As Hurricane Milton barreled toward Florida’s west coast Wednesday afternoon, the Red Sox’ southern outpost, JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, acted as a key staging area for relief and rescue efforts expected to be needed in the aftermath of the dangerous storm.

More than 300 electric and light commercial vehicles from around the country were lined up on the 20 acres in front of the complex where the club holds spring training games and has its minor league headquarters.

About 50 garbage and debris removal trucks and seven 18-wheelers filled with drinking water were also present, according to Shawn Smith, general manager of the Red Sox in Florida.

“We’re just continuing to pray for everyone’s safety and pray for minimal damage,” Smith said on the phone, as tornado warnings could be heard in the background. “There’s going to be a lot of people here that are going to be devastated, and we just hope that the good Lord minimizes that.”

While the Fort Myers/Lee County area lies just south of the “cone” where Milton was expected to make landfall later Wednesday, the region is expected to experience significant flooding due to the storm surge, wind damage and more more flooding inland.

Depending on the severity of the impact, JetBlue Park could become a staging area for FEMA and Coast Guard officials.

Relief efforts are being coordinated with Lee County.

In late September two years ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall just north of Fort Myers Beach as a Category 4 hurricane, creating a 15-foot storm surge that devastated Lee County beaches. That storm caused more than $100 billion in damage, along with 149 deaths, 72 of which were in Lee County.

JetBlue Park, about 15 miles inland, experienced minimal damage, with some padding on the outfield walls blown away. .

For Milton, the windbreaks in the park have been removed and all items that could be carried by the wind have been secured.

The 70 players who were at the complex for fall instruction were evacuated Monday; international players are now holed up in hotels along the state’s east coast, while the rest drove or flew out of harm’s way.

“We’re confident things will work out here,” Smith said.

Smith and his family live in Punta Gorda, near where Milton is expected to make landfall with a forecast storm surge of 11 feet. They have closed on their house, which is built about 3 meters above sea level.

“We’re hoping that when the storm passes, our house won’t be destroyed,” Smith said.

Hurricane Helene caused an 8-foot wave in Punta Gorda two weeks ago.

The Red Sox opened the ballpark in 2012

Michael Silverman can be reached at [email protected].