As Florida braces for the destructive force of Hurricane Milton, inmates in several counties are "assisting residents that are not capable of filling their own sandbags," the Lake County Sheriff's Office wrote in a Facebook post.  

In preparation for the now Category 4 storm, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office organized the inmate labor to support this flood prevention initiative, with prisoners working alongside local volunteers to expedite sandbag preparation. The county sandbag sites are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. "or until weather conditions become unsafe," the sheriff's office said.

Residents Are Grateful

Residents in the area responded with gratitude and praise for the inmates and sheriff’s office.

“Thank you for allowing these inmates to serve the community. They all are humans, have feelings and hopefully this will help them prove they have some worth. Just might turn someone around!” wrote one of the dozens who commented on Facebook.

Read Also: Hurricane Milton Descends On Florida: Analysts Warn Of Impact On Disney, NextEra’s Florida Power & Light, Regional Banks

Lots Of Prisoners To Help Out

In 2020, there were approximately 330,000 people under correctional supervision in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), Florida's 230 facilities include 87 jails and 143 correctional facilities. Inmates serving sentences for drug and cannabis-related crimes account for about 10,000 of Florida's total prisoner population (12.5%), according to the Florida Sheriffs Research Institute.

Statewide Inmates Being Moved To Safety

In addition to these efforts, Florida’s Department of Corrections has taken steps to ensure the safety of inmates across the state. Approximately 4,636 inmates have been evacuated from facilities located in Hurricane Milton's projected path. The measure is part of a broader statewide evacuation order, which has urged millions of Florida residents to seek shelter outside of high-risk zones.

Evacuations Window Narrows

Milton is forecast to make landfall overnight Wednesday somewhere on Florida's Central Gulf Coast, where it could be one of the most destructive storms on record. As of late morning on Wednesday, CNN reported that the location where the hurricane comes ashore could shift before landfall, which would alter where the most life-threatening storm surge occurs in the Tampa area. Winds are expected to cover the entire width of the Florida peninsula. 

Now Read:

• Hurricane Milton Dire Warning: ‘If You Choose To Stay … You're Going To Die,' Officials Encourage Writing Name On Arm In Permanent Marker For ID

Photo: Courtesy of Lake County Sheriff’s Office