CLEARWATER, Fla. — First responders rescued more than 500 people from a flooded apartment complex Thursday morning in Clearwater following Hurricane Milton.
Residents at The Standard apartment complex on Drew Street were found chest-deep and neck-deep in rising waters from Hurricane Milton, Clearwater Police and Fire Rescue crews shared on Facebook.
Calls reportedly came in overnight as Hurricane Milton raged through Florida, but first responders weren't able to act due to the storm's high winds. Once the storm subsided, police and fire crews were able to venture out to the apartment complex.
They arrived to find more than 500 people trapped in their homes from rising flood waters and called in other agencies for help, including the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, FWC, the Bay County Sheriff's Office and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
"Crews used a variety of high-water vehicles to access the residents and bring them to safety," police said in a news release. "Many were taken to local shelters provided for evacuees from the hurricane."
No significant injuries were reported during the rescue. Overall, 449 adults and 116 children from 178 different units were rescued from the flooded complex.
"If you were evacuated from The Standard apartment complex this morning because of high water, do not wait around for re-entry. It is not safe," Clearwater firefighters shared on Facebook. "The apartment complex will let you know when it’s safe to return and we will also share that information on social media."
