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

Meteorologist fights back tears as he gives updates on ‘life threatening’ Hurricane Milton

Milton restrengthened into a Category 5 hurricane late Tuesday afternoon as it moved toward western Florida.

As of Tuesday evening, the massive storm was sustaining winds near 165 mph with higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center anticipates Milton to be “a dangerous major hurricane” when it’s expected to make landfall on Wednesday night on the west coast of Florida.

Governor Ron DeSantis warned Floridians 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 Milton races towards the state’s west coast.

Hurricane Helene, which recently devastated parts of the state, was a “wake-up call,” she said. Milton could be “literally catastrophic,” Castor added.

Milton will bring “life-threatening storm surge and winds” to parts of the Florida Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center predicted on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration on Monday after pledging “life-saving resources in advance of the storm,” the day prior.

Key Points

• Hurricane Milton downgraded to Category 4 but can regain strength
• Florida potentially faces most damaging hurricane yet
• Mapped: Charting Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads for Florida
• How ocean heat acted as 'rocket fuel' for Hurricane Milton
• Should I evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall?
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tells evacuees that time is ‘running out'

[8 October 2024 14:10 · James Liddell]

Storm surge warnings now in place for Florida’s east coast

[8 October 2024 14:05 · James Liddell]

Should I evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall?

Florida’s Division of Emergency Management has charted a map of evacuation zones across the Sunshine State.

Residents may be left wondering whether to leave their homes or stay put as Hurricane Milton barrels towards Tampa – which is due to make landfall on Wednesday evening. Evacuation orders have so far been issued to hundreds of thousands of Floridians.

“If you are in an evacuation zone that is ordered to evacuate by local authorities or in a flood zone, you should evacuate no matter what,” the agency advises on its website’s FAQ’s section.

The FDEM has collated a “Know Your Zone” list from local officials of areas and buildings that are most likely to be evacuated. Find out more, here.

[8 October 2024 13:44 · James Liddell]

Hurricane Milton could leave ‘indelible mark” on community

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrapped up his morning news conference by warning that Hurricane Milton could leave an “indelible mark” on the community.

“There are some hurricanes where it stinks we have to deal with it, but we pick up and move forward,” DeSantis said.

But looking at Minton’s wind speeds topping out at 180mph, the governor warns it may have a more long-lasting impact and “indelible mark” on communities it passes over.

“Let’s pray that it’s as weak as possible. But we are preparing for it to be as strong as possible,” he concluded.

[8 October 2024 13:28 · James Liddell]

‘Looters, you’ve got another thing coming,’ DeSantis warns

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has warned he will “throw the book” at looters if they try and take advantage of those evacuating ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall on Wednesday evening.

“This is not going to be an opportunity for folks to take advantage of people,” DeSantis warned. “If you think this is an opportunity to loot, you’ve got another thing coming.”

He added: “Do not try and take advantage of people who are suffering because of the results of the storm. We will be very swift across all levels of government to throw the book at people.”

[8 October 2024 13:14 · James Liddell]

DeSantsis announces giant Category 5 hurricane-resistant shelters

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced four Category 5 hurricane-resistant shelters, some of which can hold up to 10,000 residents.

These are to be located in Polk County, Hillsborough County and Pasco County, DeSantis said.

The governor added while there are initially four of these larger, more robust shelters, more could be announced.

[8 October 2024 13:10 · James Liddell]

Round-the-clock debris removal missions ongoing

“Debris removal missions” continue, Ron DeSantis announced in a Tuesday morning news briefing.

The Florida Governor yesterday warned of the dangers of debris scattered across streets after Hurricane Helene tore through the state less than two weeks ago.

DeSantis said he is leading a 24/7 clean-up mission – including “prying open” and cutting locks of landfill sites that had closed after the he called for them to stay open.

More 1,200 truckloads of debris – 22,000 cubic yards – have been removed from hard-hit areas, according to DeSantis.

Meanwhile, 37,000 lineman are said to be either in or en route to Florida (some hailing from as far afield as California), ahead of potential blackouts.

[8 October 2024 05:00 · Julia Musto]

Damage from Milton could cause more than $200bn

AccuWeather experts are warning that widespread damage from Hurricane Milton in Florida could cause upwards of $200 billion in total damage and economic loss.

“Milton is expected to bring catastrophic damage to Florida from potentially record storm surges along the Gulf Coast in the Tampa Bay region and areas to the south, including Fort Myers,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said in a statement.

“ We’re facing the threat of two weather disasters in the span of two weeks in the United States, each causing more than $200 billion in total damage and economic loss,” he said.