One day before Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall in Florida, people in Putnam County are preparing for what's to come.
Some in flood zones are taking heed to the hurricane warnings and evacuating from their homes to stay safe. Putnam County opened five area shelters 6 p.m. Tuesday for residents to stay.
"The area that we’re in is a flood zone area and they said we probably should evacuate so we’re gonna take heed to that and luckily it’s close to home," said resident Mike Mull.
Mull along with his caregiver got settled with the other people who left their homes and are temporarily residing at Browning Pearce Elementary school for the next few days.
"So far, I feel very safe people are very friendly people and it looks like we’ll adapt to it very fine. We’ll get by," said Mull.
Principal Yolanda Brady, school staff and the Red Cross are making sure everyone has a comfortable stay.
"They come in, they have their ID, we swipe their ID through our process. They complete a form then after that, they are checked in," said Brady, "Then they will choose a cot if they need one and find a spot wherever they want to be."
"They do come and we are just blessed and thankful to offer a shelter for our community," she said.
Residents and families filed into the school. Some people who are homeless were brought in thanks to Marquise Brinson.
"I let them know the beginning of yesterday when I rode around, ‘Hey I’ll be back to bring you guys in’ and then we also made bags to keep them sustained for the next few days," said Marquise Brinson, Pastor of Holy Word Revival Church.
"We had a few come in so far. Some people want to stay so we just went where they were and fed them while they’re still out there," she said. "We’ll do a second sweep tomorrow before the storm really comes in, and get them to safety."
A selfless act during a serious time. "We’re doing what God told us to do," said Brinson.
As Putnam County is set to see the effects from Hurricane Milton, everyone is praying for the best.
"We hope and pray that our homes intact and everything’s fine, and even if some things are minor well get things taken care of," said Mull.
Staff at Browning Pearce Elementary tell First Coast News they expect this shelter to get full and more people to come Wednesday.
Putnam County
Opening Tuesday at 6 p.m.
- Ochwilla Elementary, pet friendly: 299 State Road 21, Hawthorne
- Kelley Smith Elementary, special needs: 141 Kelley Smith School Road, Palatka
- Jenkins Elementary: 251 County Road 315, Interlachen
- Browning-Pearce Elementary: 100 Bear Blvd., San Mateo
- Middleton-Burney Elementary: 1020 Huntington Road, Crescent City