WASHINGTON, D.C. – Parts of Florida are bracing for one of the biggest storms in a century. Millions of people have been urged to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton. The storm is set to hit Florida Wednesday night.
People fleeing the Tampa Bay area said trying to find an open gas station is few and far between. When you get lucky and find one with gas, there’s a line. Millions of people in parts of Florida have been urged to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton. Officials with the National Hurricane Center describe the storm as dangerous and powerful and it will bring multiple life-threatening hazards across Florida.
“Everywhere in this region is at risk for life threatening inundation from storm surge,” said Michael Brennan, director of the NHC. “We’re especially concerned about this area near Clearwater to Englewood through Sarasota where we are expecting 10 to 15 feet inundation above ground level some levels in this area which includes the Tampa Bay region.”
Along with the storm surge concerns, strong winds and heavy rains could cause widespread power outages, significant structural damages and deadly flooding.
“Flooding is going to occur in places it doesn’t normally happen,” said Brennan.
Debris is still lined up along roads in Florida following Hurricane Helene, which hit the state and some east coast states hard about a week ago. President Biden said he’s been working with Florida officials and is encouraging people to evacuate.
“I directed this team to do everything you can to save lives and our communities,” said Biden. “Help our communities before during and after these extreme weather events.”
The New York Times is reporting FEMA only nine percent of their personnel are available to deploy for this hurricane. Homeland security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is trying to reassure people that FEMA is able and ready for this storm.
