
How Oklahomans Can Help Hurricane Milton Victims in Florida
The long awaited Category 3 Hurricane Milton made landfall last night, October 9, 2024 in Siesta Key, Florida. Although we're not familiar with hurricanes in Oklahoma, we're all too familiar with the tornados that they were facing just before and during the hurricane's arrival.
@abc7la Video captured by Josh Huffmaster shows a tornado passing over I-95 in Fort Pierce, Florida amid Hurricane Milton. #hurricane #florida #milton ♬ original sound - ABC7LA
The flying debris and flattened land is all too familar to us here in the sooner state, but the flooded areas is something we're not used to.
@weatherchannel Overturned cars, dangling traffic lights and twisted metal littered the streets of Tampa, Bradenton and Venice, Florida, as Hurricane Milton tore across Florida’s Gulf Coast. #Milton #hurricane #Florida #FLwx #weather #weathertok #news #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound - The Weather Channel
What Happens Now?
It's safe to say that, now that the worst seems to be over, the hard part begins: clean up and damage assessment. After years of seeing damage of our own, folks in Oklahoma usually aren't slow to help when it's needed. Even though we're states away, there are ways to help those in Florida from right here in Oklahoma.
According to CBS News, there are a few plans already in place to help Florida. Not only are several organizations already set up in Florida to help with clean up, but the White House has already announced that FEMA will have 20 millions meals and 40 million liters of water ready for Floridians.
Lawton's Dispatched Firefighters in Florida
Lawton's own firefighters are currently set up in Florida working with a team from Kentucky and Alabama to begin clearing roads before the day breaks.
But what about Oklahomans who aren't in Florida like the firefighters? How can they help?
Help From Oklahoma
The Red Cross is collecting donations to assist folks affected by both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. You can also donate to the Volunteer Florida Disaster Relief Fund that is intended for "helping Floridians get back on their feet following the disaster."
@sparklesandsunshineblog Hurricane Milton relief - how to help! To hopefully help replace the many items that shelters will lose after #hurricanemilton I’ve created an Amazin Wishlist that has so many amazing deals from @Amazon prime day that will help the shelters so much! There’s incredible deals on dog and cat food, raised beds, cat litter, and so many more essentials! If you’re wondering how you can help those affected by hurricanes, here’s a way you can! Link is in my bio to support, thank you all SOOO much!!! #hurricanerelief #hurricane #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #rescuecat ♬ original sound - Sparklesandsunshine
Now that the hurricane has begun to move offshore, clean up should begin soon and hopefully there aren't more heartbreaking fatalities to add to the several folks already unfortunately claimed by the hurricane.
Oklahomans can check the Lawton Fire Department Facebook page for updates on their progress in Florida and stay up to date with national news if interested in Hurricane Milton's status.
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