Hurricane Milton live updates: Evacuation time ‘coming to an end’ as Tampa faces ‘impending catastrophe’ from storm surge
Multiple confirmed tornados tore across southern Florida as ‘storm of the century’ nears sunshine state
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Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton have received a last-ditch emergency alert to “GET OUT NOW” ahead of the storm making landfall on Wednesday night.
While Milton’s intensity continues to fluctuate, and again weakening to a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center predicts it will be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida”.
The storm continues to grow in size and winds are expected to pick up on Florida’s west coast this afternoon, the NHC warned.
In Pinellas County’s latest emergency alert, officials pleaded with residents to “GET OUT NOW. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET OUT BEFORE THE STORM.”
Federal and state officials have urged those in Milton’s path to evacuate to avoid “catastrophic” winds, up to 18in rainfall and up to 15ft of storm surge, before the major hurricane slams into Florida’s west-central coast.
“This is the 11th hour. If you’re in an evacuation zone, the time to get out is now,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chard Chronister told CNN on Wednesday.
Vice President Kamala Harris warned that even the toughest Floridians won’t weather the “historic” hurricane, she said on The Late Show on Tuesday night.
Florida twice as likely to be hit by hurricanes like Helene thanks to climate crisis
Catastrophic hurricanes like Helene are 2.5 times more likely to occur now, a new study has found, just as Florida braces for yet another “historic” storm Milton.
Increased ocean temperatures due to the man-made climate crisis are known to supercharge hurricanes.
But the new study found that hurricanes as intense as Helene, which were once expected to occur every 130 years, are now likely to happen every 53 years – about 2.5 times more frequently.
Read Stuti Mishra’s full write up below.
Why Florida is now twice as likely to be hit by hurricanes like Helene
The high sea temperatures that fueled Hurricane Helene were made 200-500 times more likely by the climate crisis, scientists find
Moment Hurricane Hunters’ plane experiences terrifying turbulence flying through Hurricane Milton
Hurricane hunters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had a bumpy ride when they flew a plane into the massive Category 5 Hurricane Milton as it approached Florida’s western coast.
Video of the Tuesday flight showed NOAA researchers with the agency’s Commissioned Officers Corps holding onto the aircraft interior as the storm’s 155mph (249kph) winds buffetted the plane. Outside, only the wing of the plane was visible against the dark gray clouds of the storm.
The crew of the “Miss Piggy” was flying into the giant storm to collect data to improve forecasts and broaden their understanding of the storm.
Graig Graziosi has the story.
Video shows hurricane plane experiencing massive turbulence inside Hurricane Milton
NOAA flight missions can last between eight and 10 hours long
National Hurricane Center: ‘Now is the time to stay inside’
A 1pm ET update on Milton from the National Hurricane Center read: “Tropical-storm-force winds are just offshore and now is the time to stay inside and away from windows.
“Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.”
The NHC said another update would be sent out at 2pm ET.
Tampa authorities urge evacuating residents not to leave pets behind
Watch Live: Biden and Harris receive latest updates on Hurricane Milton
Biden slams Trump on leading ‘onslaught’ of lies and disinformation about Hurricane
Joe Biden has slammed Donald Trump for leading an “onslaught of lies” and promoting “disinformation” about recovery and aid ahead of the approaching Hurricane Milton.
“Over the last few weeks there has been a reckless, irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies that are disturbing people,” Biden said in a televised statement on Wednesday.
“It’s undermining confidence in the incredible rescue and recovery work that is being undertaken... it’s harmful for those who need help the most.”
He added: “There is simply no place for this to happen. For president Trump has led the onslaught of lies. Assertions have been made that property has been confiscated... that is simply not true... They’re saying money for this crisis is being diverted to migrants, what a ridiculous thing to say.”
Biden also mentioned Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and her bizarre claim that Democrats were “controlling the weather.” “It’s gotta stop,” he said. “In moments like this there are no red or blue states, there’s one United States of America.”
Nearly two-thirds of gas stations are empty in Tampa area as millions flee path of Hurricane Milton
Florida residents described a “mad dash to get gas” as millions have evacuated across the state before Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall later today.
Many who have left the area over the last few days were hit with heavy congestion and other travel headaches.
Read more here:
Nearly two-thirds of gas stations are empty in Tampa area ahead of Hurricane Milton
Floridians attempting to leave the area have been caught up in heavy congestion leaving via a small number of routes
Hurricane Mitlon’s path tracked from Wednesday’s landfall through to the weekend
Texas mayor suggests nuking Hurricane Milton: ‘It may save more than it hurts’
A Texas mayor suggested an unusual remedy to stop Hurricane Milton ahead of it making landfall: by nuking it.
Bobby Lindamood, the mayor of Colleyville, took to Facebook to share the bizarre idea with his network.
“For the amount of destruction the next hurricane is bringing, it’s time to throw a simi nu/ke bo//mb (minus the radiation) at this dude and see if we can stop the rotation. It may save more than it can hurt,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Just casting thoughts and ideas. This gonna be bad,” he wrote on Facebook.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, that won’t work.
Hurricanes generate far more energy than even the biggest nuclear bombs, the NOAA said. In fact, a fully developed hurricane releases energy equal to a 10-megaton bomb every 20 minutes. So, even a nuclear explosion would barely make a dent in the storm’s power.
Worse, the radioactive fallout could be carried by the winds, spreading contamination over a huge area.
Lindamood told The Independent that his insights were simply an “expression of deep concern” for those in Milton’s path.
“After seeing the mass destruction caused by the Helene hurricane, my heart goes out to all the people that may be impacted by one of the largest hurricanes in history,” he said.
“My post was simply an expression of deep concern for Florida and surrounding states who will be impacted. My comments were meant to convey a desire to use all available resources to protect American citizens not a literal suggestion.”
Giant tornado rips through Hendry County as residents urged to ‘SEEK SHELTER NOW’
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