Hurricane Milton Threatens Florida with Tornadoes and Evacuations Ahead of Landfall

Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s Gulf Coast, bringing tornadoes, heavy rain, and strong winds ahead of its expected landfall near Tampa Bay. Evacuation orders were issued for millions of people along the coastline, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior. Authorities issued dire warnings as the storm’s landfall drew closer, urging residents to evacuate to avoid life-threatening conditions.

The storm slightly weakened to a Category 4 but remained extremely dangerous with sustained winds of 145 mph. Milton was projected to maintain hurricane strength as it crossed the Florida peninsula, posing storm surge dangers on the Atlantic Coast as well. The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornadoes in South Florida, and bridges in Tampa Bay were closed in preparation for the storm.

Emergency preparations were underway, with FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell traveling to Florida to coordinate recovery efforts. Millions of resources and personnel were mobilized into the area, with trucks working to clear debris left by Hurricane Helene. Major Florida theme parks closed, airlines and energy firms prepared for disruptions, and mobile homes and healthcare facilities faced mandatory evacuations. Milton, the third-fastest intensifying storm on record in the Atlantic, highlighted the impact of climate change on storm intensification.

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