Clearwater residents rescued from flooded apartment complex
The coastal community of Clearwater, Florida, near Tampa, saw flooding from Milton in areas that don't normally flood, Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector told ABC News Live.
"We’re lucky we didn’t get near the storm surge that was forecast. But we had such heavy, heavy rain and wind that it put folks … in jeopardy," he said.
Crews went door-to-door at one apartment complex to rescue stranded residents.
"We were really concerned that someone didn’t get noticed. … So far, I think we’ve been able to rescue everyone," Rector said.
The mayor is urging residents who evacuated to stay inside for their own safety and to keep roads clear for first responders.
"There’s no hurry to get back here," he said. "Your property is probably fine … but certainly it’s hazardous to get to and from wherever you’re at."
Clearwater mayor on Hurricane Milton aftermath
As the city assesses its needs, Rector said the residents of Clearwater need "prayers, more than anything, as we try to get families back into their homes who were already -- particularly on the barrier islands -- devastated by Helene."
"It’s going to be a very rough several weeks here, but I’m confident that we will pull together as a community," he said.
