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.

As Helene strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane, officials are advising residents to heed all evacuation orders.

Milton has rapidly strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a Category 5 storm Monday on a path toward Florida