Dire warnings urge Floridians to evacuate as Hurricane Milton lashes the state, threatening destruction.
Hurricane Milton unleashed its fury on the U.S. coast, targeting Florida with relentless rain, tornadoes, and fierce winds as it advanced on Wednesday. Officials stressed the urgency of evacuation, issuing a final plea to residents to leave or face dire consequences. The storm’s unpredictable path left the Tampa Bay area and regions south in a state of high alert, with tropical storm-force winds battering the coast by afternoon.
Urgency Rises as Milton Approaches
Cathie Perkins, Pinellas County’s emergency management director, warned residents of the imminent danger, likening Milton to a devastating punch after Hurricane Helene. She urged, “You need to get out, and you need to get out now.” By Wednesday afternoon, Milton reached Category 3, retaining its hurricane status as it plowed across Florida, threatening Orlando. Tampa Bay, a region not directly hit by a major hurricane in over a century, braced for impact.
Despite suggestions Milton might make landfall south of Tampa, Perkins insisted, “Everybody in Tampa Bay should assume we are going to be ground zero.” Meanwhile, communities still recovering from Helene’s destruction were on edge. To mitigate potential damage from debris tossed by Milton’s winds, municipalities raced to clear streets. Projections indicated a storm surge reaching 12 feet in Tampa Bay and up to 13 feet from Sarasota to Fort Myers. In West Bradenton, Mary Ann Fairman, 84, sought shelter after staying home during Helene. “The Gulf is practically in our backyard,” she stated, highlighting the storm’s proximity.
Preparations Amidst Chaos
As Pasco County prepared to suspend bus services, officials urged those needing shelter to act swiftly: “This is your last chance.” The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, along with other major bridges, closed, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Ken Graham of the National Weather Service emphasized the urgency, declaring, “The alarm bell is really going off.” Governor Ron DeSantis detailed the deployment of resources, including 9,000 National Guard members, utility workers, and highway patrol escorts for gasoline tankers.
Milton, positioned 150 miles southwest of Tampa, churned with winds of 130 mph as it moved northeast. Southern Florida faced deteriorating conditions with heavy rain and tornadoes. Catastrophic flooding loomed with expected rainfall of 6 to 12 inches, and up to 18 inches in certain areas. A tornado touched down in the Everglades, while another struck Fort Myers, causing havoc. Mandatory evacuations affected 15 counties, encompassing 7.2 million residents. With first responders unable to ensure rescues during the storm, those remaining were advised to fend for themselves.
Community Resilience and Response
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch prepared residents for prolonged power outages and potential sewer system shutdowns. He assured, “We have a long road ahead of us, but we will recover and rebuild.” In Charlotte Harbor, Josh Parks packed his car, recalling Helene’s 5-foot surge that left streets littered with debris. Airlines canceled about 1,900 flights, affecting major airports, while SeaWorld and theme parks like Walt Disney World closed operations.
Amidst the chaos, Linda and Bob Shaffer from Pennsylvania wandered the Universal resort before retreating to their condo with essentials. In Gulfport, Christian Burke and his mother stayed in their fortified home, designed by his father to withstand a Category 5 storm. Despite warnings, Burke believed in the house’s resilience. At Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, 1,700 people, including Trokon Nagbe and Morris Kulp, found refuge. “It’s not the Hilton or the Marriott,” Kulp remarked, “but it sure is appreciated.
