TAMPA — Hurricane Milton has regained Category 5 intensity, compelling more than five million residents along Florida’s western coast to evacuate as the storm threatens to be the most severe in over a century.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Milton’s maximum sustained winds reached 165 miles per hour on Tuesday afternoon, following a temporary downgrade to Category 4 on Monday night. The hurricane’s formidable wind gusts, which exceeded 200 miles per hour on Monday, have sparked discussions about the potential need for a new Category 6 designation.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by more than 20 Florida counties issuing mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a stark warning: “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas… you’re gonna die.” The U.S. National Hurricane Center advised that there will likely not be enough time to evacuate safely by Wednesday, and Milton is expected to maintain hurricane strength as it crosses the Florida Peninsula, bringing life-threatening conditions.
Monday saw highways congested with evacuees attempting to leave the areas expected to be hit hardest. Further compounding the state’s challenges, U.S. President Joe Biden approved a declaration of emergency for Florida, which is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.