Milton restrengthened into a Category 5 hurricane late Tuesday afternoon as it moved toward western Florida.
As of Tuesday evening, the massive storm was sustaining winds near 165 mph with higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center anticipates Milton to be “a dangerous major hurricane” when it’s expected to make landfall on Wednesday night on the west coast of Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis warned Floridians that “time is running out” for them to evacuate.
“You may have a window where it may be safe, but you may not,” he said. “So, use today as your day to finalize and execute the plan that is going to protect you and your family.”
His warning comes after Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told CNN on Monday that residents will die if they don’t evacuate as Milton races towards the state’s west coast.
Hurricane Helene, which recently devastated parts of the state, was a “wake-up call,” she said. Milton could be “literally catastrophic,” Castor added.
Milton will bring “life-threatening storm surge and winds” to parts of the Florida Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center predicted on Tuesday.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration on Monday after pledging “life-saving resources in advance of the storm,” the day prior.
The latest update on Milton shows hurricane could bring ‘life-threatening storm surge and wins’
Kelly Rissman9 October 2024 01:30
Last-minute evacuees jam Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley, a portion of the southwestern Interstate 75, is backed up as residents race to evacuate the areas.
Julia Musto9 October 2024 00:30
Space station captures Milton’s eye as it flies more than 250 miles above Earth
Julia Musto9 October 2024 00:00
How the Tampa zoo is protecting 1,000 animals from Hurricane Milton
Workers are racing to protect more than 1,000 animals that live in Tampa’s zoo as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s western coast.
“The zoo has a comprehensive severe weather plan in place to ensure the safety of our animals and team members and will take all precautions as conditions warrant,” it said in a social media post on Monday.
Julia Musto8 October 2024 23:30