Hurricane Milton grows larger as ‘extremely dangerous’ storm surges closer to Florida: Live updates

WorldEnvironment
10 Oct 2024 • 3:56 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton have received a last-ditch emergency alert to “GET OUT NOW” ahead of the storm making landfall on Wednesday night.

While Milton’s intensity continues to fluctuate, and again weakening to a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center predicts it will be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida”.

The storm continues to grow in size and winds are expected to pick up on Florida’s west coast this afternoon, the NHC warned.

In Pinellas County’s latest emergency alert, officials pleaded with residents to “GET OUT NOW. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET OUT BEFORE THE STORM.”

Federal and state officials have urged those in Milton’s path to evacuate to avoid “catastrophic” winds, up to 18in rainfall and up to 15ft of storm surge, before the major hurricane slams into Florida’s west-central coast.

“This is the 11th hour. If you’re in an evacuation zone, the time to get out is now,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chard Chronister told CNN on Wednesday.

Vice President Kamala Harris warned that even the toughest Floridians won’t weather the “historic” hurricane, she said on The Late Show on Tuesday night.

Key Points

  • Watch live: Tampa, Florida braces for ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton
  • Florida approaching its ‘11th hour’ as Milton races to coast
  • Tracking Hurricane Milton: Where is storm now?
  • Giant tornado rips through Florida heartland as residents evacuate
  • iPhone’s new satellite feature could save lives - here’s why

Video shows terrifying tornadoes spotted across Florida

20:55

Julia Musto

777 flight cancellations reported at Florida airports

20:50

Julia Musto

A whopping 777 flights were canceled Wednesday across the Southwest Florida Internationnal, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami airports.

Tracker FlightAware also shows 67 delays at Miami International Airport.

St. Pete Beach fire chief is concerned about structure collapses from Milton

20:45

Julia Musto

“My concern is that we just went through another storm about 13 days ago. These structures that have been hit by water and wind, they’re in a weakened state. I’m worried that this next storm may cause collapse,” St. Pete Beach Fire Chief Jim Kilpatrick told CNN on Wednesday.

The response capabilities for the fire department in St. Pete Beach will be very limited, he noted.

“Once we evacuate the island, once our resources have left the island, we are stuck in our emergency operation center. We will not be performing rescues until we get an all-clear to get back out on the island,” Kilpatrick said.

NWS map shows 50+ tornado warnings issued across state

20:40

Julia Musto

NWS Miami gives an update: Conditions will ‘continue to deteriorate'

20:38

Julia Musto

Sarasota County issues evacuation warnings

20:35

Julia Musto

ICYMI: DeSantis describes Florida’s history-making response ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall

20:29

James Liddell

Rain squalls sweep across Pinellas County

20:25

Julia Musto

Florida sees tens of tornado warnings as Milton begins blasting state

20:23

Julia Musto

MTG doubles down on weather modification conspiracy theory despite experts rubbishing ‘hurricane control’

20:20

Julia Musto

Marjorie Taylor Greene has doubled down on her debunked claim that the government can control the weather just as millions of Floridians brace for Hurricane Milton.

The Republican from Georgia claimed last week that “they” can control the weather after Hurricane Helene killed more than two dozen people in her state and more than 230 across the US. While she did not clarify who “they” was at the time, Joe Biden said the idea the federal government controlled the weather was “beyond ridiculous”.

“Yes they can control the weather,” she wrote on X last week. “It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”

Then, on Wednesday, Greene posted a follow-up to her initial claim to clarify: “Everyone keeps asking, ‘who is they?’”

“Well some of them are listed on NOAA, as well as most of the ways weather can be modified...If your home or business or property is damaged or a loved one is killed by their weather modifications shouldn’t you be eligible for compensation?” Greene wrote.

The Independent’s Katie Hawkinson has the latest: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-weather-control-hurricane-b2626699.html

Tropical-storm-force winds starting to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast

20:19

Julia Musto

Winds of tropical storm force from Hurricane Milton, with speeds of between 39-73mphm are beginning to lash Florida’s west coast, officials said Wednesday.

‘We urge you to take this storm seriously,’ Vice President Kamala Harris says in update

20:18

Julia Musto

Tornado damage captured in Fort Myers

20:15

Julia Musto

Harris hits at price gougers

20:10

Julia Musto

Orlando mayor says city is ‘as prepared as we can be'

20:10

Julia Musto

“We’re as prepared as we can be,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told Fox Weather on Wednesday afternoon.

