Hurricane Milton has intensified into a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (193 kph) over the southern Gulf of Mexico. The storm is on track to impact heavily populated areas in Florida, including Tampa and Orlando.
Authorities have issued storm surge and hurricane watches for parts of Florida, along with a hurricane warning for the Mexican coast. The National Hurricane Center in Miami is closely monitoring Milton's path.
Forecast models indicate that Milton could make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday, potentially maintaining hurricane status as it moves across central Florida towards the Atlantic Ocean. This trajectory is expected to spare other southeastern states that were recently affected by Hurricane Helene.
The Mexican government has also issued a hurricane warning for the Yucatan Peninsula in anticipation of Milton's impact.
Florida is preparing for what could be its largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Emergency management officials are implementing lessons learned from past storms to ensure a coordinated response. Evacuation routes are being equipped with emergency fuel and charging stations for electric vehicles.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the need for residents to prepare for the storm's arrival. He expanded the state of emergency declaration to 51 counties and urged people to stock up on essentials and be ready for potential power outages.
As Milton becomes the third simultaneous hurricane in the Atlantic, emergency response teams are mobilizing resources to address the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and prepare for Milton's impact. FEMA has already provided significant disaster assistance and is gearing up for further support.
President Joe Biden reassured affected communities of ongoing federal support and collaboration with local and state leaders to facilitate recovery efforts.
Despite challenges posed by misinformation and political rhetoric, emergency agencies are focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in the face of natural disasters.
