VDS: Hurricane Milton in the Rearview Mirror

By Tonya Mull

Co-Chair, VDS Emergency Operations Club

Nov. 1, 2024

On Oct. 9th, 2024, the monster storm Hurricane Milton plowed across Florida with nearly a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area in over a hundred years. It knocked out power to millions, caused widespread damage, and most unfortunately, led to several deaths.

So, from the lens of the VDS community in Wimauma, Florida -- what went well? Not so well? Plus, I will discuss some items of confusion as communicated to me.

For many in our VDS neighborhoods, this may have been your first hurricane.

It can be really scary--we know.  Being prepared was (and is!) crucial.

Several VDS residents who followed the guidance provided by the VDS Emergency Operations Club (EOC) contacted us to say “thank you.”

Our response: “you’re so welcome!”  Our goal at the EOC is to share important information that helps keep you safe and make the event easier on you.

What Went Well?

Many people teamed up with VDS neighbors and worked in groups…i.e., PODS (This is your disaster group) to put up shutters, move furniture inside, and secure the outside.

Some did this in actual PODs (as the EOC defines them; others did this “on the fly” as the need arose. 

Residents who had a disaster kit ready to go said they were much less stressed then they might have been. They followed the “Things To Do Now” guidance that we post on our website when a storm is approaching our area. 

The power outage had less impact on some then others. That’s because some in VDS now possess a generator—either portable or Whole House. And many homes now have permanent shutter solutions including Kevlar screens, accordion shutters, or roll down screens. Together and individually, these cautionary measures dramatically reduced the impact of Hurricane Milton on some residents.

Also, VDS residents did a great job of picking up/securing objects outside their homes that had the potential of becoming flying projectiles.

What Might Have Gone Better

There were two things we heard many times.

When the internet and cable went out early in the evening the hurricane hit, it was completely dark and eearily quiet in VDS neighborhoods. With no media reports available (and no cell phone service for some), residents couldn't tell the location and intensity of the storm.

This is one reason we recommend purchasing battery operated NOAA weather radios. They will broadcast exactly what’s going on and where it’s happening.  We recommend the Midland model. Please see the EOC Disaster Preparedness List on our website for recommendations by residents.

Still have questions? You can contact the EOC’s Disaster Committee leads: Kevin and Debbie McIntyre. E-mail them at: Mcintyrekb17@gmail.com. You can also comment and/or ask the EOC a question. Visit https://www.vdseoc.com.

Bottom Line: Have a Plan In Place! There WILL BE a next time!

The second thing we heard was that some residents didn’t have a plan to have their house shuttered. In the confusion, there were reports that some pressured others to put up their shutters for them.

We strongly discourage residents from doing this! While some wonderful neighbors pitched in and helped, a few have medical conditions, and should not have been installing shutters.

Ultimately, it is each VDS resident’s responsibility to secure their own homes. This includes snow birds who have homes in other locations. If you are not able to install your own shutters, there are resources available—but you MUST plan in advance!

Shutter Installation 

Please see the Shutter Resource List on our website. This list of businesses was recommended by VDS residents. Be sure to call BEFORE hurricane season and ask them to put you on their “call” list. You can always decline if you don’t need them for the storm.

If your VDS neighborhood already has a plan for shutter installation (like the Villas for example), please reach out to your area contact.

The Dangers of Sharing Power

We did hear reports of VDS residents sharing power with each other (via extension cords) from generators. While this sounds like a great—and very neighborly--idea, the reality is that it’s dangerous.

-Sharing power from a generator can electrocute you, utility workers, and neighbors. 

-If you own a generator and turn on too many appliances at once—and/or if you are sharing power with a neighbor, without knowing how MUCH power is available from the unit--you can overload and damage the generator. 

Bottom Line: homeowners with generators need to know exactly how much power is available from their unit first and foremost.  

To be safe, please see the generator information on our website Power surge requirements for many common appliances are listed along with a lot of other useful information.    

Damage Reports to VDS Homes

All in all, in the rearview mirror, VDS fared pertty well. Thus far, the damage reported to us from Hurricane Milton is as follows:

• a broken window from an unshuttered home

• an accordion screen that was not latched correctly.

• multiple screen damage on lanais; some reported the enclosure Itself was damaged

• solar panel damage on one home

• many trees down or damaged throughout the VDS community

Until next time!