Hurricane Milton live updates: Tampa mayor warns Category 4 storm could turn Florida houses into ‘coffins’
Hurricane Milton weakens to Category 4 but poses ‘even more danger’ as it continues to grow in size ahead of Wednesday’s projected landfall
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents Tuesday 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 Hurricane Milton races towards the state’s west coast.
Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of the Sunshine State almost two weeks ago, was a “wake-up call,” she said. Milton could be “literally catastrophic,” Castor added.
The potential “once in a lifetime” storm rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane on Monday with sustained winds surpassing 180mph, before slowing to Category 4 on Tuesday.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that Milton may regain strength and grow in size, posing “even more danger” as it is expected to make landfall in Florida by Wednesday evening, slamming into the densely populated Tampa Bay.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration on Monday after pledging “life-saving resources in advance of the storm,” the day prior.
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‘Looters, you’ve got another thing coming,’ DeSantis warns
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has warned he will “throw the book” at looters if they try and take advantage of those evacuating ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall on Wednesday evening.
“This is not going to be an opportunity for folks to take advantage of people,” DeSantis warned. “If you think this is an opportunity to loot, you’ve got another thing coming.”
He added: “Do not try and take advantage of people who are suffering because of the results of the storm. We will be very swift across all levels of government to throw the book at people.”
DeSantsis announces giant Category 5 hurricane-resistant shelters
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced four Category 5 hurricane-resistant shelters, some of which can hold up to 10,000 residents.
These are to be located in Polk County, Hillsborough County and Pasco County, DeSantis said.
The governor added while there are initially four of these larger, more robust shelters, more could be announced.
Round-the-clock debris removal missions ongoing
“Debris removal missions” continue, Ron DeSantis announced in a Tuesday morning news briefing.
The Florida Governor yesterday warned of the dangers of debris scattered across streets after Hurricane Helene tore through the state less than two weeks ago.
DeSantis said he is leading a 24/7 clean-up mission – including “prying open” and cutting locks of landfill sites that had closed after the he called for them to stay open.
More 1,200 truckloads of debris – 22,000 cubic yards – have been removed from hard-hit areas, according to DeSantis.
Meanwhile, 37,000 lineman are said to be either in or en route to Florida (some hailing from as far afield as California), ahead of potential blackouts.
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