Hurricane shelters start filling as Milton approaches Florida

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — As Hurricane Milton continued its slow path toward Florida’s Gulf Coast on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis urged residents in evacuation zones to head to safer places as soon as possible.

He didn’t have to convince Jossie and Carmelo Erazo.

The Port Richey couple arrived at Pasco County’s River Ridge Middle/High School late Monday, taking up shelter for the first time since moving to the area three years ago. By 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, more than 700 people had registered for a 2.5-by-8-foot space of the school’s gym to ride out the storm.

That’s more than double the number of people who sheltered at the school during Hurricane Helene two weeks earlier.

Across Tampa Bay, shelters are fuller than they became during Helene, though none are at capacity yet. The Pasco County evacuation finder shows capacity at each locations, and all had hundreds of spaces still available Tuesday afternoon, including about 1,800 at both River Ridge and Fivay High School in Hudson. Both the Pinellas County and Hillsborough County shelter finders also showed space available.

The Erazos were like so many others who didn’t leave their home in an evacuation zone for Helene, despite entreaties from emergency officials who warned against complacency.

“Not for that one,” said Jossie Erazo, 64. “It was just a little rain, a little strong wind and that was it. But this is completely scary.”

They didn’t know exactly what to bring. They would need an air mattress, which they couldn’t find, and more blankets to confront the over-air conditioned gym.

“It’s freezing,” Jossie Erazo told shelter manager Toni Zetzsche, the high school’s principal.

When Zetzsche said the gym air conditioning had only two settings, off and on, the Erazos accepted it. At least they are safe, said Carmelo Erazo, 70.

Bill Rogers, 76, of New Port Richey could attest to that.

The disabled veteran was retreating to River Ridge for the fourth time in four years. He said he had just completed $20,000 in repairs to his home, which flooded during Helene, and he knew whatever happened to his belongings, he and his wife would be OK in the shelter.

“These people just do a wonderful, wonderful job,” Rogers said of the many students and staff volunteering at the site. “They’re super friendly. They make sure they feed us. They keep an eye on everything. They’re very well organized.”

He knew to bring extra bedding and blankets, and was prepared to stay as long as it takes.

“We’re just praying we have a home to go home to,” Rogers said.

Stacy Daigle, 29, who lives in Holiday, came to the shelter with her 6-year-old daughter Damari. It was their first time, too.

“Usually I hunker down,” Daigle said.

But Helene spooked the family, as it did many others.

Daigle said she would have liked to come to the shelter later. But she figured it might be better to arrive early, before traffic on the roads picked up again. Many roadways were at a standstill much of Monday as people began fleeing.

She also expected the shelters would get busier as the storm gets ever closer.

“The only thing worse than being in a shelter,” Daigle said, “is being declined from a shelter when you pull up too late.”

Counties will continue to update their shelter capacity online and share other details, including whether they accept special needs patients or are pet friendly. Shelters generally provide space and meals but little else. Free shuttles to shelters are running until 7 p.m. in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

The volunteers who helped carry residents’ bags, walk their dogs and otherwise offer assistance said they looked forward to serving as many people as they can.

“When help is needed, we’re here,” River Ridge senior Herbert Van Der Henst said, as he wheeled a bag-laden cart into the gym.

“It’s good to give back,” added Bayonet Point Middle music teacher Chris Greco, who monitored the pet area. “We need to work together at this time.”

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