Florida is bracing for Hurricane Milton, just weeks after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The powerful Category 5 storm is expected to have catastrophic effects, particularly on the west coast, with Tampa and nearby areas preparing for significant storm surges. Evacuation orders are in effect, prompting the largest mass relocation in seven years. Forecasters predict water levels could rise by up to 15 feet, with Tampa Bay facing record-breaking surges.
As stores close and highways become congested, residents in evacuation zones A and B are urged to leave immediately. Mayor Jane Castor warned that staying behind could be fatal. Milton, with winds of 160 mph, is currently about 160 miles west of the Dry Tortugas and is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane. A Storm Surge Warning is in place along Florida’s west coast, extending to Yankeetown, while Hurricane Warnings stretch into Georgia.
