Tue Oct 08 19:51:25 UTC 2024: ## Hurricane Milton: Florida Braces for One of the Most Destructive Storms on Record
**TAMPA, Fla. –** Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm with the potential to double in size, is barreling towards west-central Florida and could become one of the most destructive hurricanes on record. The National Hurricane Center issued a warning Tuesday, urging residents to prepare for damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall.
Milton underwent rapid intensification Monday, reaching sustained winds of 180 mph before weakening to a still-fierce Category 4 storm. Governor Ron DeSantis issued evacuation orders for over a million people in 16 counties, urging residents to seek higher ground and avoid coastal areas.
The storm’s path updates reveal that Milton is expected to turn towards the northeast and increase in speed, bringing widespread rainfall and potential flooding. DeSantis emphasized the importance of evacuating immediately, warning that time is running out.
The state is mobilizing an unprecedented response to Milton’s threat, with tens of thousands of linemen, 8,000 National Guard soldiers, and numerous trucks supplying fuel to affected areas.
Tragically, a small passenger plane carrying evacuees crashed into Tampa Bay Tuesday morning, with four passengers rescued by a boater and three hospitalized.
Experts are warning of potential reverse storm surge, where the hurricane could draw water out of Tampa Bay, exposing sand and debris. Areas already devastated by Hurricane Helene, which struck just two weeks ago, are bracing for even more damage.
President Joe Biden called Hurricane Milton a “matter of life and death,” urging those under evacuation orders to leave immediately. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed this message, urging Floridians to heed the advice of local officials.
With the storm expected to make landfall Wednesday, Florida faces a critical 48 hours of preparation. The state is deploying resources to address power outages, rescue operations, and provide shelter to those displaced.
While Hurricane Milton is expected to weaken and head out to sea by the end of the week, the threat of further storms remains, with Tropical Storm Leslie and two other weather disturbances being monitored for potential development.
Hurricane Milton’s impact extends beyond Florida, with airlines canceling hundreds of flights and emergency preparations underway in neighboring states. The storm is a stark reminder of the escalating threat of extreme weather events in a warming world.
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