Hurricane Milton: Florida Braces For Disaster

E​vacuations took on life-saving importance Tuesday as time ran out for Floridians to prepare for a potentially catastrophic hit from Hurricane Milton.

“I can’t stress enough that this is not an ‘if’ event. It’s a ‘when’ event, and we are into the final hours," Cathie Perkins, Pinellas County Director of Emergency Management, said in an evening news conference. "We’re going to get hit, and it’s going to be hard.”

Mandatory e​vacuation orders stretched across parts of more than a dozen counties, including all of Tampa Bay and at least one section of the state's Atlantic Coast. Voluntary evacuations were advised for many other areas, especially for those living in vulnerable homes or locations prone to flooding, or who need electricity for life-saving medical devices.

(​MORE: Hurricane Milton Tracker | Latest Forecast For Milton)

H​ere are our live updates as we tracked Milton Tuesday:

(​8:52 p.m. ET) Tampa Bay Area Bridges Will Close

M​ajor bridges expected to close by tomorrow afternoon include the Sunshine Skyway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, Gandy Causeway and the Courtney Campbell Causeway. All are multi-lane roads and vital evacuation routes.

"Residents should take potential bridge closures into account when planning evacuations as there may come a time when it is no longer safe or possible to evacuate using these bridges," the Florida Department of Transportation said in a social media update.

(​8:44 p.m. ET) Here’s One Reason Why Officials Urge You To Evacuate

Storm surge and flooding are the biggest killers in a hurricane.

More than 50 people drowned when Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida and moved across the state in 2022.

At least nine deaths in Pinellas County were blamed on drowning when Helene brought storm surge flooding two weeks ago.

I​n both cases, many of the deaths happened in areas under mandatory evacuation orders.

(​8:15 p.m. ET) Little Change In The Latest NHC Update

M​ilton's maximum sustained winds are 165 mph, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

T​he storm is now about 280 miles west-southwest of the Dry Tortugas and about 440 miles southwest of Tampa.

T​he NHC updated included this somber reminder: Milton will bring life-threatening storm surge and winds to portions of the Florida Gulf Coast.

(​7:48 p.m. ET) Dozens Of Waffle Houses Are Closed

M​ore than 30 Waffle House locations are closed on Florida's West Coast, from the Tampa Bay area south to around Fort Myers.

T​he "Waffle House Index" is often linked to predictions of how bad a storm's impacts might be.

(7:33 p.m. ET) A Common Question: I​s There A Pet Friendly Evacuation Shelter Near Me?

T​he answer is, maybe. Most public shelters in Florida do not accept pets. Service animals are welcome though.

S​ome counties do have specific pet-friendly shelters but which ones are open and where can vary from storm to storm. You should contact your local emergency management office to ask.

T​he state urges hotels to relax or suspend rules against pets when there are active hurricane evacuations.

(​MORE: How To Plan For Hurricane Season With Pets)

(6:47 p.m. ET) Sarasota County Closing Access To Barrier Islands

O​fficials in Sarasota County announced they are closing access to Casey Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key and Longboat Key at 7 p.m. Residents of the barrier islands can continue to leave after that time, but no one will be allowed back on until post-Milton search and rescue operations are complete, the county posted on social media.

U​niformed personnel will be posted at six intersections to ensure compliance.

"​When you leave the barrier islands, be sure to take everything that you and your family need for evacuation. Take enough supplies to last you and your family several days," county officials said.

(6:18 p.m. ET) Tampa Opens Parking Garages; EVs Must Park On Third Floor

Parking in any one of the city's seven multi-story garages is free until at least noon on Friday to help people protect their vehicles from flooding and other dangers.

Electric vehicles must park on the third level or higher.

(​MORE: This Is Why EVs Should Never Sit In A Flood)

(​6:04 p.m. ET) Winds Up To 110 MPH Possible In Tampa Bay Area

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Just about every hazard is as high as it can be across all of Central Florida from the Gulf Coast inland.

Winds up to 110 mph are possible in the Tampa Bay area.

Areas hit hard by Helene that are missing sand dunes and still have debris piles in yards are among the most vulnerable to storm surge.

But even before that, areas north and east of the storm will see flooding rainfall.

Milton’s track will continue to skip around a bit overnight. You get these huge lurches, sometimes they can go forward or backward. We may have another eyewall replacement tonight that could cause another wobble.

After that, we’ll see a slow weakening up until landfall. But the storm is still expected to be a powerful Category 3 or Category 4 hurricane when it comes ashore.

