The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office in Florida announced that all inmates and staff were safe after Hurricane Milton hit the area on Wednesday night.
Despite the jail’s Zone A classification, which typically triggers mandatory evacuations, the facility remained operational. The hurricane, a Category 3 storm, made landfall in Siesta Key, approximately 36 miles from the jail.
According to Sheriff Warren, only a few inmates with special medical needs were moved to the second level of the facility as a precaution. This relocation took place on the day prior to the storm’s arrival.
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The sheriff also reported that emergency generators were in place to ensure power continuity throughout the storm. “Our drinking water and food supply remain uninterrupted, and services are operating as usual,” Warren stated.
However, legal expert Fathi raised concerns about choosing not to evacuate incarcerated individuals during severe weather. “Governments that opt against evacuation when lives are at risk are walking a fine line,” he commented. He emphasized that when someone is incarcerated, the state has certain obligations, including ensuring their safety.
Fathi reminded everyone that incarcerated individuals are part of the community, regardless of their legal status. “Whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence, they will return to our neighborhoods. It’s unjust to neglect their safety in life-threatening situations,” he noted.