CLAY COUNTY – Hurricane Milton passed Clay County late Wednesday, Oct. 9, and early Thursday, temporarily leaving 4,500 customers without power, leaving more debris from trees and threatening residents with high waters along the Black Creek and the St. Johns River.

The massive storm steered further south than initially forecasted, sparing northern Florida but creating a devasting path of destruction in Central Florida and the West and Space Coasts.

Milton landed as a Category 3 hurricane at Siesta Key at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and left the state near Melbourne as a Category 1 hurricane shortly after midnight. But for 12 hours before and 12 hours after the storm, Milton spawned a record 126 tornadoes in Central and South Florida, and strong winds continued along the shoreline, including gusts of 60 mph in Daytona Beach at noon on Thursday.

One stunning image of Milton’s wrath was the damage leveled at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The storm's winds ripped away the dome, which houses the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.

However, Clay County's concern was focused on Black Creek and the St. Johns River. Emergency Management officials were monitoring the North and South Prongs of the Black Creek and the St. Johns River since high tide was forecasted for 3 p.m. Thursday.

Officials worked ahead of possible flooding.

“We're going to go ahead and start getting some crews out there to do windshield and damage assessments to see what the county looks like,” Clay County Emergency Management Director Tim Devin said immediately after the storm. “I want to encourage you to either call in or put on our web any damage that you may have, down power lines, down trees damage to your home. Please let us know. That number to call is (877) 252-9362. Again, that phone number is (877) Clay EOC, and you can also put that on our web at alert.claycountygov.com.

“Our call center will remain open this morning, throughout the day, and into the evening. So, as we transition from shelters, we're going to start moving into host shelters, and we're still going to stay vigilant and prepared.

“Take into account that we're still going to see some of the weather throughout the day, and it should start subsiding about 6 to 7 o'clock this evening (Thursday). So on the north and south prong, please also let us know through our call center or the website if you're starting to see flood waters come up to our points that we normally watch.”

“We're transitioning also may response phase more into a damage and recovery phase. So also watch our messaging on social media and on our website as we start moving back into the debris management from Hurricane Helene. If you have any additional downed trees or down limbs. Please ensure you're putting that up with waste that the damage is set or the debris crews can pick that up in a timely fashion.”

There was minor flooding, especially at Spring Park, but nothing serious was reported.

Schools were closed on Wednesday and Thursday, and a record 76 people were sheltered at the county’s four locations.

A second-party disaster debris vendor will be picking up vegetative storm debris seven days a week until large limbs and branches are cleared from both Helene and Milton. Regular yard waste should be left curbside for collection by FCC Environmental Services (except in Green Cove Springs and Orange Park). Vegetative debris should be separated from yard waste and not against trees, electrical boxes, poles, hydrants or storm drains. If you have damaged wooden fencing, take it to Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Facility in Green Cove Springs or call FCC at (904) 490-9996 for a bulk pickup. Please do not put it in your trash, yard waste, or vegetative debris.

Citizen vegetative debris drop-off is also open at the Clay County Outdoor Adventure Park at 3829 Sgt. Bradley Crose Road in Middleburg. Residents can bring vegetative debris from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until further notice.