All eyes are on Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches. The forecast is always changing, but it's looking increasingly likely that the storm will hit somewhere near the Tampa Bay area.
11am NHC track is a hair south of the last one, now a few miles south of Tampa Bay over Anna Maria, Bradenton and Long Boat Key. Nice to see the south shift, but it’s way too early and way too close to call. Landfall around midnight Wed night-Thu AM. Stay vigilant!! @WFLApic.twitter.com/vdGAklHzee — Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) October 8, 2024
If it hits Tampa, it could be the worst storm in over 100 years there.
10/07/24 11am Major Hurricane Milton Update ⚠️Now a Category 5 Hurricane ⚠️If the storm stays on the current track, it will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in over 100 years. ⚠️Please evacuate if told to do so. ⚠️Complete all prep before tomorrow night. #flwxpic.twitter.com/Cq9tJsfr2A — NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) October 7, 2024
The National Hurricane Center says this is the last full day for people to get their homes ready or evacuate.
Update 1100 #MILTON FORECAST TO RETAIN MAJOR #HURRICANE STATUS AND EXPAND IN SIZE WHILE IT APPROACHES THE WEST COAST OF #FLORIDA... ...TODAY IS THE LAST FULL DAY FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR FAMILIES AND HOMES READY AND EVACUATE IF TOLD TO DO SO BY LOCAL OFFICIALS #FLpic.twitter.com/aewkYUOM8g — National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) October 8, 2024
The mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor, appeared on CNN, and her bleak message to people choosing not to evacuate is going viral:
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: “I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die.” pic.twitter.com/CP0VmK3TUC — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 8, 2024
When asked what she would say to people who aren't heeding evacuation orders, the mayor said:
"I can tell you right now, they may have done in others but there's never been one like this," she says. "Helene was a wake-up call."
CNN
"I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die."
CNN
She emphasized her point later in the interview, saying, "This is something that I have never seen in my life, and I can tell you that anyone born and raised in the Tampa Bay area has never seen anything like this before. People need to get out."
CNN
People in the quote tweets are pointing out how dire all of the warnings have been about the storm.
The warnings from every meteorologist and mayor have all been so dire re: Milton. Lord have mercy. https://t.co/1CGMk09cju — Molly J. (@molly_jasi) October 8, 2024
This person compared it to Hurricane Katrina, saying, "i feel like…the last time meteorologists and politicians and scientists had THIS type of visceral reaction…was Katrina."
i feel like…the last time meteorologists and politicians and scientists had THIS type of visceral reaction…was katrina https://t.co/ndFraeyJSl — allison (@allison_ross14) October 8, 2024
"I’m absolutely fine with this type of rhetoric because guess what…if she’s wrong, you are still alive," another person said.
I’m absolutely fine with this type of rhetoric because guess what…if she’s wrong, you are still alive. Tampa and St. Pete are about to be hit with nature’s reset button. Lives are all that matters. https://t.co/TScx7rV38w — R33D (@iReedifer) October 8, 2024
And a bunch of people are pointing out the various factors and financial constraints involved in evacuating, saying, "It's not a choice for a lot of people."