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.
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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
Free Uber rides to Florida hurricane shelters
Florida authorities are providing free Uber rides to and from storm shelters for anyone within counties under evacuation orders.
The state's Division of Emergency Management said on Monday evening that that people meeting those criteria can now activate the offer by adding the promo called MILTONRELIEF within the Uber app.
Clearwater Fire & Rescue warns barrier island access will be shut down Tuesday
The Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department wrote on Facebook Monday that it access to the barrier islands, including Clearwater Beach, would be restricted to residents, business owners, employees who work on the beach, ride-share drivers and workers who are hauling debris.
On Tuesday at the same time, all access will be shut down.
“Take this time the next 24 hours to make your preparations. If you live in an evacuation zone, you need to evacuate,” the department said.
Milton forming a new eyewall, says expert
Boston TV meteorologist Eric Fisher says that Milton is in the process of expanding its eyewall to create a bigger eye, which would have both helpful and harmful effects for human beings in its path.
That process may cause Milton to lose intensity, Fisher explained, but also could increase the amount of storm surge flooding.
If you stay you will die, says Tampa mayor
The mayor of Tampa has issued a stark warning to residents, saying that if you remain in an evacuation zone "you will die".
That's according to Spectrum News producer John Park, and it's just one of many incredibly blunt assessments of Hurricane Milton we're now hearing from officials and experts.
"This is nothing short of astronomical. I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe to you the storm's small eye and intensity," said local weatherman Noah Bergren.
He said the eye of the hurricane was "tiny" at merely 3.8 miles wide, and that the storm was "nearing the mathematical limit of what Earth's atmosphere over this ocean water can produce".
Milton may be worst storm to hit Tampa area in over a century
Sarasota County will begin shutting off water services Tuesday morning
At 10 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Sarasota County Public Utilities will begin shutting off potable water services and lift stations for wastewater services to customers on Siesta Key and Casey Key.
“This precautionary measure protects the community’s infrastructure, which may be inundated by storm surge and high winds,” the county said on Facebook. “Sarasota County Public Utilities team members are prepared to deploy when conditions are safe and restore water services to those who are impacted. As a reminder, when potable water services return, these areas will be under a boil water notice.”
Time lapse shows lightning flashing within the hurricane
Here is stunning time lapse of lightning flashing within the swirling mass of Hurricane Milton, courtesy of Colorado State University’s CIRA weather research institute.
Harris says DeSantis is being ‘selfish’ after reports the governor is ignoring her calls ahead of Milton
“Playing political games at this moment … It’s utterly irresponsible and it is selfish and it is about political gamesmanship instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do,” Vice President Kamala Harris said, speaking from Joint Base Andrews.
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