Florida is on high alert as Hurricane Milton approaches the state’s west coast, bringing serious dangers for the second time in less than two weeks after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helen.

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Milton is “the worst” storm to hit the Tampa area in over 100 years, according to the NHC.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has urged residents in the area to prepare for a “wild” storm, emphasizing that it is the strongest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since 2005. “Let’s prepare for the worst and hope it weakens,” Mr. DeSantis stated.

Hurricane Milton in Florida #hurricane #hurricanemilton #florida #milton #tropicalstorm #Milton2024 pic.twitter.com/SULC2YAFhd

— Alistair Pallesen (@yzimng2) October 8, 2024

“I can say this without any intention of dramatization: if you choose to stay in one of the evacuation zones, you will die.”

Milton has now been upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane, with winds reaching 350 km/h, and is expected to hit the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday.

So far, at least nine counties have issued mandatory evacuation orders, and authorities are asking residents to comply with them without delay. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned strongly: “If you choose to stay in these evacuation areas, that decision could cost you your life.”

On Tuesday morning, the hurricane passed over the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, bringing strong winds and a threatening storm surge.

Hurricane Milton is now a 175 MPH Category 5 storm and tied as the 4th strongest Atlantic hurricane in history. pic.twitter.com/8us53F1OFJ

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) October 7, 2024

Meteorologists warn that the hurricane may strengthen further as it heads toward Florida, and its impacts could affect a large stretch of the state’s west coast. The Tampa Bay area, which is particularly vulnerable to flooding and storms, has not been directly hit by a hurricane in over a century.

Governor DeSantis warned that residents must finalize their evacuation plans as soon as possible, as there is no guarantee of the weather’s progression on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, traffic on the highways has surged as residents flee the area. Additionally, some theme parks in Florida, such as Disney World and Universal Orlando, remain open, while others have already announced temporary closures.

#EN6 | El Centro Nacional de Huracanes de Estados Unidos prevé que #Milton mantendrá su estatus de huracán mayor y aumentará su tamaño a medida que se aproxima a la costa oeste de Florida, EE. UU.

? Esta es la imagen más reciente de Milton captada por el satélite del NOAA. pic.twitter.com/Kz7aAF0BAb

— El Noticiero (@elnoticiero_6) October 8, 2024

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facing a severe staff shortage, as it has already been mobilized in various areas of the U.S. due to recent natural disasters. With less than 10% of its staff available, FEMA’s ability to respond effectively to the new challenges posed by Milton is in question.

The situation is critical, and Florida is being called to prepare for a potentially devastating storm.

Helen, which struck about 100 miles north of Tampa last month, caused historic storms, destroying hundreds of homes and killing over 12 people, many of whom were elderly individuals who did not evacuate their areas in time.

Large amounts of debris still remain on the streets and neighborhoods. Governor DeSantis ordered collection sites to stay open 24/7 to remove hazardous materials before Milton turns them into “projectiles.”

“We are facing a very serious problem with two major storms coming one after the other,” he stated.

Residents of the Tampa Bay area, who did not evacuate during Helen, are now making plans to leave.

In Pinellas County, 83-year-old Mike Tutko, who did not leave during Helen, emphasized that “all this debris on the roads will become projectiles with 120 mph winds.” This time, he plans to move to a safer area.

The situation is particularly difficult for elderly residents and those living in nursing homes. Dozens of ambulances are ready to assist in evacuating vulnerable groups, as Tampa has a large number of elderly residents, complicating evacuation procedures.

Tampa International Airport was packed with tourists trying to leave, as well as residents looking for rental cars to escape the city, as their vehicles were destroyed by Helen. Roads were blocked and traffic more than doubled.