Sarasota County has issued mandatory evacuations for levels A, B, and C, which includes the barrier islands and downtown Sarasota. For those not evacuating, they’re doing what they can to stay safe and protect their homes. “We thought about leaving, may not make sense to leave now,” said resident Greg Volkov.

Communities along the Gulf Coast of Florida hard hit by Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago are bracing for a direct hit from another major hurricane. Hurricane Milton, reached Category 5 status Monday afternoon after rapid intensification,