Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida's west coast late Wednesday, The Associated Press reported. Forecasters said that although it will likely fluctuate in intensity, Milton will remain "an extremely dangerous hurricane " through landfall. As of Tuesday morning, Milton had winds of 150 mph (240 kph) and was centered about 520 miles (835 kilometers) southwest of Tampa.
1. A sculpture of Poseidon stands in the ocean after the eye of Hurricane Milton passed off the coast of Progreso, Yucatan state, Mexico, Oct. 8, 2024.
2. This satellite image by NOAA shows the location of Hurricane Milton on Oct. 8, 2024. It is moving ENE at 9 mph in the Gulf of Mexico with the minimum sustained winds of about 150 mph.
3. Southwest Airlines employees cover the ticket counters with plastic wrap just before Tampa International Airport was closing due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida.
4. A message board at the Tampa International Airport shows all American Airlines departing flight canceled, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton.
5. Heavy traffic begins to back up on Interstate 275 South as residents evacuate St. Petersburg, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 7, 2024.
6. Scott Pepperman (L), and his son Cobi move a trailer while preparing to evacuate from their home ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton in New Port Richey, Florida, Oct. 8, 2024.
7. A military convoy is seen ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall in Sanford, Florida, Oct. 8, 2024.
8. A gas station runs out of fuel as residents evacuate before for Hurricane Milton's arrival in St. Petersburg, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.
9. Susana Ortiz fills out sand bags on the beach at the Davis Islands Yacht Basin as she prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida.
10. An LED signage truck with loudspeakers makes announcements informing residents of mandatory evacuations in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Florida.
11. Highway signage announces the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton and the evacuations zones, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Florida.
12. Debris from homes flooded in Hurricane Helene sits curbside as Hurricane Milton approaches, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Florida.
13. A store boards up but remains open in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in New Port Richey, Florida.
14. A U.S. Air Force airman fills sandbags with family members ahead of Hurricane Milton at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.
15. Employees move an African porcupine named Chompers to a pet carrier at Zoo Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in the middle of this week, Oct. 7, 2024 in Florida.
16. Shelves in a local grocery store have been cleared out of bottled water ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall in Kissimmee, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.
17. River Ridge High School staff members Ellie Papapanos, left, and Anne Donlon go over preparations as they ready the school for use as a shelter in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Oct. 7, 2024, in New Port Richey, Florida.
18. Residents board up a sea shell store ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall in the middle of this week in Treasure Island, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.