MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Pinellas County deputies have been escorting dump trucks up and down the streets of Madeira Beach as they prepare for Hurricane Milton.
Crews said cleaning up the side of the roads is their main priority. Businesses and homes are cleaning up after Hurricane Helene ripped through their beach community.
“It was coming from here and there hitting together and going that way at 120 miles an hour,” Ben Lando with Cost Plus Marine said.
Now, more dark clouds are in places like Cost Plus Marine.
“I was very lucky because I lost my truck because the floor in this building is eight feet above sea level. So, we got about that much water. So, I was like I lost my truck, but I thought hey my store is going to be okay,” Lando said.
He’s not sure if he’ll get lucky again after Milton. Crews are cleaning up debris.
The Madeira Beach firefighters are preparing for another busy week. Madeira Beach Fire Chief Clint Belk said his team worked countless hours doing search and rescues.
“Our high-water vehicle was constantly dropping off 10 to 15 people at a time they would come back every 30 to 45 minutes with that many people if not sooner,” Chief Belk said.
Now, everyone is gearing up for round 2.
“I intended on working and staying here for at least another five or eight years because I enjoy what I do. It's just a shame I don't know what's going to happen,” Lando said.
As people prepare for Milton, Belk wants them to remember that when lithium batteries get wet they can start a fire. These batteries are used in things like power tools or even children’s toys.