Hurricane Milton is poised to hit the Tampa Bay area in Florida as it rapidly intensified from a Category 4 to a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to make landfall in Florida less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene battered the state. Several counties in Florida have issued mandatory evacuation orders ahead of Milton’s arrival, with additional counties under voluntary evacuation orders. President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, allowing FEMA to provide disaster relief funds and aid in storm response.
Evacuation orders have been issued in multiple Florida counties, with mandatory evacuations in place for Charlotte, Citrus, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Volusia as of Monday evening. Hernando County is set to begin mandatory evacuations on Tuesday morning. Voluntary evacuations are also in effect in Glades, Sarasota, and Okeechobee counties. Residents in the path of Hurricane Milton are urged to be prepared and protect themselves, as forecasts predict extremely dangerous storm surges of up to 12 feet in the Tampa Bay area.
President Joe Biden has authorized an emergency declaration for Florida in response to Hurricane Milton, allowing FEMA to provide support for disaster relief efforts. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced plans to travel to Florida to coordinate the federal emergency response and assist with preparations. Gas stations in Tampa and Fort Myers have reported shortages of fuel as residents brace for the storm’s impact, with Governor Ron DeSantis ensuring additional fuel is on its way. Forecasters have warned of the potential for Milton to maintain its strength as it moves across the state, causing major damage and posing risks to lives and property.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck the “Big Bend” region of Florida as a Category 4 storm, resulted in significant damage and loss of life across several states from Florida to North Carolina. Recovery efforts in the affected areas continue as Hurricane Milton approaches the state, prompting airports like Tampa International Airport to announce closures ahead of the storm’s landfall. FEMA has emphasized the importance of following evacuation orders and identifying safe locations to shelter during the storm to protect oneself and loved ones. Residents are urged to stay informed and prepared as Hurricane Milton threatens Florida with potentially deadly impacts.
