First responders have been hard at work helping people and animals with Hurricane Milton slamming into Florida as a “major” Category 3 hurricane late on Wednesday.
Milton swept through the central part of the state, unleashing heavy rain, tornadoes, and storm surge. At least 10 deaths have been reported — and millions of customers lost power.
All the while, rescue efforts have been underway. Here are just a few, now that the hurricane has passed:
One striking video posted to social media showed what the U.S. Coast Guard said was a helicopter crew saving a man holding onto a cooler about 30 miles off Longboat Key.
#Breaking An @USCG Air Station Miami 65 helicopter crew rescued a man clinging to a cooler approximately 30 mi. off Longboat Key.
The man was taken to Tampa General Hospital for medical care.
Sector St. Pete lost communications w/ the man at approx. 6:45 p.m., Wed. #SAR pic.twitter.com/64wSHuRAeH
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) October 10, 2024
Coast Guard District 7, which shared the video, said the man was taken to Tampa General Hospital for medical care.
In a video posted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, a boat crew can be seen rescuing a 14-year-old boy clutching onto a fence in floodwaters.
Sheriff Chad Chronister and #teamHCSO‘s Marine Unit rescued a 14-year-old boy who was submerged in floodwaters and floating on debris following Hurricane Milton. pic.twitter.com/mOInO7ZM0j
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) October 10, 2024
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister told WFLA the boy stayed at a friend’s house after evacuating from the hurricane, and got stuck walking back home when it passed.
“It was literally out of a castaway movie, him laying on top of a fence, waving us,” Chronister said. “Out of breath, gasping for air as we pulled him up.”
Another video from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office showed the rescue of 135 residents from the Great American Assisted Living facility in Tampa.
#teamHCSO rescued over 135 residents from the Great American Assisted Living facility in Tampa. We’re thankful to be able to get all of these people to safety. pic.twitter.com/LGq2aOWh9q
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) October 10, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol shared a video on Wednesday of troopers saving a dog tied to a pole with water up to its waist along I-75.
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FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024
Responding to that post, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis thanked the Florida Highway Patrol and delivered a warning to anyone who brings harm to pets.
“It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm. FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable,” DeSantis said.
With a follow-up post, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shared an update along with a photo appearing to show the dog in good spirits.
Update: The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health. pic.twitter.com/cut1jv7cBe
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) October 9, 2024
“The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health,” it said.
