Milton: The Unfolding Hurricane Crisis in Florida

Milton Upgraded to Category 5

The hurricane Milton is threatening Florida as it has been upgraded to Category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with winds reaching up to 270 km/h, announced the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Tuesday. Milton is expected to become a 'major and dangerous hurricane' when it makes landfall on Florida's west coast late Wednesday to Thursday night.

Evacuation Calls Intensify

In light of Milton's impending arrival, American authorities are ramping up evacuation directives. It could be 'the worst storm' to hit this peninsula 'in a century'. 'The entire Florida peninsula is under some form of watch or alert,' stated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday.

• Joe Biden remarked that Milton could be 'the worst storm in Florida in a century' during a meeting with advisers at the White House.
• Urgent Evacuations: 'You must evacuate now; it's a matter of life or death,' the President urged residents of the United States' third most populated state.
• Fuel Crisis: Reports indicate that nearly 17% of gas pumps in Florida are out of fuel as residents attempt to flee ahead of Hurricane Milton.

Traffic jams and long lines at gas stations were noted on Tuesday as authorities insisted that residents evacuate.

Preparation Efforts Intensify

According to the New York Times, approximately 5 million people reside in regions where these warnings have been issued, marking one of the largest evacuation efforts in the state’s history. Generators, food, water, and tarps are being distributed throughout Florida.

In Tampa, dozens of cars are queuing to collect sandbags in an attempt to protect their homes from anticipated flooding.