Mon Oct 07 00:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Hurricane Milton Prompts Evacuations and Preparation in Southwest Florida
**Sarasota, FL** – As Hurricane Milton intensifies in the Gulf of Mexico, authorities in Sarasota and Charlotte counties are urging residents to evacuate, particularly those in designated evacuation zones A and B. The storm, currently a category 5 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall on the west coast of Florida sometime Tuesday.
Panic buying and preparation were evident throughout the weekend, with gas stations experiencing shortages as residents filled their vehicles and gas cans. Sandbag stations were overwhelmed with residents eager to secure their properties. Images from the weekend showed residents in Englewood boarding up windows, and lines at sandbag stations stretching for blocks.
Traffic on Interstate 75 was reported as moderate on Monday morning, suggesting that some residents had already heeded the evacuation orders. However, with Milton expected to be a powerful and potentially historic storm, officials are urging everyone to take necessary precautions and follow any official evacuation orders.
AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter described Milton as having the potential to become “one of Florida’s most damaging and costly hurricanes.”
The situation remains fluid, and residents are advised to stay tuned for updates from local authorities and weather forecasts.
First Piper 