Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s west coast after authorities ordered millions to evacuate for survival, AP News reported.
The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction. The National Hurricane Centre predicted Milton, a monstrous Category 5 hurricane, could weaken but remained a major storm when it made landfall late Wednesday night.
Milton was about 360 miles (580 kilometres) southwest of Tampa early Wednesday morning with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph). Forecasters predicted the storm would retain hurricane strength as it crossed central Florida on Thursday on its way east to the Atlantic Ocean.
Thousands of fleeing cars crowded Florida highways ahead of the storm, but time was running out for evacuations on Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that the storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 metres) would be deep enough to devour an entire house.
So, if you’re in it, basically that’s the coffin that you’re in.
Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders in 11 Florida counties with a total population of about 5.9 million people, according to the US Census Bureau. However, officials also warned that anyone who chose to stay should take care of themselves. Rescuers should not risk their lives trying to save people at the height of the storm, they added.
Many chose not to risk the aftermath of Helene and heeded evacuation orders.
Ahead of the hurricane, state and local officials began removing piles of debris left after Helene, fearing that the impending storm would turn the scattered debris into flying projectiles. Governor Ron DeSantis stated that more than 300 dump trucks were deployed in the state, removing 1,300 loads of debris.