(​MORE: Tampa Bay Residents - 'We're Scared.')

(​5:27 p.m. ET) Last-Minute Evacuees Jam Alligator Alley

Long lines of traffic jammed the Alligator Alley portion of Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida as last-minute evacuees raced to get away from Milton’s potentially deadly impacts. The highway, also known as Everglades Parkway, runs across the southern part of the Florida peninsula from Naples in Collier County on the Gulf Coast to near Miami on the Atlantic Coast.

P​arts of Collier County and nearby Lee County are under mandatory evacuation orders.

(​MORE: Florida Freeways Jammed With Evacuees Ahead Of Milton)

(5:00 p.m. ET) Milton A Category 5 Hurricane - Again

Milton has strengthened back into a Category 5 hurricane, according to a just-released update from the National Hurricane Center.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds are 165 mph, after dropping to 150 mph earlier.

T​he storm is not expected to make landfall as a Category 5 hurricane.

C​at 5 is the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which ranks hurricane intensity based on wind speed.

(4:48 p.m. ET) Helene Debris Removal Will Continue Until It’s No Longer Safe For Crews

Gov. Ron DeSantis says efforts to remove debris from Hurricane Helene will continue around-the-clock until it’s no longer safe to do so. The debris poses a major threat as Milton’s winds and storm surge could send it flying or floating, creating more damage.

DeSantis said Florida Department of Transportation crews removed more than 1,300 truckloads of debris in the last 48 hours.

“We’ve made a huge dent in this,” the governor said in a news briefing Tuesday afternoon. “The more debris we can get picked up, the less damage that’s going to happen, whether that's floating into the Gulf of Mexico, whether it’s projectiles that go into other buildings.”

(MORE: Cantore: Milton And The Danger Of Helene Debris)

(4:26 p.m. ET) Walt Disney World Closing Because Of Milton

Walt Disney World announced that it will close all Florida theme parks and entertainment Wednesday afternoon and likely remain closed through Thursday. The park previously stated that most areas of the park would remain open.

(4:07 p.m. ET) W​hen Was The Last Category 5 Hurricane In The U.S.?

H​urricane Michael in 2018 was the most recent Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in Florida and the United States as a whole.

A​s of the 2 p.m. National Hurricane Center update, Milton was packing winds of 155 mph - just two miles per hour below the Cat 5 threshold on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

A​ storm that strong has never hit the Tampa Bay area, and Milton isn't expected to be a Cat 5 at landfall.

(​3:43 p.m. ET) Rumors Abound When It Comes To Disasters

T​he Federal Emergency Management Agency launched a page to debunk rumors surrounding Hurricane Helene, which dealt a heavy blow to many places in the path of Hurricane Milton. Much of the same information applies to this storm, too.

O​ne rumor, for example, alleges that FEMA is currently blockading people in Florida and refusing to let them evacuate. FEMA's response:

"This is false ... This is a harmful rumor that can put lives in danger ... If you are ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. Delaying your evacuation can put your life and the lives of others at risk."

(3:33 p.m. ET) S​t. Pete: Beware If You Are Near These Large Construction Sites

T​he Tampa Bay city of St. Petersburg is advising people to avoid four construction areas where large cranes are located.

"Wind gusts of 100+ mph could exceed the safe limits for tower cranes, posing a risk of malfunction. Residents & biz in these areas are advised to relocate or shelter in place," a social media update from the city said.

T​hree of the sites are downtown and one is in the Carillon area of the city. Their addresses are: 400 Central Ave., 275 1st Ave. South, 1000 1st Ave. North and 101 Main St. North.

All are operated by private developers, which the city has been in contact with.

"Due to the specialized nature of crane operations, lowering or securing a tower crane is scheduled weeks in advance and is not a feasible option within the timeframe of an approaching storm due to the rapid intensification and forecasted path," a news release said.

(​3:13 p.m. ET) Those Who Don't Evacuate And Then Need Help? 'They Are Out Of Luck'

Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza is reminding people that emergency services in the town stop responding to calls once winds hit tropical storm force. The same is true for many other communities across Florida.

"They are out of luck," Souza told The Weather Channel, referring to people who ignore mandatory evacuation orders and then have an emergency.

"You could be, for a period of 72 hours or longer, without anybody being able to get to you if you do need assistance."

S​anibel Island is in Lee County on Florida's Southwest Coast, where Hurricane Ian made landfall two years ago. The island was also damaged this year by Debby and Helene.

"So we need our island to be prepared, our residents to get off the island and evacuate so we can make sure that people are safe," Souza said.

