or the St. Johns River, are strongly encouraged to consider relocating for safety.
Hardee County: On October 7, 2024, Hardee County Emergency Management advised residents in low-lying areas, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and unsafe structures to evacuate as soon as possible.
Glades County: This county has implemented a voluntary evacuation for mobile homes, RV parks, and low-lying areas, which started on October 8, 2024.
Hillsborough County: This county has announced a mandatory evacuation for Evacuation Zones A and B, including all mobile homes and manufactured housing throughout the county, which started on October 7, 2024.
Hernando County: Mandatory evacuation orders for all areas west of US 19, including evacuation zones A, B, and C began on October 8, 2024. This includes all residents in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as those in manufactured homes countywide.
Levy County: A mandatory evacuation is in effect affecting all mobile homes, manufactured homes, recreational vehicle parks, coastal communities, and low-lying areas west of US 19. Hurricane risk shelters have opened at Bronson Elementary for special needs and Bronson Middle High School for general population/pet-friendly evacuations.
Lee County: It has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A and B, urging residents to finalize emergency plans and evacuate as soon as possible. They should aim to be in a safe location by the evening of October 8, 2024.
Manatee County: This county has issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents in Levels A, B, and C, including visitors in RVs or mobile homes, effective October 7, 2024.
Marion County: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management officials have recommended evacuation for residents living in mobile homes, RVs, modular-type homes, and site-built homes constructed before 1994 due to the hurricane’s projected path.
Miami-Dade County: This county has announced a voluntary evacuation center for residents of mobile home parks, opening the E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion on October 8, 2024, as a pet-friendly evacuation option.
Okeechobee County: A voluntary evacuation has been issued for all low-lying areas and mobile homes starting October 8, 2024.
Pasco County: This county has mandated evacuations for Zone C as the hurricane approaches. Evacuations are required for those in Zones A, B, or C, as well as residents in manufactured homes, RVs, low-lying areas, or structures prone to flooding.
Volusia County: A mandatory evacuation order took effect on October 9, 2024, for all areas east of the Intracoastal Waterway, including residents in manufactured and mobile homes, low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as campsites and RV parks.
Sumter County: Residents in mobile homes, low-lying areas, or with special needs are strongly urged to consider evacuation or relocating to a shelter when they open.
Sarasota County: Residents in Sarasota County living in Level A or near Level A, as well as those in manufactured home communities or mobile/boat homes, are advised to implement their evacuation plans immediately, whether that involves staying with friends or leaving the area.
Pinellas County: Pinellas County has enacted a mandatory evacuation order for all residents in Zones A, B, and C, as well as all mobile homes. Special needs residents and residential healthcare facilities in these zones are also included in the evacuation order.
Putnam County: A recommended evacuation has been issued for Zones F and A due to concerns regarding high river levels.
Obeying the directives issued by local authorities and noting the evacuation zones ensures that families can evacuate safely and efficiently. This also allows emergency services to respond effectively to those in need.
New Homeowners Expressed Gratitude for the Additional Set of Keys I Supposedly Left, but I Never Provided Them, and None of the Locks Correspond to Those Keys
A mysterious set of keys discovered in their grandparents’ old house sends two sisters on a suspenseful journey into their past. As they delve deeper, they uncover a long-forgotten room that reveals the house was hiding more than just cherished memories.
My name is Emily, and I grew up in a house that was more than just bricks and mortar; it was a part of our family’s story. My sister, Megan, and I inherited this old house from our grandparents.
It was a little run-down, but it had character. It was the kind of place that creaks at night, where every sound seems to whisper a memory from the past. We used to laugh about the noises, chalking it up to old pipes or a settling foundation. But deep down, I always felt there was more to it, something almost alive in the way the house carried the echoes of our childhood.
I always loved that house, and not just because it was home. My grandfather, a quiet man with a heart of gold, spent countless hours teaching me how to fix things around the house.
We would spend entire weekends working on small projects like repairing a leaky faucet or sanding down the old wooden floors. He’d tell me stories from his youth, sharing wisdom wrapped in humor. Those moments were priceless, and every corner of the house seemed to hold a piece of him.
After Grandma passed, though, the house felt different, heavy, almost suffocating. Megan couldn’t stand being there anymore. She didn’t even want to step foot in the place after the funeral. While I clung to the memories, she was eager to let go and sell it.
She rushed the whole process, not even bothering with repairs or anything. We got a decent offer, and after some hesitation, I reluctantly agreed to sell it. Letting go was harder than I expected, but I knew it was time to move forward, even if it meant leaving a piece of my heart behind.
A few weeks after the closing, I get this text from the new owners:
“Thanks for leaving the extra set of keys! But we were wondering, what does #1135 mean?”
I blinked at my phone. Extra keys? I didn’t leave any extra keys. I had barely enough time to grab my own before we handed everything over. And that number? No clue. I texted them back:
“I didn’t leave any extra keys. Where did you find them?”
