Monster Hurricane Milton is heading for Florida with forecasters warning it is “extremely dangerous” and poses life-threatening risks.
Hundreds of thousands of people are preparing to evacuate their homes in the state as the category-four storm tracks towards the US.
The eastern US is still reeling from Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago, which killed more than 200 people.
Now residents and businesses are about to be struck once again as Milton makes it way towards Florida.
The US National Hurricane Center downgraded it from a category five to a four on the Saffir-Simpson scale early on Tuesday, but it is still expected to arrive with winds of 155mph (250kph), and may strengthen to a category 5 during Tuesday.
Issuing a warning on Tuesday morning, the center said Milton was “forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it reaches Florida Wednesday night. This is a very serious threat and residents in Florida are urged to listen to local officials.”
What is Hurricane Milton’s path?
Hurricane Milton is currently crossing the Gulf of Mexico eastwards and is just north of the Yucatan Peninsula, home to the colonial-era city of Merida with a population 1.2 million, several Maya ruins and the port of Progreso.
It is being fed by warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, and has become the third-fastest-intensifying storm on record in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the Hurricane Center.
The path from west to east is unusual, as Gulf hurricanes typically form in the Caribbean Sea and make landfall after traveling west and turning north, according to experts.
It is expected to make landfall in Florida, somewhere between Tampa Bay and Naples, as a major category 3 hurricane on Wednesday, and then cross eastwards towards Daytona Beach and out into the Sargasso Sea.
Counties along the western coast of Florida ordered people in low-lying areas to take shelter on higher ground. Pinellas County, which includes St Petersburg, said it had ordered the evacuation of more than 500,000 people.
Lee County said 416,000 people live in its mandatory evacuation zones. At least six other coastal counties have ordered evacuations, including Hillsborough which covers the city of Tampa.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned residents on Monday: “I can say without any dramatisation whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has urged those in the hurricane’s path to heed the warnings of local officials.
He said: “Evacuations are under way, and we have suspended tolls and opened roadway shoulders to make it easier for Floridians to get to safety. The State of Florida continues to fulfill requests from communities in the potential path of Hurricane Milton as we prepare for landfall.
“Hundreds of first responders will be embedded in potential impact sites along Florida’s west coast to begin search and rescue operations as soon as the storm passes.”
Joe Biden has cancelled a White House ceremony in the Rose Garden – to mark the centenary of diplomatic relations between Ireland the United States – as it coincides with the arrival of Milton.
How dangerous is Hurricane Milton?
The US National Hurricane Center has warned hurricane force winds and a life-threatening storm surge with destructive waves will hit the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
A large area of destructive storm surge is also expected to hit the west coast of Florida, up to 8 to 12 feet above ground level in Tampa Bay area. Residents are urged to evacuate.
Forecasters say “devastating hurricane-force winds” are expected along the west coast of the state and crossing over the state. Local people have been advised to make preparations to protect life and property.
Up to 10 inches of heavy rainfall of are forecast to hit Florida with flash flooding, major river flooding and coastal flooding expected.
How is Florida preparing for Hurricane Milton?
Thousands of people have been heading away from the coast to safety after evaucation orders were issued.
A steady stream of vehicles could be seen heading north toward the Florida Panhandle on Interstate 75, while traffic clogged the southbound lanes of the highway for miles as others made for the relative safety of Fort Lauderdale and Miami on the other side of the state.
Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), said : “We are preparing for the largest evacuation that we have seen, most likely since 2017, Hurricane Irma.”
Anyone needing to get to a state-approved shelter can take an Uber for free, according to the FDEM.
Lifeguards on the peninsula which forms Tampa Bay removed beach chairs and other items which could take flight in strong winds.
Those planning to stay and wait out the storm could be seen panic-buying in supermarkets and boarding up shops and homes before it hits.
Keepers at Zoo Tampa, home to 1,300 animals, have begun herding its residents into hurricane shelters in readiness for the arrival of Milton.