Milton, which currently is a Category 3 hurricane, is expected to make landfall tonight or early Thursday near Sarasota.
The local team of volunteers departed on its recovery mission around 2 p.m. today, S.O. spokeswoman Michele Nicholson said. The team will camp tonight in Suwanee County, in the Big Bend area, before heading south.
This will be the fourth hurricane-recovery deployment of OCSO deputies and civilians in the last two years. The last deployment was to Madison County, east of Tallahassee, after Category 4 Hurricane Helene made landfall on Sept 26.
Nicholson said the crew heading to Manatee and Sarasota counties is taking two S.O. boats with them because they expect their duties will include water rescues. The team could be working in those counties for up to two weeks, she said.
