PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — People living in Palatka spent Tuesday preparing their homes and businesses for Hurricane Milton. Sandbags were already in place outside businesses in downtown Palatka and people were boarding up windows.
Jose Prado and his daughter, Yasmine, started their preparations early.
"We have food and what we need, we have the generator…cars gassed up just in case," Prado said.
They have lived in their home in Palatka since 2019 and have dealt with storms before, but they are even more on edge for this one.
“Just the impact of the wind. Flooding, I know this house can handle it. Just my roof I’m worried about," Prado said.
They are also prepared for a flooded yard. Prado said his entire front yard was under water after a few days of rain in early September. They made sure to get extra sandbags to put around their doors for this storm.
"We had one inch up to the curb right there. That was the first time from so much rain, the ground couldn’t hold the rain," Prado said.
Across town, Lou Singleton finished up a busy day at This or That Cafe in Downtown Palatka.
"We’ve had probably half our customers today that have been out of towners, that have been passing through or staying here in Palatka for the storm," Singleton said.
Singleton plans to be open Wednesday, but they will start bringing in the patio furniture and tying down equipment. Her main concern is losing power and losing food.
"With three freezers and three refrigerators…that’s what scares me more," Singleton said.
The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency is recommending evacuations for Zones A and F, places prone to flooding along the St. Johns River. People can find their zones here. Five shelters are also open for people who need a place to stay. Those are located at Ochwilla Elementary, Kelley Smith Elementary, Jenkins Elementary, Browning Pearce Elementary, and Middleton Burney Elementary.
If residents have questions or concerns about Hurricane Milton, or need to report damage or downed power lines during the storm, they can call the EMA Call Center at (386)-329-1904.