Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified Monday morning, strengthening into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of around 150 mph as it took aim at a Florida Gulf Coast, which is still reeling from Helene’s record-breaking landfall just over a week ago. Millions are facing the prospect of evacuation as Milton gains steam along its path toward the Tampa Bay area, where it is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening.
Speaking at a press conference Monday alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state’s director of emergency management, Kevin Guthrie, urged those in the Tampa Bay area to evacuate.
“I beg you. I implore you,” Guthrie said. “Drowning deaths due to storm surge are 100% preventable if you leave.”
DeSantis said Monday that 51 counties in Florida are now under a state of emergency, and a pre-landfall declaration request has been made to FEMA for support in anticipation of the hurricane’s arrival.
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Milton rapidly strengthens to Category 4 storm Monday morning
Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a major Category 4 storm Monday morning, with sustained winds of around 150 mph, as it barreled its away toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. The region is still in recovery mode after Hurricane Helene slammed into the Big Bend of the state as a Category 4 storm just over a week ago. Milton is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening.