CLEARWATER, Fla. – More than 500 residents were rescued from a flooded apartment complex in Clearwater today after Hurricane Milton caused severe flooding in the area.
Residents of The Standard, located at 2690 Drew St., began calling for help overnight as rising floodwaters trapped them in their homes. However, high winds from the hurricane initially prevented first responders from reaching the scene.
Read: Hurricane Milton: Over 500 Rescued By Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
As winds subsided near sunrise, Clearwater Police and Fire & Rescue were able to access the complex, finding many residents stranded in chest-deep and even neck-deep water. Some vehicles were completely submerged.
Recognizing the scale of the emergency, Clearwater first responders called for assistance from multiple agencies, including the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Using a variety of high-water vehicles, rescuers brought residents to safety, transporting many to local hurricane shelters. First responders conducted door-to-door searches to ensure no one was left behind.
In total, 449 adults and 116 children were rescued from 178 units within the complex. While a few residents were treated at the scene by medics, no significant injuries were reported.
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