(​MORE: Sanibel Island Evacuations Underway)

(​2:48 p.m. ET) Universal Orlando Announces Closures

A​nother major Orlando theme park is closing for Hurricane Milton.

U​niversal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will shut down at 2 p.m. Wednesday, unless weather forces an earlier closure. The attractions will remain closed on Thursday. Volcano Bay water park will close Wednesday and Thursday.

T​he resort's hotels will remain open.

(​2:29 p.m. ET) Florida Moves More Than 4,600 Prisoners As Milton Approaches

From weather.com senior news editor Dave Siff:

The Florida Department of Corrections moved thousands of prisoners from 28 facilities to more hardened locations ahead of Hurricane Milton.

“FDC has successfully relocated 4,636 inmates without compromising public safety and additional evacuations are underway,” the department said on its website Tuesday.

Inmates’ new locations aren’t posted until 24 hours after they’ve been moved, according to the FDC, adding that evacuation decisions “are made in the best interest of the public, staff and inmate safety.”

Visitation is suspended at all FDC facilities until Oct. 13.

(2:20 p.m. ET) Why Hurricane Milton’s Wobbles Matter

A storm like this one is too strong to move in a straight path. That means you’ll see Milton's track wobble. And while these changes may seem small on a map, they make a difference in terms of where landfall occurs and which specific locations will see the worst impacts.

The storm is also growing larger in size.

And while Milton could weaken some, Milton is so powerful that it won’t matter.

As weather.com meteorologist Jennifer Gray writes: “Milton is a dangerous storm any way you slice it.”

Y​ou can read her full write-up here.

(​2:04 p.m. ET) Protecting The Times Square Clock In Fort Myers Beach

Workers in Fort Myers Beach are taking down the town's landmark Time Square Clock. Storm surge from Hurricane Ian in 2022 ripped the clock off its base. Its repair and return a year after the storm became a symbol of hope and rebuilding for the community.

(​1:53 p.m. ET) Milton's Latest Track

T​he National Hurricane Center's 2 p.m. update has Milton packing maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, an increase from this morning after weakening overnight.

T​he storm is located about 125 miles northeast of Progreso, Mexico, and 520 miles southwest of Tampa.

(1:41 p.m. ET) Tens Of Thousands Of Power Line Workers Stand Ready

More than 37,000 utility workers are poised to help restore power after Milton, according to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The state has also deployed thousands of National Guard personnel, dozens of search and rescue aircraft and more than 300 ambulances.

"Heed all warnings from your local emergency management officials," DeSantis said in a morning update. "If your area is in the path of Hurricane Milton, now is the time to execute your plan and get to a safe location."

(1:05 p.m. ET) S​eaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Close For Milton

From SeaWorld's Facebook page: "After reviewing the latest route of Hurricane Milton and to ensure the safety of our ambassadors, guests and animals, SeaWorld Orlando will be closed on Wednesday, October 9th and Thursday, October 10th. Continue to check back for updates on park reopening on Friday, October 11."

B​usch Gardens Tampa Bay, located in the city of Tampa, is closed from today until at least Friday.

Walt Disney World parks and Universal Orlando haven't announced closures.

(​MORE: Hurricanes And Your Florida Theme Park Vacation)

(12:20 p.m. ET) Florida Airports Are Closing And Hundreds Of Flights Are Canceled Or Delayed

More than 640 flights are canceled into and out of Florida as Hurricane Milton is still hundreds of miles off of Florida’s west coast. More than 200 flights into and out of the state are delayed, according to FlightAware.com.

Several major Florida airports are ceasing operations ahead of the storm, including Tampa International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers and Orlando International Airport.

(11:19 a.m. ET) Tourists Flee Mexico As Milton Bears Down

Milton is Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula with rain and strong winds before resuming its track towards Florida. Hundreds of tourists and residents are evacuating from low-lying islands in the country.

Photos from the area show damage caused by the storm's winds.

(10:46 a.m. ET) Mandatory Evacuations Cover Parts Of Several Florida Counties

Evacuation are in place for parts of several Florida counties, including in Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas and Volusia.

Various other Florida counties have strong recommendations for evacuation as well as voluntary evacuations in place, such as:

• Low lying and flood-prone areas of Clay County

• Dixie County

• Mobile homes and RV parks and low-lying areas of Glades County

• Hardee County

• Miami-Dade County

• Okeechobee County

• Zones A and F in Putnam County

• Level A and nearby, as well as manufactured homes, mobile homes and boat houses in Sarasota County

• Low-lying areas and individuals with special needs in Sumter County

Residents are encouraged to visit their local emergency management website for the most updated information.

