Hurricane Milton intensified to a Category 4 as it heads toward Florida, prompting warnings of severe storm surges and potential evacuations across the state's west coast.
Mike Schneider and Haven Daley report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Hurricane Milton, with winds of 150 mph, threatens Florida’s Tampa Bay area, where landfall is expected on Wednesday.
- Officials warn of possible 8- to 12-foot storm surges and widespread flooding from heavy rains across the state.
- Florida is preparing for major evacuations, recalling lessons from Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Key quote:
“They’ve screwed around and haven’t picked the debris up, and now they’re scrambling to get it picked up. If this one does hit, it’s going to be flying missiles.”
— Sarah Steslicki, Belleair Beach resident
Why this matters:
With Florida already reeling from Hurricane Helene, another Category 4 storm could further devastate the region. Fast evacuation and preparation are crucial to avoid catastrophic damage and potential loss of life.
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