Hurricane Milton live updates: Thousands evacuate as Florida braces for monster Category 5 storm
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 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.
Florida counties under evacuation order are home to nearly 6M residents
The 11 Florida counties under mandatory evacuation orders are home to about 5.9 million people, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Evacuation shuttles operate in these western Florida counties
Biden urges Floridians to ‘evacuate now, now, now’ as Category 4 Hurricane Milton approaches
President Joe Biden warned Florida residents to heed evacuation orders and avoid being trapped as Hurricane Milton approaches the state, calling the storm potentially the worst to hit the Sunshine State in more than 100 years.
“If you’re under evacuation or orders, you should evacuate now, now, now. You should have already evacuated. It’s a matter of life and death,” he said while addressing reporters in the White House after receiving a briefing on preparations for the storm.
The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg has the latest: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/biden-hurricane-milton-update-b2625931.html
Biden says Milton ‘could be one of the worst storms in 100 years’ to hit Florida
President Joe Biden told reporters Tuesday that Hurricane Milton could be “one of the worst storms in 100 years” to hit Florida.
The president postponed a trip to Germany and Angola this week because of the storm.
Biden said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has “gotten all that he needs” and has been cooperative.”
He said he told DeSantis, “You’re doing a great job” and “we thank you for it.”
With reporting from The Associated Press
What is it like being in a Category 5 hurricane?
A Category 5 hurricane like Milton is catastrophic for those in its path. But it’s hard to understand what it’s like inside until it hits.
The storm’s strength is measured by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which ranks hurricanes based on the sustained wind speed of the storm. A Category 5 decimates homes, leaving areas uninhabitable for weeks or months after it passes. Coming with maximum sustained winds of 157mph or higher, it tears roofs apart, shatters glass, and collapses walls, trees and power poles.
The Independents US Science and Climate Correspondent Julia Musto has the full story.
Hurricane Milton: What is a Category 5 hurricane and what is it like?
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring unsurvivable storm surge up to 15ft to parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast by Wednesday
Monica Medina hits at Project 2025 plans for weather services: Trump plan is ‘as dangerous as these storms themselves'
Monica Medina, the State Department’s former assistant secretary for ocean, environment, and science, took a swipe at Project 2025’s call for the break up of weather and climate service amid a busy Atlantic hurricane season.
“The Trump plan is as dangerous as these storms themselves ... If we dismantle [the National Weather Service] we lose this one vital link to keeping ourselves safe,” she told “Morning Joe” on Tuesday.
What is happening at Tampa airport?
Tampa International Airport is the first major hub to be hit by Hurricane Milton.
Operations will be suspended from 9am ET today, with many flights to TPA canceled on Monday evening, with one Spirit Airlines flight from Chicago getting as far as the taxiway prior to take off before being called back.
All outbound flights from 9am local time have been canceled, though several flights due to take off in the following hour have been pre-poned (brought forward) to allow them to depart.
“TPA plans to resume services as soon as it is safe to do so later this week, but passengers should check with their airlines regarding flight schedules,” the airport said.
Milton to bring life-threatening flash flooding, major river flooding
Vice President Harris on Milton, DeSantis response: ‘This one is gonna be different’
“This one is gonna be different, and that’s why I called the governor about what Florida has received in terms of impact,” Vice President Kamala Harris told “The View” on Tuesday morning.
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