Mass Exodus Underway In Florida From Hurricane Milton

10/08/2024 PMSwithESP Climate Change 0

Dangerous Hurricane Milton grew more dangerous at near-record speed Monday, as it bears down on Florida’s west coast. Landfall is expected Wednesday night, predicted to make landfall near Tampa Bay, affecting densely populated areas including Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers. 

With a forecasted storm surge of 10 to 15 feet of water, Milton could become the worst hurricane Tampa Bay has seen in over 100 years.

A mass evacuation underway could be the largest in Florida since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Florida is allowing Emergency Shoulder Use for eastbound I-4 and northbound I-75.

Florida is also opening massive shelters “of last resort,” able to accommodate thousands who find themselves stranded.

Currently a Category 4 hurricane, Milton is expected to rebound to a Category 5 later today. Even though it is forecast to weaken before it makes landfall, it will double in size — meaning its disastrous impacts will be felt over a much larger area.

Vice President Harris responds to Gov. DeSantis’s refusal to take her call.

Several Florida Republicans voted against a stopgap spending bill that recently replenished the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund. 

Updates at CNN and WaPo

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