10.11.2024

Today’s Forecast

A Message From Our Team

Dear TBAYtoday readers,

We are removing the events section for the foreseeable future, until we start to hear that roads are passable and businesses and organizations are re-opening. (If you want to look ahead to planned events for later in the year, our calendar is always just a click away on our website.)

We’re all in this together

What we know about Milton’s damage (so far)

A crane lying in the road in downtown St. Pete. There is debris everywhere, it's night time, and four people are standing behind the crane. Streetlights are ahead.

We love you TBAY. | Photo via WTSP

There is no sugarcoating it: Tampa Bay’s recovery and cleanup following Hurricane Milton will likely take months, if not years.

While we don’t know the full extent of Hurricane Milton’s damage, we’re looking at some of the earliest stories we know in the storm’s aftermath.

What we know

As of Thursday afternoon, ~600,000 Tampa Electric customers are without power. Over in Pinellas County, ~410,000 Duke Energy customers’ lights are out. Workers are doing everything they can to get power back on for the ~3.5 million across Florida sitting in the dark.

One of the biggest stories from the storm came from Tropicana Field, where the roof ripped off in the gusts. The baseball stadium was being used to house first responders, linemen, and essential workers preparing to assist in Milton’s aftermath — they were all evacuated. The Rays are assessing the damage and working with law enforcement to secure the facility.

Nearby, in downtown St. Pete, a crane fell into the Tampa Bay Times’ building, causing significant structural damage. It reportedly fell from the construction site of the nearby Residences at 400 Central, the soon-to-be tallest tower in the Burg.

A downed tree is across a road after Hurricane Milton. There is debris all over the road, and the road is entirely blocked by the huge green branches. — Keep off the roads if you can.
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Photo via WTSP

How to help

There are several ways you can help right away. First and foremost, stay inside if you can. This keeps roadways clear for emergency workers, essential personnel, and first responders as they assess damage and attend to critical needs. It may be tempting to go and take a look at the damage, but in doing so, you could make it worse.

This has been a rough hurricane season so far for TBAY. Experts say this is because of warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico. These waters have been warmer than usual in 2024, which is why an above-average Atlantic hurricane season was predicted earlier this year.

We truly hope you are doing okay. Please send in your photos from the storm and its damage so we can share them in a future newsletter.

Get immediate FEMA assistance

News Notes

Transit

Our friends at 10 Tampa Bay are keeping an updated list of flooded and blocked roads in counties in and around our area. They’re keeping track of boil-water notices too. Note: These lists may not be exhaustive, and may not be updated immediately. (WSTP)

History

Three hurricanes have made landfall in Florida in 2024 so far. Milton, Helene, and Debby represent the equal-most Sunshine State landfalls in a calendar year, joining 1871, 1886, 1964, 2004, and 2005.

Weather

Meteorologists are quelling fears amid concerns about another hurricane coming in after Milton. Officials say the potential storm was “ripped apart” by winds. We recommend keeping up with local meteorologists, news stations, and the National Hurricane Center for the most accurate updates. (Newsweek)

Community

GoFundMe launched a relief hub for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. There, you’ll find verified fundraisers for the families, businesses, and communities in need.

Quoted

“For perspective, it was at least a 1-in-500-year rainfall event, if not 1-in-1,000,” said Austen Flannery, a meteorologist with the Tampa Bay office. In downtown St. Pete, Albert Whitted saw 18.75 inches of rain. (Tampa Bay Times)

Number

105 mph. That was the fastest wind gust recorded in the Tampa Bay area during Milton. The measurement came at Egmont Channel near the entrance to Tampa Bay, with the Skyway Fishing Pier (103 mph), and Tampa International Airport (97 mph) not far behind. (Tampa Bay Times)

Opening

Speaking of Tampa International, the airport reopens at 8 a.m. today. Like millions across Florida, TPA is cleaning up.

Cause

Our community is ready to rise to this challenge. Follow Feeding Tampa Bay and Reach St. Pete for post-storm resources, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Weather

Over a dozen people were saved from a Tampa home after a tree fell onto the property. The incident happened on East Wood Street in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood, where police saved multiple children and escorted everyone to a nearby shelter during a break in storm intensity. (WFTS)

Civic

Officials are asking Tampa Bay residents to separate waste into its respective categories when clearing debris from yards and homes. These categories include vegetative waste, household items, and construction debris.

Health

Virtual healthcare provider Teladoc is offering free virtual services to those impacted by Milton, including families and first responders. Online therapy group BetterHelp did something similar for Helene, so keep your eyes peeled for another potential offer. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Sports

Tomorrow’s home opener for the Lightning against Carolina has been postponed due to Milton. The NHL hasn’t yet announced a makeup date.

Listen

But at least the Lightning play their first game of the 2024-2025 NHL season tonight. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

My heart is broken for those in our community who are suffering, and for our beautiful Sunshine State.

Before the storm, I was scared. And I’m still a bit daunted by the long road ahead, to be honest. But fear is no match for how proud I am to be a part of this community. We banded together to prepare, and we will band together as we rebuild. Let’s lean on each other and come together, using tragedy as the catalyst for a brighter future and a more tight-knit community.

Help your loved ones, reach out to friends, pick up debris with your neighbors, and offer kindness to strangers. We need the best of humanity more than ever before. If we do that, we will be back in no time.

I love you all.

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