BY C STONE | STONE NEWS NETWORK
Photos: AP
Florida has ordered a mandatory evacuation as the race against the storm's approach begins. It is expected to make landfall this Wednesday near 8PM EST as a Category 5 or higher storm, the first one to hit the area since the 1920's.
“This is the real deal here with Milton,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told a news conference. “If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that it was imperative for debris to be removed from the previous hurricane - Helene - to be cleared ahead of the next storm's arrival. This is to prevent dangerous projectiles from being flung around at over 200 MPH.
Storm forecasters show the following wind forecasts:
Here's how fast Milton has been strengthening all day Monday:
7 a.m., 120-mph winds.
8 a.m., 125-mph winds
9:05 a.m.: 150-mph winds
11 a.m.: 155-mph winds
12 p.m.: 160-mph winds
2 p.m.: 175-mph winds
5 p.m.: 180-mph winds
"Milton has the potential to become one of Florida's most damaging and costly hurricanes, bringing a variety of life-threatening dangers," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
"This includes an extreme storm surge of 10-15 feet along and near the coast, including in the Tampa Bay area, destructive winds and major flooding to one of the most densely populated areas of Florida, the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando.
"Milton may be a historic, once-in-a-lifetime storm for Floridians," said Porter.
Expect power outages, flooding, and dangerous conditions at sea as the storm approaches. Evacuate now while the going is easy - don't wait until the last minute!
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