Just two weeks after Hurricane Helene battered Florida's coast, another major storm—Category 5 Hurricane Milton—is barreling toward the Sunshine State, sparking mass evacuations and warnings of 'catastrophic' damage. 🌪️🔴
From Bad to Worse
Milton intensified rapidly Monday, packing winds of up to 233 km/h and threatening a storm surge as high as 4.6 meters in Tampa Bay. Forecasters warn it could slam Florida's west coast by Wednesday evening, weakening slightly to Category 3 before drenching cities like Tampa and Orlando overnight.
'Devastating to Catastrophic'
"Do *not* underestimate this storm," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents, emphasizing Milton's destructive potential. Emergency alerts flagged risks of structural collapses and "uninhabitable" zones for weeks. Gas stations saw hours-long lines as families rushed to evacuate.
Helene's Ghost
The looming disaster complicates recovery efforts after Helene, which killed over 230 people in the Southeast U.S. earlier this month. Officials fear Milton's surge could flood areas still reeling from debris and power outages.
What's Next?
Residents in six counties—including Pinellas and Hillsborough—received urgent evacuation orders. Authorities advise following emergency checklists and securing supplies ASAP. Stay tuned for live updates. 📲💡