They replied:
“They were in a drawer in the kitchen. None of the locks match though. We tried every door, nothing works. Just thought it was odd.”
A cold shiver ran down my spine. Megan had cleaned out the kitchen. I hadn’t even been in there that much. So, where did these keys come from? And why did this feel off?
I texted Megan right away:
“Did you leave any extra keys in the house? The new owners found some in the kitchen, and they’re asking about #1135.”
Her response was almost immediate:
“NO. THEY NEED TO GET OUT. Tell them to wait outside the house. NOW.”
I felt a lump rise in my throat. Megan never freaked out like this. She was always the cool, collected one. For her to react like this? Something was wrong. Really wrong.
I sent the homeowners a message:
“Hey, just to be safe, could you step outside the house for a bit? Something’s not sitting right with me. I’ll explain when I get more info.”
They replied, concerned but cooperative:
“We’re already out. Standing by the front door. What’s going on?”
I had no idea what was going on, but I needed answers. I called Megan. She picked up on the first ring.
“Meg, what is happening? What does #1135 mean?”
There was silence on the other end. Then, she let out a shaky breath.
“It’s… The code Grandpa used for the basement.”
I felt a chill settle over me.
“Meg… there’s no basement door in that house.”
“I know,” she replied, her voice uneasy. “But there used to be.”
My stomach tightened. “What do you mean?”
Megan was silent for a moment before she finally said, “I’ll explain everything later. For now, they just need to stay outside. I’m coming over with some people who can check it out. I’ll explain when I get there.”
The next hour felt like the longest of my life. Megan didn’t tell me anything over the phone after that, and I had no idea what to expect. I stood by, pacing nervously, while the new homeowners hovered near their front door, visibly concerned.
When Megan finally pulled up with a team of professionals, they didn’t waste any time. Without saying much, they went inside and headed straight to the basement. I watched from the yard, trying not to let my imagination run wild. The new homeowners stood beside me, exchanging worried glances.
After what felt like forever, Megan and the team finally came out. Megan looked both relieved and a little embarrassed. The professionals were packing up their equipment, and one of them gave a thumbs-up as they headed to their van.
Megan walked up to us, brushing off her hands.
“No danger,” she said with a small, apologetic smile. “Everything’s fine. They checked the basement, and there’s nothing hazardous down there. No gas leaks, no chemicals, no faulty wiring.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, but the confusion still lingered. The new homeowners also looked relieved but clearly wanted an explanation.
“So… what was all this about?” I asked.
Megan sighed, rubbing her temples. “I’m sorry for the scare. I honestly didn’t think we’d ever have to deal with this. When I saw the number 1135, it jogged my memory.”
She looked over at the new homeowners and then back at me. “Do you remember how Grandpa used to always do little projects around the house? Years ago, he built a storage area in the basement where he kept tools, extra supplies, and things he didn’t want us kids messing with. He sealed it off when Grandma got sick because they needed the space for medical equipment. I thought everything was cleared out, but I guess not.”
I blinked. “So, what’s #1135?”
“It was the code Grandpa used for that storage room,” Megan explained. “When I saw that number, I panicked. I thought if the new owners found keys, maybe there was something left in that room that could be dangerous — like old supplies or chemicals. I didn’t want to risk it, so I had the professionals come to check.”
The new homeowners exchanged a glance, one of them speaking up. “So the keys are just for an old storage room?”
Megan nodded. “Yeah. I’m so sorry I didn’t mention this earlier. I honestly thought Grandpa had cleared everything out, and I completely forgot about the room after we sealed it up. But when you said you found those keys, I remembered the old room, and I didn’t want to take any chances.”
I shook my head, still a little stunned. “So, there was nothing dangerous down there after all?”
“Nothing at all,” Megan confirmed. “Just some old tools and supplies Grandpa stored years ago. No chemicals, no faulty wiring — it’s completely safe.”
The new homeowners both sighed with relief, one of them smiling. “Well, at least we have an extra room to use now.”
Megan laughed a little, still looking apologetic. “Yeah, think of it as a bonus storage space.”
As the professionals finished packing up and drove off, the tension in the air finally lifted. I gave Megan a look, half-amused and half-exasperated.
“You could’ve told me all of this from the start, you know.”
Megan shrugged sheepishly. “I didn’t want to freak you out until I was sure. And honestly, when I saw that number, I wasn’t thinking clearly. I just remembered Grandpa sealing it off and got worried something dangerous was left behind.”
In the end, it turned out to be nothing more than an old storage room full of forgotten tools and supplies, left sealed off when Grandpa had no more use for it. The panic had been unnecessary, but I couldn’t blame Megan for being cautious.
As the new homeowners went back inside, grateful for the heads-up, Megan and I stood by the car for a moment, shaking our heads.
“I guess we can finally close the chapter on Grandpa’s house,” I said, relieved.
Megan nodded, smiling a little. “Yeah, just one last surprise.”
And that was it. No mystery, no danger — just an old forgotten space that had stayed hidden for a little too long.
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