Dyer asked residents to take Hurricane Milton seriously.

Orlando residents are not necessarily being asked to evacuate unless they are in flood-prone areas, he said.

Milton moving toward Tampa Bay with maximum sustained winds of 130mph

20:07

Julia Musto

Hillsborough County shelters are filling up

20:05

Julia Musto

Florida power outages leap up above 65K

20:04

Julia Musto

There were more than 65,000 customers without power in Florida on Wednesday afternoon, according to tracker PowerOutage.US.

Watch: Penguins moved to safety at Florida Aquarium as Hurricane Milton nears

20:00

James Liddell

The Florida Aquarium has moved its penguins to higher ground ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall on Wednesday evening.

“Several other animals were moved today, including a smack of moon jellies, six snakes, three lizards, 3 turtles, two alligators, 2 toads and a hermit crab,” it said in a statement.

Florida Highway Patrol stays stay off the highways ‘unless you are evacuating'

19:55

Julia Musto

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visits Lake City

19:49

Julia Musto

Criswell hits back at false claim over $750 FEMA Serious Needs Assistance

19:44

Julia Musto

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said Wednesday that misinformation was harming hurricane response efforts, with residents not registering for the help that they need or asking for FEMA assistance.

She said people feared if they didn’t pay back the $750 FEMA provides in Serious Needs Assistance, their homes would be taken.

“Simply untrue,” Criswell said.

That amount of money is what is immediately available to eligible survivors for food, water, and other basics - but they may qualify for more financial assistance to cover storm damage. People can apply for that assistance through the FEMA helpline, the FEMA app, at a disaster recovery center location, or at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Chilling disaster simulation predicted devastation Category 5 hurricane would bring to Tampa over a decade before Milton

19:30

James Liddell

A chilling disaster simulation predicted the devastation a Category 5 hurricane like Milton would unleash on Tampa over a decade ago.

Now, the effects of the worst-case-scenario hypothetical storm – dubbed Hurricane Phoenix – could become a reality for Floridians who are bracing for “life-threatening” Milton to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday night, with forecasters warning it could be the “worst storm in a century.”

Rhian Lubin has has the full details.

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How a chilling simulation predicted devastation from hurricane like Milton to Tampa

FEMA administrator says misinformation creates level of mistrust that is ‘un-American’

19:29

Julia Musto

“It’s intentional to create distrust and that level of distrust is, as the president said earlier today, un-American,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell: ‘FEMA is ready'

19:24

Julia Musto

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell assured mid-Wednesday afternoon that FEMA is “ready” for Hurricane Milton and response to the storm.

“We are built for this,” she said, speaking virtually during the White House press briefing. The administrator is still in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene and is traveling to Florida later in the day.

Thousands of FEMA members are on the ground in Florida for Helene. However, at President Joe Biden’s direction, Criswell said she sent an additional 1,200 search and rescue members, six incident management assistance teams, power assessment teams, and dozens of medical factility assessment personnel to the state. She assured that resources are not taking away from ongoing response efforts.

“Our agency is postured to respond to this storm and maintain our current response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene-impacted states,” Criswell said.

Flooding is already seen in Tampa Bay area

19:20

Julia Musto

Video shows storm surge beginning in Naples

19:15

Julia Musto

DeSantis reacts to dog abandoned in Tampa: It is ‘cruel'

19:11

Julia Musto

Milton grows in size off the coast of Florida

19:06

Julia Musto

The storm is moving about 150 miles southwest of Tampa on Wednesday afternoon.

Stunning satellite photo shows Milton from out of space

19:00

James Liddell

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Florida state authorities partner with Uber to provide free rides for evacuating residents

18:52

Mike Bedigan

Florida state authorities have partnered with Uber to privde free rides for residents struggling to evacuate.

People will be able to access the free rides until 5pm on Wednesday using the code “MiltonRelief1,” governor Ron DeSantis told reporters on Wednesday.

Milton is the fastest Atlantic storm to go from Tropical Storm to Category 5 ever

18:45

Mike Bedigan

Hurricane Milton intensified from a tropical storm into a Category 5 hurricane in just over 48 hours.

That is the fastest intensification from tropical storm to Category 5 observed in an Atlantic-forming hurricane, according to NASA.

