Hurricane Milton Threatens Florida's Gulf Coast, Forces Largest Evacuation in Seven Years

A powerful and rapidly intensifying Hurricane Milton is barreling towards Florida's Gulf Coast, prompting what may be the largest evacuation in seven years. The National Hurricane Center warns that Milton's top winds have reached 85 miles per hour, with forecasts predicting a potential Category 4 storm by October 9, packing 145-mph winds.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties, cautioning residents of potential major power outages and storm surges. Utilities are allocating resources for power restoration, and nearly 6,000 ambulances are on standby.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the storm's potential impact, and federal agencies are positioning life-saving resources. Mexico has issued a hurricane watch on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

The National Hurricane Center warns that Milton's rapid intensification, with winds strengthening by 35 mph in 24 hours or less, poses dangerous consequences for those in its path. Forecasters predict Milton will become a large storm at landfall, with devastating impacts spread across a significant area.

Residents along Florida's shoreline are advised to prepare for the worst, with the hurricane center stressing uncertainty surrounding the storm's exact landfall location.

The state emergency response team is preparing for the largest evacuation since 2017's Hurricane Irma. Residents are urged to finalize storm preparations and enact evacuation plans. FEMA has started planning and allocating resources to support Florida's needs.

Estimates suggest an economic impact of $50 billion to $75 billion. A shift of just 50 miles north could increase damages to $150 billion.

Forecasters are also tracking hurricanes Kirk and Leslie in the far Atlantic. Kirk is expected to make landfall in France as a post-tropical storm on October 9.

Milton would be the second major hurricane to hit the U.S. in two weeks, following Hurricane Helene, which devastated the South and caused an estimated $250 billion in damages.