More than 5.5 million residents of the United States were forced to leave their homes on the west coast of Florida due to the approaching Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Milton’s threat to Florida’s densely populated Tampa Bay region has led to one of the largest evacuations in state history this week.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued states of emergency in 51 out of 67 counties. According to OPB “There’s going to be impacts far beyond wherever the eye of the storm is,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “You should be executing your plan now. If you’re going to get out, get out now. You have time today. Time will be running out very shortly if you wait any longer.”
The publication’s observers noted that after the authorities announced a mandatory evacuation on Monday, the 7th, the roads became 150% full, even though officials asked residents to go to the nearest shelters and not go far.
Earlier this week, forecasters warned that Hurricane Milton would emerge from the Gulf of Mexico and move east toward the Space Coast in the coming days. It could be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record in west-central Florida. Strong winds and heavy rains are forecast for the state’s east coast.
Earlier, on September 27, another hurricane, Helene, hit Florida. As a result of the natural disaster, more than 220 people died, and several hundred more are considered missing.