Hurricane Milton Aftermath: Coast Guard rescues man stranded in the ocean clinging to a cooler
With the U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA on high alert following back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Coast guard was called into service on Thursday – the day that Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida. The Coast Guard found and rescued the man clinging to a cooler on Thursday around 1:30 p.m. He was wearing a life jacket and found approximately 30 miles off Longboat Key following Hurricane Milton. The aircrew transported the man to Tampa General Hospital to get checked out.
Airplane and helicopter crews from Air Station Clearwater currently deployed to Aviation Training Center Mobile for storm avoidance, and Air Station Miami launched at approximately 5:30 a.m. to search for the missing captain.
On Monday, the captain of the fishing vessel Capt. Dave reported to the Coast Guard in St. Petersburg, that he and a crew member were disabled approximately 20 miles off John’s Pass. A Coast Guard Station rescue boat crew and an Air Station Clearwater rescue helicopter crew went scene. The aircrew hoisted the two people and brought them back to Air Station Clearwater in good condition. The vessel was left adrift and salvage arrangements were to be made.
But on Wednesday, around noon, the owner of the fishing vessel Capt. Dave reported to Coast Guard in St. Petersburg, that the captain went back out to the boat to make repairs at approximately 3 a.m. but never checked back in. Watchstanders were able to make radio contact with the captain who reported the rudder was fouled with a line and became disabled during his transit back to port.
The weather at the time was 6-8 foot seas, and approximately 30 mph winds but quickly deteriorating as Hurricane Milton approached. The captain was instructed by the Coast Guard to don a life jacket and stay with the vessel’s emergency position indicating radio beacon. Watchstanders lost communications at approximately 6:45 p.m, Wednesday evening.
“This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner,” said Lt. Cmdr. Dana Grady, Sector St. Petersburg’s command center chief. “To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75-90 mph winds, 20-25 foot seas, for an extended period of time to include overnight. He survived because of a life jacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon, and a cooler.”
Check out the daring rescue in the video clip below.
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Meanwhile, FEMA was already on the ground dealing with the aftermath of the previous Hurricane Helene and was able to quickly respond to the damage wrought by Milton. FEMA is not coordinating efforts across six U.S. States affected by the dual storms. On October 10, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was continuing to lead the federal government’s coordinated recovery across the Southeast U.S. in those six states affected by Hurricane Helene, while FEMA was simultaneously focusing on the3 agency’s response to Hurricane Milton.
With the agency assisting Florida to prepare prior to Hurricane Milton’s landfall, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was on the ground in Florida with local officials assessing the impacts of the storm. Commodities, volunteer agencies, response assets and federal personnel were all coordinated through the FEMA Region 4 Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta and the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C. Both facilities maintained 24-hour operations to support the state.
Resources and personnel have also remained in the states affected by Hurricane Helene to provide immediate long-term support. As these comprehensive recovery efforts continue, more than $344 million in federal disaster assistance has gone into the hands of Helene disaster survivors. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is in North Carolina met with state and local leaders on THursday, and members of the FEMA workforce supporting response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. These engagements follow his visit to North and South Carolina last week with President Biden.
President Joe Biden has approved federal disaster assistance in the six states affected by Helene. This opens up federal help for survivors in designated areas in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Survivors may apply for assistance in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or using the FEMA App.
Survivors may receive upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance in finding a temporary place to stay.
The photos below highlight response and recovery efforts across affected states impacted by Helene and the response to Milton.
Tallahassee, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) – FEMA Administrator is leading the federal response to Hurricane Milton at the Florida Division of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center. (Image credit: FEMA)
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Tallahassee, Florida – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks with Florida’s emergency management team at the Florida Division of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center.  (Image credit: FEMA)
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Asheville, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division distribute food and water to residents in Asheville, N.C., (Image credit: FEMA)
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Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2024) – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas visited the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Emergency Operations Center to help those affected by Hurricane Helene. (Image credit: FEMA)
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Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) – FEMA Urban Search and Rescue is prepared and ready to respond to Hurricane Milton. (Image credit: FEMA)
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Orlando, Fla – Power restoration trucks and other equipment are pre-staging ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall. (Image credit: FEMA)
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Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – FEMA Deputy Administrator Hooks visits the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center to provide support to those affected by Hurricane Helene. (Image credit: FEMA)
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Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith visits FEMA Corps members supporting Hurricane Helene response and recovery. (Image credit: FEMA)
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Greenville, S.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks visits Greenville’s Emergency Operations Center to meet with the leadership to discuss the stabilization progress for the County. Deputy Hooks met with Greenville County Emergency Management’ Director Jessica Stumpf, Deputy Director Pierce Womack, Greenville City Fire Chief Brian Horton, Division Chief David Hindman, South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson, alongside FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer, Brett Howard. (Image credit: FEMA)
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Newport, Tenn. (Oct. 7, 2024) – Volunteers open large distribution points for Hurricane Helene survivors to receive food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, pet food, diapers and emotional support at Crossroads Community Church in Newport, Tenn. (Image credit: FEMA)
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FEMA’s Disaster Multimedia Toolkit page provides graphics, social media copy and sample text in multiple languages. In addition, FEMA has set up a rumor control web page to reduce confusion about its role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response.
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(Sources: U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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