A state of emergency grips Florida as residents scramble to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton's impending landfall.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a chilling warning to residents, stating bluntly that those who choose to stay "are going to die."
According to the Daily Mail Online, Hurricane Milton, with its unprecedented 180mph winds, is barreling towards Florida's Gulf Coast, prompting officials to issue stark warnings and order mass evacuations. The storm, described as potentially the worst in a century, threatens to bring catastrophic damage to the densely populated Tampa Bay area.
Hurricane Milton's intensity has alarmed meteorologists and officials alike. The storm's winds reached a staggering 180mph overnight, leading experts to briefly consider creating an unprecedented Category 6 designation. Although it has since been downgraded to a Category 4, Milton remains an extremely dangerous hurricane.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the potential for an 8 to 12-foot storm surge and widespread flooding in the Tampa metro area, home to over 3.3 million people.
Evacuation orders began at 10 am on Monday, triggering a mass exodus from Florida's west coast. Reports of gas shortages and heavy traffic on northbound highways paint a picture of urgency and growing anxiety among residents.
President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, mobilizing federal resources to assist with storm preparation and response. U.S. Representative Kathy Castor reported that 7,000 federal workers have been deployed in one of the largest mobilizations of federal personnel in history.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed reporters, emphasizing that Hurricane Milton's strength has far exceeded initial predictions from just two days ago. The rapid intensification of the storm has caught many off guard, adding to the challenges of evacuation and preparation.
Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor succinctly captured the gravity of the situation:
This is the real deal here with Milton. If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100 per cent of the time.
As the hurricane approaches, major transportation hubs are shutting down. Tampa International Airport announced it will cease operations at 9 am on Tuesday, while St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, located in a mandatory evacuation zone, will close after its last flight departs.
The closures extend beyond air travel. Waffle House, known for remaining open during disasters, has closed its Tampa and Fort Myers locations – a move widely recognized as a clear warning sign of the storm's severity.
Reports of fuel shortages are complicating evacuation efforts. Social media posts indicate that many gas stations are running out of fuel, potentially stranding those attempting to flee by car. This situation, combined with heavy traffic on evacuation routes, has left some residents feeling trapped and unable to leave.
Hurricane Milton, an unprecedented storm with winds of up to 180 mph, is threatening to be the worst storm in 100 years as it approaches Florida, prompting officials to issue stark evacuation warnings. The entire west coast of Florida is under a hurricane warning, with the Tampa metro area, home to over 3.3 million people, expected to face a direct hit. Evacuation efforts are in full swing, with residents scrambling for fuel and safe passage out of the storm's path as it is predicted to bring severe storm surges and flooding.
