Hurricane Milton Intensifies: Florida Prepares for Major Evacuation

Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 3 storm on Monday, with sustained winds reaching 120 mph as it heads toward Florida. Expected to make landfall near Tampa and Orlando, Milton threatens to cause Florida’s largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Florida’s Gulf Coast is bracing for impact, just two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region, leaving behind catastrophic damage and a death toll of at least 230.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to prepare for significant impacts, advising evacuation for those on the west coast and barrier islands. The state has activated emergency fuel stations and shelters. DeSantis declared a state of emergency across 51 counties and warned of widespread power outages, urging residents to stockpile essential supplies for at least a week.

The Mexican government has also issued a hurricane warning for parts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Meanwhile, Tampa and St. Petersburg continue to recover from Hurricane Helene, which caused extensive storm surge damage and claimed 12 lives in the area.

The National Guard and state crews are mobilized to assist with debris removal and evacuation preparations. More than 4,000 National Guard troops are already in action, with Florida crews returning from North Carolina to aid with Milton’s aftermath.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell assured that the agency is prepared to handle Milton while continuing recovery efforts from Helene. Federal disaster aid has surpassed $137 million, with thousands of National Guardsmen, active-duty troops, and FEMA personnel deployed across affected areas. Despite political challenges, President Joe Biden emphasized that his administration is fully committed to supporting recovery efforts.