The Mayor of Tampa has issued a do-or-die warning as Milton is expected to bring serious destruction to the US state of Florida, reports Mahatir Pasha.
Florida is preparing for “life-threatening and catastrophic” flooding as Hurricane Milton approaches its coastline, just a week after Helene caused widespread destruction.
Officials are preparing for what could be the state’s largest evacuation in seven years.
Speaking to ITV News, the Mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor, had an extreme warning for those choosing to stay in evacuation areas.
She said: “I can say without any dramatisations whatsoever; if you choose to stay in one of these evacuation areas you’re gonna die.”
The US Weather Prediction Centre has increased the rainfall threat level for the state.
It warned that “widespread and numerous instances of flash flooding are expected with life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding probable”.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday in the western Florida region of Tampa Bay, bringing near-record winds and a massive storm surge.
Up to eight to 12 inches of rain is expected to fall on Tampa and Orlando through to Thursday.
For Orlando, this would equal about two months worth of rain and for Tampa, that would be more than five months’ worth of rain.
Forecasters also expect as much as 15 inches of rain in other places.
The heavy rainfall combined with a high storm surge could create a dangerous situation for residents.
A 2.4 to 2.6-metre storm surge is forecast in Tampa Bay, the highest ever predicted surge for the region.
The Weather Prediction Centre said: “At the time of high tide and the storm surge, the added water from the Gulf/Atlantic will effectively block effective drainage from the rainfall falling over the interior.
“The 6-12 inches (of rainfall) having nowhere to drain due to the high tide and storm surge flooding will also work to exacerbate the flooding impacts from Milton since that rainwater will have nowhere to drain.”
Hurricane Milton dipped down to category 4 strength overnight on Monday, but it is expected to rebound to a category 5 later on Tuesday.
Even though it is forecast to weaken before it makes landfall, it is likely to keep growing in size – meaning its disastrous impacts will be felt over a much larger area.
Floridians have either left their homes or are waiting in line at petrol stations as the storm approaches.
Florida Emergency Management director Kevin Guthrie said Monday that there will be “several hours” of congestion for those wanting to evacuate the state.
āThis is the real deal here with Milton,ā Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told a news conference. āIf you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time.ā
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, said on Monday that the state needed to clear debris from the recent hurricane Helene ahead of Milton’s arrival.
There’s a danger the debris could become projectiles due to the hurricane’s high winds.
At least 231 people were killed across six states when Helene tore across the southeastern US, including parts of Florida.
President Joe Biden has authorised an emergency declaration for Florida.
US representative Kathy Castor said that 7,000 federal workers were summoned to aid in one of the largest mobilisations of federal workers in history.
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