The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay has issued a stark warning: Hurricane Milton could surpass the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. With winds reaching up to 175 mph and forecasted storm surges of 15 feet, the situation is dire.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has urgently advised residents to evacuate, stating bluntly, “You are going to die if you don’t evacuate.” She emphasized that if Milton continues on its projected path, the consequences for the area will be catastrophic, with storm surges expected to be double those experienced during Helene.
Currently, six million people are in hurricane warning zones. A state of emergency has been declared for 51 of Florida’s 67 counties.