Hurricane Milton live updates: Tampa braces for strongest storm in century as Category 4 hurricane barrels toward Florida
Hurricane Milton weakens to Category 4 but poses ‘even more danger’ as it continues to grow in size ahead of Wednesday’s projected landfall
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents Tuesday 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.
Thousands of UK tourists face Florida disruption as Hurricane Milton poses ‘extremely serious threat’
Mapped: Charting Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads for Florida
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Florida braces for Hurricane Milton as communities recover from Helene and 2022's Ian
What to know about Hurricane Milton as it speeds toward Florida
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.
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.
Fuel supplies lessen, but ‘no shortage,’ DeSantis claims
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged that fuel supplies were less than the quantity he announced yesterday, but declared that there is “no fuel shortage”.
Florida currently holds 286,000 gallons of diesel and 110,000 gallons of gasoline, the governor said during a news conference on Tuesday morning. An additional 1.2m gallons of both are on route to Florida, DeSantis announced.
“There is no fuel shortage; fuel continues to arrive,” he asserted before admitting: “Gas stations are running out quicker than they otherwise would.”
DeSantis also said there will likely be “significant damage to the port of Tampa”.
DeSantis warns Milton could strengthen back to Category 5 hurricanes
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gave his latest update on Hurricane Milton as it charts its path towards the Sunshine State.
“It is no longer a Category 5, but it could potentially strengthen back to that,” DeSantis warned on Tuesday morning.
“Even if it does weaken, you’re still looking at a major hurricane – it’s going to have really significant impacts.”
He added: “Basically, the entire Peninsular portion of Florida is under some kind of watch or warning.”
Trump slams Harris for not visiting hurricane hit North Carolina - while she is there
Donald Trump hit out at Kamala Harris for not visiting hurricane hit North Carolina - while the vice president was there.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said: “They are offering $750 for the worst hurricane ever, but she shouldn’t be there.
“She should be in North Carolina, it is so bad.”
The Fox News reporter replies: “She was there today I believe, for three hours.”
Watch:
Trump slams Harris for not visiting hurricane hit North Carolina - while she is there
Donald Trump hit out at Kamala Harris for not visiting hurricane hit North Carolina - while the vice president was there. Harris announced $750 support for Americans hit by deadly Hurricane Helene earlier this month. The hurricane caused devastation through Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia after making landfall on 26 September. The death toll has now surpassed 200 and losses attributable to the storm may exceed $30 billion. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said: “They are offering $750 for the worst hurricane ever, but she shouldn’t be there. “She should be in North Carolina, it is so bad.” The Fox News reporter replies: “She was there today I believe, for three hours.”
Tracking Milton: Map shows probable path of hurricane
What is happening at Orlando’s airports?
Florida’s main holiday airport, Orlando International Airport, will halt commercial passenger flights from 8am ET on Wednesday.
“The airport, in collaboration with federal and airline partners, agreed to cease commercial operations to prevent aircraft from operating under unsafe weather conditions for landings and take-offs,” MCO said in a statement.
The airport said its hunkering down with storm preparations as Hurricane Milton races towards Florida’s west coast, which is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night.
“Hurricane preparations throughout the facility, including sandbagging doors and tying down all boarding bridges, are being finalized,” it added.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport will close to commercial flight operations at 2pm on Wednesday and will reopen at 9am on Friday.
Mapped: Charting Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads for Florida
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida’s Gulf coast on Wednesday bringing devastating winds, life-threatening storm surge and flash floods to communities already battered by Hurricane Helene.
Milton rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane on Monday with sustained winds surpassing a brutal 180mph, before slowing to Category 4 on Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center announced. James Liddell is tracking Milton as it heads towards the Sunshine State.
Mapped: Charting Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads for Florida
Floridians are preparing for a second ‘extremely powerful’ hurricane to slam into its west coast in as many weeks after Helene made landfall last month
Floridians to brace for up to 18in rainfall and 15ft storm surge
The National Hurricane Center has warned of up to 18in of localized rainfall and 15ft of storm surge in certain regions of Florida.
Northern portions of the Florida Peninsula are set to see localized amounts of rainfall reaching 18in, the NHC announced in its latest public advisory. The Keys are due to be doused in up to 4in through to thursday.
“This rainfall brings the risk of life-threatening flash, urban and aerial flooding along with moderate to major river flooding,” the Center said.
Both Tampa Bay and the Anclote River through to Englewood could see between 10ft to 15ft of storm surge – causing “normally dry areas” to become flooded.
Milton to remain ‘extremely dangerous’ hurricane upon landfall – despite initial weakening
Milton is expected to make landfall as an “extremely dangerous hurricane” through landfall, despite it weakening from a Category 5 to a Category 4 hurricane.
Hurricane Milton is anticipated to slam into Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday night near the already storm-torn Tampa Bay region, the National Hurricane Center said.
It currently sees sustained winds of 155mph – falling from 180mph-plus on Monday evening. Milton is situated about 560 miles from Tampa.
“While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida,” the NHC said in its latest public advisory.
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