As Hurricane Milton is about to make an impact in the densely populated Tampa Bay region, Floridians are rushing to complete emergency preparations or relocate away from the area. The category five hurricane features winds of 165 mph, with gusts reaching 270 km/h, and is set to make landfall on Wednesday night. Two weeks ago, Hurricane Helene decimated the state, and now Hurricane Milton evacuation efforts in Florida are ongoing. President Joe Biden has called for an emergency evacuation, describing the choice as a matter of life and death. Additionally, he stressed the gravity of the situation by warning that this hurricane may be the worst for Florida in a hundred years. Out of fear, many have fled their homes.
While caught in traffic, ML Ferguson, another local, voiced her worries, stating that she had only recently started repairing her home following Helene’s destruction. She worried that Milton might be more devastating than Helene, stating, “After this storm hits, I will officially become homeless.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said many shelters were beyond evacuation zones to accommodate trapped people. The fuel scarcity at numerous South Florida gas stations caused long queues.
In the chaos of Hurricane Milton evacuation, DeSantis claimed trucks were delivering gas and workers were building electric car charging stations. On Monday, authorities lifted tolls on essential roads in central and western Florida as the evacuation orders took effect. Until the storm passes, flights cannot take off from the Tampa or Orlando airports. In the wake of Milton, meteorologists warn of 10-15 foot storm surges, high winds, flash floods, and torrential downpours. Biden has authorized approximately $140 million in government assistance for the counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Furthermore, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, cleanup efforts are still ongoing.
