The southeastern U.S. is preparing for the potentially catastrophic impact of Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm set to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast late Wednesday or early Thursday. Winds have reached up to 180 mph, with storm surges forecasted to reach as high as 15 feet in areas like Tampa Bay. Officials are urging evacuations in low-lying regions before the life-threatening storm arrives.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that time is running out for residents to seek safety. This comes just weeks after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread destruction across the southeastern states and killed at least 225 people(
Milton’s rapid intensification caught many off guard, and forecasters warn of the extreme risks posed by this storm. As residents rush to secure supplies, shelves in many stores are empty, and evacuation orders have been issued across large portions of Florida(
With mandatory evacuations in place and a state of emergency declared for 51 counties, Milton could cause severe flooding and extensive damage similar to or worse than previous storms.
