Tampa, United States - October 07, 2024

As Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 storm, charts its course toward the Tampa area, Hillsborough County is in a state of heightened alert. A video released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on October 7th captures the scene as residents rush to secure sandbags, a critical measure in the face of the impending storm.

The Sheriff's Office highlighted the availability of sandbags at various locations across the county until 7 p.m., urging residents to take advantage of the remaining hours to fortify their homes. "There is still time to pick up sandbags from locations across the county. teamHCSO is there to help you get what you need to protect your home," officials stated, pointing to sites like Larry Sanders Progress Village Sports Complex and E.G. Simmons Conservation Park among others.

With Milton expected to make landfall as a "dangerous major hurricane" late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, the urgency for preparation is palpable. The storm, following closely after Hurricane Helene, is poised to bring hurricane and tropical storm winds throughout Wednesday, with areas already experiencing tornadoes in Southwest Florida.