The US is on alert for the advance of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to reach the coast of Florida late Wednesday night. Scientists consider this to be one of the most destructive phenomena on record, even if it is forecast to weaken before reaching coastal areas.
It is located about 400 miles (650 km) southwest of the city of Tampa, Florida, with sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), the NHC said.
Where will Milton “hit”.
The National Hurricane Center in the US announced that the hurricane is moving further south than expected.
The current track points toward Sarasota, just south of Tampa Bay, according to the CNN. Although it is forecast to weaken before making landfall, it will grow in size – meaning its devastating effects will be felt over a wider area.
“It’s a matter of life and death”
In fact, the authorities warn of a mortal danger and call on citizens to evacuate the area.
The president Joe Biden warned Florida residents to evacuate the area in a “matter of life and death” ahead of Category 4 Hurricane Milton in the state.
The storm is expected to hit the densely populated Tampa Bay city with full force Wednesday night, less than two weeks after the state was hit by the devastating Hurricane Ellen.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Biden said the storm could be one of Florida’s worst in a century.
“Evacuate now, now, now” he told Florida residents, promising that the federal government would help the state “before, during and after” the hurricane hits.
The governor Ron DeSandis said Florida has prepared dozens of shelters to help house residents stranded by the storm.
“We have one of the venues that can host 10,000,” he told reporters. “Others will make many thousands. But these are designed to be a refuge of last resort.”
The appeal of the mayor of Tampa was also dramatic. “Get out as fast as you can. Don’t wait. If you stay in the evacuation areas you will die” he reported.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to leave the area with highways in Tampa flooded with cars forming miles of queues.
State officials say this may be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
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