Aftermath of Hurricane Milton: Severe damage in Hillsborough County, residents rescued from flooding

TAMPA, Fla. – Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Helene caused significant damage in Hillsborough County, Hurricane Milton brought several hours of heavy rain and wind, causing widespread flooding and power outages.

Before Milton reached landfall Wednesday evening, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor implored residents in evacuation zones A and B to move to higher ground. Hillsborough County issued a mandatory evacuation order for evacuation zones A and B, as well as all mobile homes and manufactured homes.

Hundreds of thousands of customers across the country lost power during the storm, causing widespread outages.

County officials are encouraging everyone to conserve as much water as possible while crews monitor all water and wastewater systems.

Plant city

Officials in Plant City say they are dealing with “unprecedented” flooding, prompting dozens of rescues late Wednesday into early Thursday.

Tampa

According to Tampa police, a tree crashed into a home in Tampa and officers responded to help those trapped inside as soon as there was a break in storm bands.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office rescued 135 people from an assisted living facility in Tampa. Shortly after 7 a.m., officials said they received a call that residents of the Great American Assisted Living Facility were trapped inside.

According to the sheriff's office, residents were waist-deep in water and many were confined to wheelchairs.

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

The city of Tampa announced that some areas of the city that were more directly affected by the storm are not yet considered safe and are only open to the public.

The city has set up a website to inform residents of any travel restrictions or closures. For more information click here.

Temple terrace

Officials in Temple Terrace say damage assessment began Thursday morning, adding that all non-essential city services, including City Hall, the Family Recreation Complex, the Omar K. Lightfoot Complex and the library, are closed until further notice.

Due to widespread power outages caused by Milton, the town of Temple Terrace is under a boil water advisory.

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