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Florida Braces for Powerful Hurricane Milton
Florida is on high alert as Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5 storm, approaches with an expected landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. The storm has caught experts off guard with its rapid intensification, coming just two weeks after Hurricane Helene left over 200 dead in the U.S. Florida residents are being urged to heed evacuation orders, with officials warning of severe damage from the storm.
President Biden Postpones International Trip to Manage Crisis
President Joe Biden has postponed his scheduled trips to Germany and Angola, choosing to stay in the U.S. to oversee hurricane preparations. He emphasized the potential devastation of Hurricane Milton, calling it one of the most dangerous storms to hit Florida in over 100 years. “I just don’t think I can be out of the country at this time,” Biden stated.
Governor DeSantis and Florida Officials Sound the Alarm
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in many coastal counties and urged residents to evacuate before it’s too late. “Now is the time to execute your [evacuation] plan … but that time is running out,” DeSantis said.
Similarly, parts of Georgia have also declared states of emergency as the storm threatens to spread its impact beyond Florida.
Residents Evacuate as Storm Surges Loom
With over one million people ordered to evacuate, streets across Florida’s west coast are eerily quiet, with homes and businesses boarded up in preparation. Cars are being parked on raised bridges to avoid flood damage, and debris from Hurricane Helene is being cleared to prevent dangerous projectiles as winds pick up.
Traffic jams have clogged roads, especially on Interstate 75, with people fleeing to safer areas like Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Meanwhile, airports in the region are shutting down, with over 2,000 flights already cancelled.
Warnings from Officials: Evacuate or Face Life-Threatening Danger
Officials have issued blunt warnings, with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor saying, “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die.” Emergency management experts have echoed these concerns, with Pasco County’s director saying this storm could bring destruction not seen in a lifetime.
Federal Aid Prepared for Post-Storm Recovery
The Biden administration has mobilized federal resources, establishing staging bases with food, water, and personnel ready to respond. White House officials confirmed that millions of meals and liters of water are being stockpiled in the region, and nearly 900 staff members have been deployed to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
Storm Intensifies to Category 5 as Landfall Nears
After briefly weakening, Hurricane Milton has regained its strength, with sustained winds exceeding 200 mph. Experts are warning of storm surges up to 12 feet, which could cause massive flooding in cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The storm’s rapid intensification has surprised scientists, who have called this hurricane season one of the most unusual in recent memory. There is growing concern that climate change is contributing to stronger and more frequent hurricanes, leading experts to consider introducing a new “Category 6” classification for future storms.
Florida’s Famous Theme Parks and Energy Infrastructure Shut Down
In anticipation of the storm, Florida’s theme parks, including Disney World and Universal Orlando, have closed. Energy companies have also begun shutting down pipelines and fuel terminals, preparing for the impact of Milton’s landfall.
As Florida braces for this historic storm, officials continue to urge residents to evacuate, reminding everyone that the risks are too high to ignore.