Tue Oct 08 14:22:35 UTC 2024: ## Florida Braces for Hurricane Milton, Second Major Storm to Hit in Weeks
**Tampa, Florida – October 7, 2024** – Florida is preparing for another major hurricane, just weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged the state and neighboring areas, causing catastrophic damage and claiming at least 230 lives. Hurricane Milton, currently a Category 2 storm, is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday, potentially causing widespread disruption and flooding.
The state is urging an estimated 7 million people to evacuate, mirroring the massive evacuation effort during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Florida has learned from past experiences and is deploying emergency fuel and charging stations along evacuation routes to ease the burden on residents.
Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties, warning residents to prepare for power outages, flooding, and potential evacuations. He urged residents to have a week’s worth of food and water on hand and to be ready to evacuate if needed.
The St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay area is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage and 12 deaths. As Milton approaches, the region is bracing for another major hit, with officials in Tampa opening all city garages for free to residents hoping to protect their vehicles from flooding.
Meanwhile, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has defended her agency’s response to Hurricane Helene, addressing criticism from Republicans who have falsely claimed a slow response. Criswell stated that FEMA is already preparing for Milton and has mobilized a significant amount of resources to help with both storms.
The White House has pledged its support for residents as they rebuild from Hurricane Helene and prepare for Milton, stating that they will provide necessary resources and work closely with state and local officials. The coming days will be crucial for Florida as it faces another major hurricane, hoping to avoid another catastrophe like Hurricane Helene.
First Piper 