As Hurricane Milton barrels toward the Gulf Coast of Florida, people are getting ready for what meteorologists say could be the worst storm in more than one hundred years. Terrible winds and storm surges are expected, so people are being told to evacuate, and officials are urging people to move right away.
Hurricane Milton has grown stronger and is now a Category 5 storm with winds of more than 157 mph. The National Hurricane Center says that homes will be destroyed and trees and power lines will fall.
In some places, the storm surge could be as high as 12 feet, which would be higher than the worst surge Tampa Bay has seen in almost 100 years.
The local government is sending out very serious warnings, stressing that staying in evacuation zones is dangerous and could kill people. “If you stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die,” said Jane Castor, the mayor of Tampa. Governor Ron DeSantis agreed with the need for action and pointed out that the damage from earlier storms had made things worse.
Thousands of people are running inland as part of the evacuation attempts. Highways are very busy, and people who live in areas that have been damaged by storms in the past are not taking any risks. Fort Myers Beach is mostly empty because it is still healing from Hurricane Ian’s 15-foot storm surge.
“Know Your Zone” is a new tool from the Florida Division of Emergency Management that makes it easier for people to leave their homes.
People can put their address to find out where they are in the evacuation zone and what routes are closest to them. Officials stress how important it is to leave quickly because staying behind could make it impossible to get help in an emergency.
People in the area are being told to take Hurricane Milton seriously and put safety first as it gets closer. The winds are expected to stay at 129 mph even after they weaken, so there is still a good chance that a lot of damage will happen. Floridians can lessen the storm’s effects by leaving quickly and staying informed.
For people in Hurricane Milton’s path, the next few days are very important. The state is getting ready for the worst, and people are being told to stay alert, follow evacuation orders, and find safety inland. The storm’s historic size means it needs to be dealt with right away, and Florida is not taking any risks.
People can protect themselves and their families with the “Know Your Zone” tool and safe escape routes. Florida stands together as Hurricane Milton approaches, ready to face the storm’s fury and rebuild after it’s over.
