Iowa native prepares for Hurricane Milton

POLK COUNTY, Florida (KCRG) - As Hurricane Milton approaches, many Floridians are fleeing for safety while others are preparing for the worst. An Iowa native who lives near Tampa is preparing for the impending storm.

Chris Hammond, an Oelwein native, lives roughly an hour east of Tampa in Polk County, where there are currently no evacuation orders. Hammond says he and his wife are planning to ride out the storm and that he’s spent the past week planning and preparing for Milton’s arrival.

“This isn’t my first hurricane,” Hammond said. “I spent quite a few years in the military, so being prepared for national disasters and stuff like that was kind of common nature.”

He also says he’s learned to heed storm warnings after spending so much time in Iowa.

But he also knows some things are out of his control, especially after Hurricane Helene ravaged communities across the southeast just two weeks ago.

“You’re not quite too sure on how to really prepare for it,” Hammond said. “Hopefully we don’t lose power.”

He’s already prepared a generator and stocked up on food.

Hammond’s biggest piece of advice for people choosing to stay behind is to avoid the coast. Above all, listen to warning from emergency officials and meteorologists.