As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, millions of residents have been ordered to evacuate ahead of what could be one of the most destructive storms in recent history. With highways clogged and panic setting in, the race against time is now on.
As the towering Hurricane Milton continues its relentless approach, the state of Florida finds itself in the throes of a large-scale evacuation. In the early hours of Wednesday, highways across the state became jammed with fleeing residents, all trying to escape the impending storm.
With evacuation orders issued for 11 counties, including heavily populated areas like the Tampa Bay region, the urgency to leave has reached a fever pitch.
Evacuations Underway as Florida Braces for Impact
Many have heeded the warnings from officials, packing their belongings, boarding up their homes, and heading inland. The National Hurricane Center has described Milton as a dangerous storm, with sustained winds reaching up to 260 kilometers per hour.
Read : Hurricane Helene Hits Georgia After Lashing Florida Coast: Watch
Though the storm is predicted to weaken slightly before landfall, it will remain a powerful and catastrophic force. With a storm surge forecast of up to 4.5 meters in some areas, including Tampa, the potential for widespread devastation is very real.
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Despite these stark warnings, many residents have decided to stay, particularly those in areas that were already ravaged by Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago. For these individuals, the decision is not an easy one.
With homes already damaged and streets still littered with debris, some feel that leaving now would mean abandoning whatever remains of their lives. Others, like Scott Joiner, an accountant in Punta Gorda, have decided to stay put, convinced that their homes can withstand the worst.
⚠️Florida Evacuation Underway: Millions Exit, Jamming I-75 and I-275 Ahead of Hurricane Milton"#Milton #HurricanMilton #Florida https://t.co/PGvFVkEcb7 pic.twitter.com/1UEhgGyaA2
— Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) October 9, 2024
“Water is a blessing, but it is very deadly,” Joiner said, reflecting on the floods caused by Hurricane Helene. As for the approaching storm, he plans to “ride out Milton,” despite knowing the immense risk.
Highways Clogged as Time Runs Out
As millions of Floridians scramble to get out of harm’s way, the highways across the state have become scenes of chaos and congestion. The major routes leading away from the west coast, particularly those heading inland from Tampa and surrounding areas, are filled with vehicles inching along at a snail’s pace.
Families with their pets, valuables, and emergency supplies have packed up and joined the exodus. However, time is running out.
The Tampa Bay area, home to over 3.3 million people, has been placed under some of the most dire evacuation orders. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized that the storm surge expected for the city would be catastrophic, with waters potentially reaching the rooftops of some homes.
Castor’s grim warning serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of staying behind. Despite these orders, some residents continue to insist that they will remain in their homes and “tough it out.”
For those who have decided to leave, the experience has been nerve-wracking. As the storm approaches, fuel has become scarce, with long lines at gas stations stretching for blocks. In Riverview, just south of Tampa, drivers waited in their cars for hours, anxiously hoping to fill up before heading out of the area.
Some, like Martin Oakes of Apollo Beach, are preparing for the worst but still planning to stay. “We’ve got shutters up. The house is ready. So this is sort of the last piece of the puzzle,” Oakes said, echoing the sentiment of many residents who believe they are adequately prepared for Milton’s wrath.
Not everyone is taking the risk, however. On Anna Marie Island, located on the southern edge of Tampa Bay, Evan Purcell is packing up the last of his belongings. Helene had already caused thousands of dollars in damage to his home, and the thought of Milton potentially wiping out what’s left is too much for him to bear.
“I’m still in shock over the first one and here comes round two,” Purcell said, preparing to leave with his father’s ashes and his cat, McKenzie. Like many others, Purcell is haunted by the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene and fears the worst for his home as Hurricane Milton bears down.
Challenges in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
The devastation left by Hurricane Helene has only compounded the challenges for those now preparing for Hurricane Milton. Streets in Punta Gorda and other coastal towns are still lined with piles of debris, remnants of homes and businesses destroyed by the flooding from the previous storm.
The slow recovery process has left many areas vulnerable to further damage, and officials are scrambling to clear the wreckage before Milton arrives.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has mobilized more than 300 dump trucks in an attempt to remove as much debris as possible before the storm hits. “The fear is that flying debris will become lethal missiles during the hurricane,” DeSantis said, noting the urgency to clean up the area.
So far, over 1,300 loads of debris have been removed, but much work remains. In areas like Punta Gorda, which bore the brunt of Helene’s fury, the cleanup has been slow and frustrating.
Piles of ruined furniture, clothing, and appliances still sit outside damaged homes, and the streets are littered with waterlogged remnants of people’s lives. Residents are finding it difficult to comprehend that another major hurricane is now on their doorstep.
In Punta Gorda, Scott Joiner watched as his neighborhood dealt with the aftermath of Helene. His neighbor had to be rescued by canoe as floodwaters surged through their homes. Joiner, who lives in a New Orleans-style home, recalls the sight of bull sharks swimming through flooded streets.
Now, with Milton on the way, he is determined to stay, believing that his second-story residence will provide enough protection. Others, however, are not taking the same chance. For many, the trauma of Hurricane Helene is still fresh, and the prospect of facing yet another catastrophic storm is too much to bear.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come
The arrival of Hurricane Milton has sent shockwaves through a state already reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene. While some residents are taking the risk of staying behind, the overwhelming majority are hitting the highways in a desperate attempt to reach safety.
Officials have been clear: those who choose to stay will be on their own, as emergency responders will not be able to reach people during the height of the storm.
In the neighboring state of Yucatan, Mexico, Milton has already made its presence felt, though the damage there has been relatively minor. Authorities reported downed power lines, fallen trees, and some structural damage, but no fatalities have been recorded.
For Florida, however, the impact is expected to be far more severe. As Milton inches closer, forecasters remain uncertain of the storm’s precise track, but Tampa and surrounding communities appear to be squarely in its path.
For residents still on the road, the race to find shelter is becoming more desperate by the hour. Some are heading to central Florida, hoping to avoid the brunt of the storm, while others are traveling even further north in search of safety. \
But as the hours tick down, it’s clear that not everyone will be able to escape. Many residents, particularly in the hardest-hit areas from Helene, face an uncertain future as they prepare for another storm that could leave them with nothing.
The next 24 hours will be critical as Hurricane Milton prepares to make landfall. Florida is bracing for impact, and with millions evacuated and the highways filled to capacity, the state is in a race against time to avoid disaster.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