CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — For residents staying put during Hurricane Milton, many are making preparations around their home for the second time in two weeks.

What You Need To Know

  • A dose of hurricane déjà vu is sweeping homeowners in Tampa Bay

  • Hurricane Milton will be the second storm to hit the area in as many weeks
  • In Citrus County, homeowners could be seen at sandbagging sites on Monday filling bags and making preparations for the storm's expected landfall on Wednesday

As Hurricane Milton continues its path toward Florida, many residents in Citrus County are getting prepped, even while Hurricane Helene is still fresh on their minds.

“Here we are again, two weeks later,” resident Jonathan McMurrer said, noting the sense of déjà vu he was feeling.

“You would walk down here and it would literally be up to our chest," he said while walking in his backyard. "It was deep out here, that’s for sure.”

With that flooding still fresh in his mind, he has been working to shore up his property before Hurricane Milton hits.

“We weren’t prepared last storm," said McMurrer. "We thought we would be fine with all the sandbags and everything, and, like I said, Mother Nature had other plans — she decided to bring a lot of water with her.

"So this time, we’re going to try to get everything up — all of the cabinets and everything like that — we’re going to pick them up try to save as much as we can, because that’s all we can do right now.”

The sandbags McMurrer and his brother gathered in preparation for Hurricane Helene remain on guard at various places around his house. Inside his family’s home, walls have been stripped and the sound of fans can be heard helping dry out any remaining wet areas.

“Anything and everything that was on ground-level pretty much got ruined," McMurrer said. "We lost all cabinets, a couple of beds, all of our flooring we had to rip out. We lost our drywall, our insulation, a couple of cars, and her golf cart was lost.”

Despite the chaotic living space, and with another hurricane on its way, McMurrer said he and his family were remaining positive.

“It’s Mother Nature, that’s for sure," he said. "You’re at her beck and call.”

McMurrer said they have kept their sandbags from Helene, just in case for this storm. Sandbag sites — like the one at Bicentennial Park — will remain open for residents. 

For a full listing of sandbag sites, visit the Citrus County government website.