Hurricane Milton is forecasted to impact Florida within the next 24 hours, placing millions of individuals in a situation that is described as “extremely life-threatening.” Time is of the essence for residents of Florida, who may still be finalizing storm preparations or relocating from vulnerable areas. This Category 5 storm is swiftly moving towards the Florida Peninsula, carrying strong winds and heavy rainfall with it.
According to National Hurricane Center specialist John Cangialosi, “Milton has the potential to be one of the most devastating hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.” The majority of Florida’s counties, with the exception of 16, are currently under a state of emergency. Many areas in the Southeast, including Florida, are still reeling from the severe impact of Hurricane Helene just a couple of weeks ago.
Florida residents are urged to adhere to mandatory evacuation orders as a matter of life and death. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die.”
Preparations for Hurricane Milton’s arrival include closures of businesses, stocking up on supplies, evacuations, and seeking shelter. Given the similarities with Hurricane Helene, flooding, fallen trees, and power outages are anticipated outcomes. Rescue efforts and sheltering are already in progress in various locations across Florida.
Efforts to mitigate damage and ensure safety continue as Hurricane Milton approaches, with individuals taking necessary precautions and bracing for the storm’s impact.
Not all models are created equal. The hurricane center relies on only the top four or five highest-performing models to assist in its forecasting efforts.
Hurricane Milton Livestream
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, John Bacon, Trevor Hughes, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Christopher Cann, and Michael Loria, USA TODAY
This story has been updated to correct a spelling error. The article was originally published on USA TODAY: Florida braces for Hurricane Milton as it approaches landfall. View photos.
