Hurricane Milton is barreling toward Florida, and it is the “11th hour”—or perhaps already past it—for people who want to evacuate.
Pastors who are in the storm’s projected pathway are posting updates about their situations and asking for prayer as the Category 4 hurricane approaches. A number are remaining in the area and preparing to serve their communities after Milton passes.
“As most of you know, I am in the bullseye of Hurricane Milton,” said Sam Rainer, lead pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida. “I am riding this one out along with several church members. West Bradenton has teams ready to help as soon as the storm passes. Some are trained in disaster relief. Others are first responders. And others are skilled tradesmen.”
On Monday, Oct. 7, Rainer posted a photo of himself and a father and son, saying, “We’re gonna take a hit with Hurricane Milton, but my church is stepping up. I’m proud to serve with such incredible people. This father and son duo was helping board up homes for widows who cannot evacuate.”
We’re gonna take a hit with Hurricane Milton, but my church is stepping up. I’m proud to serve with such incredible people. This father and son duo was helping board up homes for widows who cannot evacuate. pic.twitter.com/YJpmrmWXE7
— Sam Rainer (@SamRainer) October 7, 2024
Hurricane Milton Heads for Florida
Only two weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southeast, Hurricane Milton is projected to hit Southwest Florida, making landfall late Wednesday evening. Milton strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday but weakened to Category 4 status by Wednesday. It is expected to weaken more before making landfall but nevertheless still be a major hurricane when it arrives on land.
Milton already started impacting Southwest Florida Wednesday with rain, gusty winds, and tornadoes.
RELATED: The Devastation From Hurricane Helene Is ‘Overwhelming’ but So Is the Neighborly Love
Hurricane Milton is projected to go through Florida starting on the Central West Coast. Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, told USA Today, “We’re telling people not to focus on the exact center because as the system makes landfall, the eye is going to be getting larger, and the wind field is going to be expanding.”
“Even if you’re not directly in the path, the effects will be felt far and wide at the point of landfall,” he added. Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody has advised people who plan not to evacuate to write their names on their arms so that volunteers can identify their bodies later if needed.
Still image of Hurricane Milton off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on October 8, 2024 at 6:41Z as it takes aim at Florida. NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio – Global Science and Technology, Inc./Alex Kekesi, NASA/GSFC/Greg Shirah, NASA/GSFC/George Huffman, Telophase/Jacob Reed, SSAI/Stephen Lang, NASA/GSFC/Peter H. Jacobs, ADNET Systems, Inc./Laurence Schuler, ADNET Systems, Inc./Ian Jones, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}