Hurricane Milton live updates: Thousands flee Category 5 storm that could be ‘most destructive’ in Florida history
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state officials pleaded with residents to evacuate ahead of Wednesday’s projected landfall
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Milton restrengthened into a Category 5 hurricane late on Tuesday afternoon as it moved closer to western Florida.
Evacuations and other preparations should be completed today, the National Hurricane Center urged, warning that Milton could be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central 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 finalise 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 has sustained winds 165mph. It is expected to be “a dangerous major hurricane” when it makes landfall on the west coast of Florida on Wednesday night.
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Sarasota County Schools will be closed through the week
Sarasota County schools will be closed through the week.
“We will let you know – as soon as possible – about school reopening after Hurricane Milton has passed,” the district said Tuesday. “Our facilities team will need time to safely conduct countywide assessments on all of our sites to ensure our traditional public schools and offices are safe to welcome back students, teachers, and staff members.”
Disney World says its theme parks, entertainment complex will close Wednesday afternoon
In a reversal, Walt Disney World said mid-Tuesday afternoon that its theme parks would close in phases.
Hillsborough County tells residents to get to a safe place by 7 a.m. Wednesday
Heavy rain poses risk of extreme flooding, flash flooding to most of Florida
Heart-racing video shows hurricane plane experiencing massive turbulence going through Hurricane Milton
Hurricane hunters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had a bumpy ride when they flew a plane into the massive Category 5 Hurricane Milton as it approached Florida’s western coast.
Video of the Tuesday flight showed NOAA researchers with the agency’s Commissioned Officers Corps holding onto the aircraft interior as the storm’s 155mph (249kph) winds buffetted the plane. Outside, only the wing of the plane was visible against the dark gray clouds of the storm.
The crew of the “Miss Piggy” was flying into the giant storm to collect data to improve forecasts and broaden their understanding of the storm.
The Independent’s Graig Graziosi has the latest: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/video-hurricane-milton-airplane-turbulence-b2626073.html
Florida leaders receive briefing about Milton from Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno
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