(10:02 a.m. ET) Gov. DeSantis: ‘Time Is Running Out’ For Evacuation

Gov. Ron DeSantis told Florida residents this morning that “time is running out” to evacuate from Hurricane Milton’s path.

"There's no guarantee what the weather's going to be like starting Wednesday morning," DeSantis said during a press conference at the state Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.

"You may have a window where it may be safe, but you may not," he explained. "So use today as your day to finalize and execute the plan that is going to protect you and your family."

(9:50 a.m. ET) FEMA Is Heading Into Florida

FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said that FEMA is sending staff and supplies help with Milton’s aftermath. She urged residents to heed guidelines set by local officials as the storm approaches.

“This is an extremely dangerous hurricane. I need people to listen to their local officials to get out of harm’s way… People don’t need to move far. They just need to move inland,” Criswell pleaded on Tuesday.

(9:37 a.m. ET) Milton Is One Of The Strongest Atlantic Hurricanes On Record

On Monday, Milton's winds hit a maximum of 180 mph. Only eight other hurricanes on record have had winds hit that threshold or higher. The storm’s pressure, which dropped to 897 millibars on Monday, is the 5th lowest on record.

Milton is carrying the potential for 10 to 15 feet of storm surge in parts of Florida’s western Gulf Coast, including the Tampa Bay area.

(​MORE: The Most Intense Hurricanes On Record In The Atlantic Basin)

(8:49 a.m. ET) Hurricane Warnings And Tropical Storm Warnings Cover Most Of Florida

Hurricane warnings now cover most of central Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, Fort Myers, Orlando and Daytona Beach. Hurricane conditions are expected in these locations, packing sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.

Tropical storm watches and warnings also cover parts of Florida, southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina, including Charleston.

(​8 a.m. ET) The 8 AM Advisory Is In

T​he National Hurricane Center says Milton is still a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph; minimum central pressure is at 929 mb after bottoming out at 897 mb last night.

A​lso, parts of Florida's Atlantic coast are now under hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings – you can see all the details on our Milton forecast page.

(​7:45 a.m. ET) How To Prepare For Power Outages

P​ower outages will likely begin tomorrow and will be widespread Thursday in Florida; Ready.gov has some suggestions for how you can start preparing to survive without electricity:

-​ Charge all electronics and make sure their battery life is at 100% when the power goes out.

-​ Have flashlights and extra batteries for every family member, and know where they're located before the lights go off.

-​ Assemble nonperishable food. Your freezer will keep perishable food cold for up to 48 hours after the outage begins, but you will want to keep the freezer and fridge closed as much as possible to keep the cold air in. Turn down the fridge's temperature setting to chill the items even more before the outage. Any food that reaches 40 degrees or warmer during or after the outage should be thrown out.

-​ Get your generator ready and place it away from the house. All generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills should only be used outside, at least 20 feet from the house. If used inside, carbon monoxide will poison you.

(​7:20 a.m. ET) Milton A Monster On Satellite

C​heck out this satellite image captured Monday that shows Category 5 Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico. You'll also notice plumes of smoke over the Plains as it blew into the region from wildfires burning in the West:

(​7 a.m. ET) Tampa Mayor: 'If You Choose To Stay ...'

T​ampa Mayor Jane Castor had strong words for those who may be planning to ignore evacuation orders along the west coast of Florida.

"If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you're gonna die," she told CNN in an interview Monday night.

(​MORE: Nightmare Scenario In Treasure Island, Florida)

I​n their Tuesday morning briefing, the National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office reiterated that Milton's current track "continues to be a worst-case scenario situation for the Tampa Bay region southward to Sarasota."

T​he hurricane is forecast to be a Category 3 at landfall with an expanding wind field. If you need to evacuate, here is some important information to consider.

(6:45 a.m. ET) 5 Of The Nation’s 10 Largest School Districts Are Closing For Milton

More than 40 of Florida’s 67 county school districts are closing for all or part of the rest of this week.

Among the larger districts canceling classes are Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange and Palm Beach.

(​MORE: Here's How Milton Looks From Space)

All five rank among the 10 largest school districts in the nation.

(​6:30 a.m. ET) Uber Offers Free Rides To Shelters

T​he ride-sharing app Uber announced a program to shuttle evacuees who don't have other means of transportation to nearby shelters. To get a free ride, follow the instructions in this X post by the Florida Division of Emergency Management:

For Monday's live updates page, go here.