Despite being in a mandatory evacuation zone for Hurricane Milton, Manatee County Jail in Florida will not be evacuating its 1,200 inmates. The jail, located in Zone A, one of the most at-risk areas, is expected to face severe storm surges and flooding as the hurricane makes landfall. However, officials have decided against evacuation, relying on past experience where the jail did not flood. Guards are also expected to remain on-site during the storm.
The decision comes despite stark warnings from local authorities. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor called the approaching weather “literally catastrophic,” urging residents in evacuation zones to leave immediately, warning that those who stay may not survive. Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that Milton’s storm surge is expected to surpass that of previous storms like Hurricane Helene.
The jail has reportedly stocked up on supplies and sandbags, and plans are in place to move inmates to higher floors if the facility floods. However, many are questioning the decision to keep the inmates in such a high-risk area, especially as experts predict Milton could leave unprecedented devastation in its wake.
