Water providers in Florida are preparing for Hurricane Milton’s landfall this week, with at least one city shutting off access to drinking water and plumbing altogether.
St. Pete Beach, Florida, is deactivating water lines starting tomorrow and “until further notice,” according to a notice posted Monday morning, as Milton was upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane.
The announcement comes as some communities in southern Appalachia and the Southeast are still struggling to repair drinking water systems damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
Shutting off waterlines will help safeguard the city’s water infrastructure as Milton approaches, according to Monday’s notice. St. Pete Beach residents are advised to prepare by storing water for drinking, cooking and sanitation and “making alternative arrangements for toilet facilities” as needed, the notice continued.