Florida is bracing for a direct hit from a monster storm

“I’ve never seen anything like Helene,” the mayor told NBC News. “And now storms keep coming. Milton, as you have heard, is simply a monster. And that’s why we’re doing what we can to prepare.”

But as the storm approaches and residents evacuate, Castor doesn't sugarcoat the prospect of not being able to clear much of the debris before Milton hits with gale-force winds and the possibility of more than a foot of rain.

“The household waste, the debris,” she said, “we’re working around the clock to pick it up. But we’ll probably run out of time.”

Castor said she has spoken with President Joe Biden, who has offered a range of government aid. She asked Biden for help with the debris, fearing that branches, wood and sharp objects could become weapons from hurricane-force winds when Milton makes landfall.

She praised the Biden administration's response so far, a response that includes the presence of pre-deployed Federal Emergency Management Administration officials as well as help from Gov. Ron DeSantis' offices and regional officials.

“Everyone is working to do what they can to prepare for a catastrophic storm,” Castor said.

She praised the technology demonstrated when an AquaFence FloodWall was erected around Tampa General Hospital during Helene's impacts last month. It “literally saved the facility from the devastating flood,” said the mayor.