Florida is preparing for a direct hit from Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, marking the second hurricane to strike the state in less than two weeks. With evacuation orders issued for several counties, officials are issuing urgent warnings to those choosing to remain in affected areas.
Milton rapidly escalated to Category 5 status before being downgraded to a Category 4 storm. However, forecasters predict it may regain Category 5 strength and double in size before making landfall. With wind speeds reaching 180 miles per hour, Hurricane Milton is currently the strongest storm worldwide in 2024.
According to the National Hurricane Center, “Milton is still a relatively compact hurricane, but the wind field is expected to grow significantly as it approaches Florida.” They forecast that tropical storm-force winds will nearly double in size upon landfall, with winds exceeding 100 miles per hour and storm surges of 10 to 15 feet expected.
Among Florida’s five largest cities—Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg—four are in counties under evacuation orders, with only Jacksonville exempt. This has triggered the largest evacuation in the state since 2017, as densely populated areas prepare for Milton’s onslaught. Details of the evacuation orders are as follows:
- Charlotte County: Mandatory
- Citrus County: Mandatory
- Clay County: Information
- Collier County: Mandatory
- DeSoto County: Information
- Dixie County: Voluntary
- Glades County: Voluntary
- Hardee County: Information
- Hernando County: Mandatory
- Hillsborough County: Mandatory
- Lee County: Mandatory
- Levy County: Mandatory
- Manatee County: Mandatory
- Marion County: Information
- Miami-Dade County: Voluntary
- Okeechobee County: Voluntary
- Pasco County: Mandatory
- Pinellas County: Mandatory
- Putnam County: Information
- Sarasota County: Information
- Sumter County: Information
- Volusia County: Mandatory
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor delivered a grave warning to those in evacuation zones: “If you choose to stay in one of those areas, you’re going to die,” she stated on CNN. Castor noted that while Hurricane Helene served as a warning, Milton poses an even greater threat.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody echoed these warnings, urging those who choose to remain in danger zones to “write your name in permanent marker on your arm” for identification purposes.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, Florida is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has already claimed over 200 lives, including 20 in Florida. The state is working diligently to clean up debris from Helene while managing evacuation logistics. Gas stations statewide are running low on fuel, prompting efforts to replenish supplies. Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that fuel dispatches are underway.
In a proactive move, Uber Technologies has teamed up with the Florida Division of Emergency Management to provide free rides for residents evacuating to state-approved shelters. The state is also allowing residents to drive on road shoulders to ease congestion during this mass evacuation.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit Florida Division of Emergency Management.
