ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — City officials confirmed two fatalities from Hurricane Milton— one was a medical-related death, while the other victim was found in a park, but their cause of death remains unknown.
The City of St. Petersburg gave additional updates on the aftermath of Milton, including the restoration of water after having to shut off the water as the storm made landfall.
“The city is in the early stages of the recovery process,” Mayor Kenneth Welch said.
The storm brought 18 inches of rain and caused damage to water systems, infrastructure and power.
Mayor Welch is asking residents to remain inside so that crews can begin damage assessments.
Sanitation will not be assessed on Thursday and will come at a later date.
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County reminds residents under boil water notices to let the water boil for an additional minute once it reaches boiling point, to boil filtered water, and to use bottled water to wash fruits and vegetables.
At midnight, the city shut down potable water service following a water main break. Earlier on Wednesday, St. Pete shut down two major sewer treatment plants— The Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant at 1160 62nd Ave. NE and the Southwest Sewer Treatment Plant at 3800 54th Ave. S, in anticipation of the storm. Those have since been restored.