By Federico Trabucci
09 Oct 2024, 09:57 AM EDT
Hurricane Milton will arrive in Florida this Wednesday night. After having reached category 5 again on Tuesday night, its intensity was reduced to category 4 this morning.
President Joe Biden warned that it could be “the most devastating storm” to hit the state in a century.
Follow the latest news from Hurricane Milton live:
10:00
In Tampa they expect “general destruction”
The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million residents, was bracing for potential significant destruction, marking more than a century since a Category 3 or higher hurricane directly impacted the region.
The National Hurricane Center warned that, regardless of the variation in wind speed, the storm would represent a serious danger when its center makes landfall, expected on Wednesday night or in the early hours of Thursday.
09:59
What time will Hurricane Milton make landfall in Florida?
They estimate that the storm will reach the coast of west-central Florida on Wednesday night, around 11 PM local time.
09:58
More than 5 million people evacuated in Florida
Nearly 5.5 million people are under mandatory evacuation orders in multiple Florida counties due to the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton tonight.
This event has caused one of the most significant evacuations in the history of the state, according to information from the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA).
Thirty counties, including densely populated areas such as Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers, have issued these orders, and many residents have followed the instructions by evacuating their homes.
Additionally, the state has established shelters in schools and other safe facilities, including “mega shelters” that can house thousands of evacuees.
09:56
Maximum alert in Florida due to the arrival of Hurricane Milton
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has urged Florida residents to prepare for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton, emphasizing the need to follow evacuation orders from local authorities.
“The time to make the necessary preparations to safeguard lives and property is limited,” the NHC warned, underscoring the importance of having a plan in place before the hurricane’s effects intensify.