For the second time in three weeks, the state of Florida is bracing for the impact of a major hurricane. And this time around, the destruction could be much, much worse.
With many areas still cleaning up the effects of Hurricane Helene, the more powerful Hurricane Milton is bearing down on the Sunshine State. Milton was upgraded to a Category 5 – the strongest possible classification – on Monday morning.
The impending landfall has caused Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to proactively declare a state of emergency in 51 of the state’s 67 counties, and officials are causing for the largest evacuation Florida has seen in seven years.
Additionally, 5,000 National Guard troops have been mobilized with another 3,000 expected to see deployment before the storm reaches land.
Currently, Milton is projected by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to make landfall near the Tampa metro area and pass over Fort Myers, Orlando and Sarasota – all major population centers.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday,” the NHC said in a release.
The Tampa International Airport announced it will suspend all flights as of Tuesday at 9 AM until after Milton has passed through.
A mandatory evacuation is already in effect for Anna Maria Island as of noon Monday with more evacuation orders expected to be announced as the day goes on.