REPORT: Florida braces for life-threatening impact of approaching hurricane

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From Fox Weather: Millions of people across the Florida Peninsula are on alert as Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico while it continues on a path toward the Sunshine State. The hurricane is expected to reach Category 4 status before bringing a potentially life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and torrential rain to the state this week.

“Milton is rapidly intensifying,” the National Hurricane Center wrote Sunday night. “Satellite images indicate very deep convection in the eyewall and hints of an eye starting to appear.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a news conference on Sunday morning and said evacuations are likely, and time is running out to prepare for the hurricane’s potentially deadly impacts.

The situation has been rapidly unfolding, with forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first designating the storm as Tropical Depression Fourteen early Saturday morning, then hours later issuing a special alert announcing the development of Tropical Storm Milton. About 24 hours later, Milton intensified into a hurricane early Sunday afternoon.

The oncoming hurricane is expected to sweep right across almost the entire state of Florida, and is likely to make landfall by Wednesday.

DeSantis announced on social media:

“Florida is preparing for significant impacts from Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on Florida’s west coast by mid-week. Impacts will be felt across the Florida peninsula, as Milton is forecasted to exit Florida’s east coast as a hurricane.

“Do not get wedded to the cone. Floridians should prepare now for potential impacts, even if you live outside of the forecast cone. We recommend following all evacuation orders from your local officials.”

Officials are scrambling to clean up debris from Hurricane Helene, before Milton arrives.

DeSantis also announced that members of the Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol are all working 24/7 to help with debris removal [from Hurricane Helene] in preparation for the oncoming Hurricane Milton.

DeSantis said over 800 guardsmen are currently deployed to remove debris left behind by Hurricane Helene, and up to 4,000 additional guardsmen will be joining in the effort.

NBC news anchor Kyla Galer shared a video and explained, “So much debris around Tampa! This is my sister’s neighborhood. I’ve been helping her clean up. Everyone flooded. Let’s hope the debris trucks can get it all cleared before #Milton hits but it’s a tall task. Hurricane recovery has now turned into hurricane PREP. This is wild.”

Shoppers were seen at Lowes in St. Petersburg stocking up on plywood, gas cans, water and other necessities.

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