Hurricane Milton likely to hit Florida today, residents asked to evacuate

Hurricane Milton, now classified as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, is hurtling towards Florida's Gulf Coast, prompting emergency officials to order evacuations for over one million residents. With maximum sustained winds reaching 165 mph, Milton is anticipated to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday, targeting the densely populated Tampa Bay area still recovering from Hurricane Helene just weeks ago.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging residents to evacuate ahead of the storm. "If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you're going to die," she stated, highlighting the severe risks associated with Milton's potential impact.

Traffic has come to a standstill in many areas as residents scramble to flee, facing significant fuel shortages.

The Hurricane Center has warned that Milton's direct hit on the Tampa Bay region would be unprecedented since 1921, when the area was a fraction of its current size of over 3 million residents. The storm's rapid intensification into one of the strongest hurricanes on record has raised alarms, with officials stressing the importance of heeding evacuation orders.

Hurricane Milton has undergone rapid intensification, with wind speeds increasing by 80 knots in just 24 hours, according to the Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami.

This rate of intensification is among the fastest ever recorded, following only Hurricanes Wilma in 2005 and Felix in 2007. Satellite images and radar from Mexico show the storm's small, well-defined eye and powerful eyewall, underscoring its strength.

Residents are being urged to secure important documents, medications, and pets, and to seek shelter further inland as the storm approaches. With the threat of severe flooding, high winds, and flying debris, the upcoming hours are critical for those in Milton's path.