Hurricane Milton live updates: Thousands evacuate as Florida braces for monster Category 5 storm
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state officials pleaded with residents to evacuate ahead of Wednesday’s projected landfall
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Milton restrengthened into a Category 5 hurricane late Tuesday afternoon as it moved toward western Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis warned the state’s residents that “time is running out” for them to evacuate.
“You may have a window where it may be safe, but you may not,” he said. “So, use today as your day to finalize and execute the plan that is going to protect you and your family.”
His warning comes after Tampa mayor Jane Castor told CNN on Monday that residents will die if they don’t evacuate as Hurricane Milton races towards the state’s west coast.
Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of the Sunshine State almost two weeks ago, was a “wake-up call,” she said. Milton could be “literally catastrophic,” Castor added.
The potential “once in a lifetime” storm rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane on Monday with sustained winds surpassing 180mph, before slowing to Category 4 on Tuesday.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that Milton may regain strength and grow in size, posing “even more danger” as it is expected to make landfall in Florida by Wednesday evening, slamming into the densely populated Tampa Bay.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration on Monday after pledging “life-saving resources in advance of the storm,” the day prior.
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What to know about Hurricane Milton as it speeds toward Florida
Meteorologist breaks down live on air over Hurricane Milton
A veteran news meteorologist visibly broke down live on air over Hurricane Milton, as the monster Category 4 storm charts a potentially deadly path towards Florida.
John Morales was reporting on the hurricane on NBC affiliate WTVJ on Monday, breaking down the magnitude of the storm which has come off the back of Hurricane Helene just two weeks earlier.
Madeline Sherratt has the full story.
Florida meteorologist breaks down live on air while reporting on Hurricane Milton
‘I apologize – this is just horrific,’ NBC affiliate WTVJ’s John Morales choked
Florida college football game rescheduled for Saturday afternoon
The American Athletic Conference announced that a game between USF and Memphis at Raymond James Stadium has been pushed back from Friday to Saturday, due to Hurricane Milton.
Life-threatening storm surge forecast in Tampa Bay: Here’s what that looks like
Watch: Eye of deadly Hurricane Milton shown in satellite video
Watch: Eye of deadly Hurricane Milton shown in satellite video
The eye of deadly Hurricane Milton has been captured in a new satellite video The Category 5 hurricane has been captured in the Gulf of Mexico, heading towards Florida’s west coast in a video released by CIRA . The National Hurricane Center has warned that Milton may regain strength and grow in size, posing “even more danger” as it is expected to make landfall in Florida by Wednesday evening (9 October). Tampa mayor Jane Castor warned residents that if they choose to stay in an evacuation area, “ you’re gonna die”. Florida’s main holiday airport, Orlando International Airport, will halt commercial passenger flights from 8am ET on Wednesday.
Hundreds of flights delayed, canceled due to Milton
Hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed early Tuesday afternoon ahead of Hurrricane Milton.
Nearly 200 of those are at Tampa International Airport, according to tracker FlightAware.com.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport are halting operations.
Florida counties under evacuation order are home to nearly 6M residents
The 11 Florida counties under mandatory evacuation orders are home to about 5.9 million people, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Evacuation shuttles operate in these western Florida counties
Biden urges Floridians to ‘evacuate now, now, now’ as Category 4 Hurricane Milton approaches
President Joe Biden warned Florida residents to heed evacuation orders and avoid being trapped as Hurricane Milton approaches the state, calling the storm potentially the worst to hit the Sunshine State in more than 100 years.
“If you’re under evacuation or orders, you should evacuate now, now, now. You should have already evacuated. It’s a matter of life and death,” he said while addressing reporters in the White House after receiving a briefing on preparations for the storm.
The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg has the latest: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/biden-hurricane-milton-update-b2625931.html
Biden says Milton ‘could be one of the worst storms in 100 years’ to hit Florida
President Joe Biden told reporters Tuesday that Hurricane Milton could be “one of the worst storms in 100 years” to hit Florida.
The president postponed a trip to Germany and Angola this week because of the storm.
Biden said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has “gotten all that he needs” and has been cooperative.”
He said he told DeSantis, “You’re doing a great job” and “we thank you for it.”
With reporting from The Associated Press
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