Read more from Graig Graziosi:

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Milton is the fastest Atlantic storm to go from Tropical Storm to Category 5 EVER

Florida twice as likely to be hit by hurricanes like Helene thanks to climate crisis

18:35

Mike Bedigan

Catastrophic hurricanes like Helene are 2.5 times more likely to occur now, a new study has found, just as Florida braces for yet another “historic” storm Milton.

Increased ocean temperatures due to the man-made climate crisis are known to supercharge hurricanes.

But the new study found that hurricanes as intense as Helene, which were once expected to occur every 130 years, are now likely to happen every 53 years – about 2.5 times more frequently.

Read Stuti Mishra’s full write up below.

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Why Florida is now twice as likely to be hit by hurricanes like Helene

Moment Hurricane Hunters’ plane experiences terrifying turbulence flying through Hurricane Milton

18:29

James Liddell

Hurricane hunters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had a bumpy ride when they flew a plane into the massive Category 5 Hurricane Milton as it approached Florida’s western coast.

Video of the Tuesday flight showed NOAA researchers with the agency’s Commissioned Officers Corps holding onto the aircraft interior as the storm’s 155mph (249kph) winds buffetted the plane. Outside, only the wing of the plane was visible against the dark gray clouds of the storm.

The crew of the “Miss Piggy” was flying into the giant storm to collect data to improve forecasts and broaden their understanding of the storm.

Graig Graziosi has the story.

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Video shows hurricane plane experiencing massive turbulence inside Hurricane Milton

National Hurricane Center: ‘Now is the time to stay inside’

18:22

Mike Bedigan

A 1pm ET update on Milton from the National Hurricane Center read: “Tropical-storm-force winds are just offshore and now is the time to stay inside and away from windows.

“Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.”

The NHC said another update would be sent out at 2pm ET.

Tampa authorities urge evacuating residents not to leave pets behind

18:15

Mike Bedigan

Watch Live: Biden and Harris receive latest updates on Hurricane Milton

18:00

Mike Bedigan

Biden slams Trump on leading ‘onslaught’ of lies and disinformation about Hurricane

17:55

Mike Bedigan

Joe Biden has slammed Donald Trump for leading an “onslaught of lies” and promoting “disinformation” about recovery and aid ahead of the approaching Hurricane Milton.

“Over the last few weeks there has been a reckless, irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies that are disturbing people,” Biden said in a televised statement on Wednesday.

“It’s undermining confidence in the incredible rescue and recovery work that is being undertaken... it’s harmful for those who need help the most.”

He added: “There is simply no place for this to happen. For president Trump has led the onslaught of lies. Assertions have been made that property has been confiscated... that is simply not true... They’re saying money for this crisis is being diverted to migrants, what a ridiculous thing to say.”

Biden also mentioned Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and her bizarre claim that Democrats were “controlling the weather.” “It’s gotta stop,” he said. “In moments like this there are no red or blue states, there’s one United States of America.”

Nearly two-thirds of gas stations are empty in Tampa area as millions flee path of Hurricane Milton

17:45

Mike Bedigan

Florida residents described a “mad dash to get gas” as millions have evacuated across the state before Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall later today.

Many who have left the area over the last few days were hit with heavy congestion and other travel headaches.

Read more here:

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Nearly two-thirds of gas stations are empty in Tampa area ahead of Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Mitlon’s path tracked from Wednesday’s landfall through to the weekend

17:29

James Liddell

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Texas mayor suggests nuking Hurricane Milton: ‘It may save more than it hurts’

17:00

James Liddell

A Texas mayor suggested an unusual remedy to stop Hurricane Milton ahead of it making landfall: by nuking it.

Bobby Lindamood, the mayor of Colleyville, took to Facebook to share the bizarre idea with his network.

“For the amount of destruction the next hurricane is bringing, it’s time to throw a simi nu/ke bo//mb (minus the radiation) at this dude and see if we can stop the rotation. It may save more than it can hurt,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Just casting thoughts and ideas. This gonna be bad,” he wrote on Facebook.

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, that won’t work.

Hurricanes generate far more energy than even the biggest nuclear bombs, the NOAA said. In fact, a fully developed hurricane releases energy equal to a 10-megaton bomb every 20 minutes. So, even a nuclear explosion would barely make a dent in the storm’s power.

Worse, the radioactive fallout could be carried by the winds, spreading contamination over a huge area.

