Residents in Florida are making final preparations for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to bring life-threatening conditions to the Sunshine State. This includes filling sandbags, evacuating coastal areas, and stocking up on supplies. However, as the storm approaches, store shelves are becoming bare, leaving some residents concerned about the availability of essential items such as water and food.
Florida residents continued their preparations to safeguard their homes and hunker down or leave town as Hurricane Milton barreled toward the Sunshine State this week. Milton is expected to bring life-threatening conditions from Wednesday into Thursday.
As of 8 p.m. ET Tuesday, Milton had maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, making it a Category 5 hurricane. The storm is moving east-northeast between Mexico and Cuba.
Florida Residents Brace for Hurricane Milton's Wrath, Facing Shelves Emptied of Essentials
The latest forecast cone has Milton making landfall between Fort Myers and Tampa, Florida, sometime on Thursday morning. However, the hurricane is predicted to weaken to a Category 4 storm by that time, with winds down to about 125 mph.
Milton is expected to bring a deadly storm surge, destructive winds, and flooding rain, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters have warned of a possible 10- to 15-foot storm surge in Tampa Bay. This is the highest surge ever predicted for that location and has prompted evacuation orders for communities all along the coast.
Florida Residents Brace for Hurricane Milton's Wrath, Facing Shelves Emptied of Essentials
The storm could also bring widespread flooding, with 5 inches to a foot of rain forecast for the Florida peninsula. Some areas could see up to 18 inches of rain.
Eleven Florida counties are currently under mandatory evacuation orders. These counties are home to about 5.9 million people, according to county-level population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Florida Residents Brace for Hurricane Milton's Wrath, Facing Shelves Emptied of Essentials
Those under evacuation orders should follow the instructions of local officials and leave the area immediately.
On Saturday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 of the state's 67 counties. This declaration allows the state to mobilize resources and activate the National Guard to assist with storm response and recovery efforts.
Florida Residents Brace for Hurricane Milton's Wrath, Facing Shelves Emptied of Essentials
President Biden has also approved the state's pre-landfall emergency declaration request. This allows the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures.
As the storm approaches, residents are stocking up on essential supplies such as water, food, and batteries. This has led to long lines and empty shelves at some stores.
Residents are being urged to remain calm and only purchase what they need. They should also be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
Many residents are also filling sandbags to protect their homes from flooding. Sandbags can be used to block doorways and windows and to create barriers around homes.
Residents should fill sandbags about two-thirds full and tie the top securely. They should also place the sandbags in a location where they will not block access to the home.
It is important for residents to stay informed about the latest forecast and follow the instructions of local officials. This information can be found on local news stations, websites, and social media.
Residents should also have a plan in place in case they need to evacuate. This plan should include a designated evacuation route and a safe place to stay.