Lindamood told The Independent that his insights were simply an “expression of deep concern” for those in Milton’s path.

“After seeing the mass destruction caused by the Helene hurricane, my heart goes out to all the people that may be impacted by one of the largest hurricanes in history,” he said.

“My post was simply an expression of deep concern for Florida and surrounding states who will be impacted. My comments were meant to convey a desire to use all available resources to protect American citizens not a literal suggestion.”

Giant tornado rips through Hendry County as residents urged to ‘SEEK SHELTER NOW’

16:45

James Liddell

Watch: National Weather Service Tampa Bay gives safety tips for Hurricane Milton

16:30

James Liddell

Photos show tornado racing across busy I-75

16:20

James Liddell

‘We’re hurricane chasers!’ Florida resident reveals why he’s not evacuating – despite mandatory order

16:10

James Liddell

A Florida resident has revealed the reason he’s chosen not to evacuate, despite a mandatory order issued to his county.

Millions of Floridians have been issued evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton’s anticipated landfall on Wednesday evening on the state’s west-central coast. The storm will then move to the east coast over the Atlantic Ocean by Thursday afternoon.

Dave Carol of Vilano Beach, St Johns County, has decided to stay put – despite a mandatory evacuation order being issued to the county.

“We’re hurricane chasers!” Dave Carroll told Action News Jax.

“And being originally from Fort Lauderdale, we know. It’s just Asheville, they’re not prepped for that. This area is prepped for it, and so I think it’ll be, the main thing is the flooding.”

He added: “Our house has never flooded here and we’re not in a flood zone.”

Just in: Southern Florida to brace for ‘tornadic supercells,' NHC warns

16:07

James Liddell

DeSantis: ‘There will be fatalities’

16:04

James Liddell

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared that there “will be fatalities” after the monster Hurricane Milton slams into the state’s west coast on Wednesday evening.

“It is going to bring a lot of ferocity, a lot of hazards, damage. You still have time to make decisions to ensure your safety,” he said.

“Just know if you get 10ft of storm surge, you can’t just hunker down with that. Mother nature is going to win that fight.”

He later added: “Unfortunately there will be fatalities when you have storm surge that will be 10ft.”

The governor has now ended his press briefing.

170,000 spaces still available in hurricane shelters

15:27

James Liddell

The Florida governor declared that almost 170,000 spaces are still available in hurricane shelters across the state.

Admitting the shelters are “not the Four Seasons,” DeSantis said that only 31,000 individuals had registered to stay at the facilities. The total capacity of the state’s shelters is approximately 200,000, the governor said.

“There is space available in these shelters,” DeSantis said. “You may be able to get in your car and travel 10 miles to ride the storm out.”

Kevin Guthrie, the Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management confirmed that there is space for “well over 200,000 in the impact area… There is room”.

You can find a full list of shelters here.

‘Largest staging of linesmen and utility workers in American history,’ DeSantis says

15:19

James Liddell

Ron DeSantis said that Storm Milton will demand the largest deployment of linesmen and utility workers in America’s history, with mass power outages expected across parts of Florida.

More than 50,000 linesman have been brought in from as far away as California in preparation of Milton making landfall this evening on the west coast, the Florida governor said.

Florida prepares for largest National Guard search and rescue mission in state’s history

15:16

James Liddell

Ron DeSantis said that the Florida National Guard is getting set for its largest ever search and rescue operation in the state’s history.

Hundreds of state search and rescue personnel will be deployed from 26 teams – to begin rescue efforts immediately after the storm passes, the Florida governor said.

More than 6,000 Florida National Guard personnel are on standby with an additional 3,000 guardsmen coming from other states, he added.

Live: DeSatis warns Hurricane Milton will ‘pack major, major punch’

15:10

James Liddell

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has begun giving a press conference about Hurricane Milton on Wednesday morning, ahead of its prospect landfall on the state’s west coast later in the evening.

“While there is the hope it will weaken more before landfall, there is huge confidence that this hurricane will pack a major, major punch and cause a lot of damage,” DeSantis warned.

Disney World announces rare closure due to Hurricane Milton

15:01

James Liddell

Hurricane Milton remains a ferocious storm that could land a once-in-a-century direct hit on Tampa and St. Petersburg, engulfing the populous region with towering storm surges and turning debris from Helene’s devastation 12 days ago into projectiles.

While the storm had previously weakened, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Tuesday that Hurricane Milton was once again a Category 5 storm.

Mike Schneider has more.

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Disney World announces rare closure as tourist attractions ready for Hurricane Milton

‘Empty streets and people’s lives on the curb’: Floridians brace for Hurricane Milton

14:29

James Liddell

Pinellas County residents have been left pondering whether parts of Florida will ever be “able to recover” upon Hurricane Milton making landfall on Wednesday evening.

Streets have been left desolate with millions of Floridians evacuating across the state, with Milton expected to slam into the west-central coast tonight.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of the storm leaving an “indelible mark” on communities up and down the Sunshine State. Now, Gulfport locals have shared their anguish.

“The streets are empty, people are preparing for the next round, you just see people’s lives out at the curb, it’s kind of sad,” resident Tim Phillips told WTSP.

Another local, Michelle Unterberger, added: “Are they ever going to be able to recover? Is this ever going to be the same? I don’t know.”

Just in: ‘Complete all life-saving prep now,’ NHC urges

14:05

James Liddell

The National Hurricane Center has urged for final pre-hurricane preparations to be “rushed to completion” ahead of Milton making landfall on Florida’s west coast this evening.

“Now is the time to rush to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan,” the NHC said in its latest statement.

“Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.”

Health officials warn of ‘life-threatening’ infections linked to Hurricane Milton

13:59

James Liddell

Florida health officials have warned of the potential for “life-threatening” infections to be caused by rising flood waters caused by Hurricane Milton.

Florida residents have been urged to avoid heavily-flooded areas due to the risk of Vibrio infections.

Exposure to the bacteria (often through open wounds or ingestion), which lives in coastal waters, can cause the illness vibriosis. The Vibrio infection can cause watery diarrhea, vomiting, blistering skin lesions and discharge – if wounds become infected.

“The Florida Department of Health (Department) urges residents and visitors to avoid floodwaters and prevent exposure to Vibrio in anticipation of flooding and heavy rain caused by Hurricane Milton,” the Florida Department of Health said in a statement on Tuesday.

About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill, the Center for Disease and Control Prevention says on its website.

This iPhone feature could save your life in a hurricane

13:29

James Liddell

An iPhone satellite messaging function could help save lives during a hurricane.

The feature was added during a recent operating system update for millions of Apple users. It came just in time, Americans affected by Hurricane Helene said on social media.

Julia Musto has the full story.

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This iPhone feature could save your life in a hurricane

Just in: Tornadoes ‘likely’ across Florida with central counties most at risk

13:21

James Liddell

Kamala Harris says even the toughest Floridians can’t wait out historic hurricane

13:00

James Liddell

Vice President Kamala Harris issued a stark warning that even toughest Floridians won't withstand Hurricane Milton.

The Democratic presidential nominee appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night.

“The Hurricane that is about to hit Florida is extremely serious. And it is predicted to be historic in proportion, in terms of the damage it will cause. And I know a lot of tough Floridians that have waited out many hurricanes and may think they can do the same with this one,” Harris said.

“This one’s going to be different,” the vice president warned.

She continued: “I ask anyone who’s watching, if you’re in Florida in the predicted path, if you have a family member who might think they can wait it out, please get in touch with them and tell them it’s not going to be like the ones we’ve seen before. Please follow your local leader’s instructions. And if they’re telling you to evacuate, grab your stuff and get out.”

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Just in: Milton again weakens to Cat. 4 hurricane but winds to pick up on Florida’s west coast

12:53

James Liddell

‘11th hour’ for Florida residents as Hurricane Milton races to west coast

12:29

James Liddell

A county sheriff has warned that Florida is fast approaching its “11th hour” before Hurricane Milton slams into the west-central coast on Wednesday evening.

“This is the 11th hour. If you’re in an evacuation zone, the time to get out is now,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chard Chronister told CNN on Wednesday.

“We already saw some flooding out here early this morning. That’s only going to get worse. As this storm wobbles, we don’t know what kind of storm surge,” he said.

In a separate video posted by the sheriff’s department on X, Chronister added: “My message is simple: if you need to get someplace safe for whatever reason, the time to do so is now.”

Watch live: Tampa, Florida braces for ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton

12:00

James Liddell

Image from: Hurricane Milton grows larger as ‘extremely dangerous’ storm surges closer to Florida: Live updates

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