US: Hurricane Milton is a Category 5. Florida orders evacuations and scrambles to clear Helene's deb

Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane Monday in the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay, leading to evacuation orders and long gas lines, and lending more urgency to the cleanup from Hurricane Helene, which swamped the same stretch of coastline less than two weeks ago.

A hurricane warning was issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan state, which expected to get sideswiped, and much of Florida’s west coast was under hurricane and storm surge watches. Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, which often floods during intense storms, was also under a hurricane watch.

[peterlongprong]

I'm a Katrina survivor - after 20 yrs, FEMA has barely gotten its act together, my suggestion to every US Citizen in a storm zone:
(1) DO NOT trust the Gov to save you - you are on your own ! (this is rule # 1)
(2) DO NOT trust your insurance Co, carry copies of your policy and photograph everything BEFORE leaving
(3) make copies of your ID's/medical cards and keep a copy in every suitcase or pack ~ you might lose everything you carry
(4) carry paper money - and keep a 3month (to full yr) supply of food and water ~the Gov '3-day supply suggestion' is a ludicrous joke
(5) keep several weeks of supplies in your vehicle at all times ~ preps at home are useless if you aren't there.
(6) keep your sanity, show kindness to others, help the community ~ again, DO NOT trust the state or Fed gov to save you.
(7) if you choose to hunker down, board up and be aware how high flood waters can reach - if you have a basement apt, LEAVE IT - 20ft walls of water are common. DO NOT pullout your phone to take videos when others are in danger = HELP THEM, and don't be stupid.
(8) one car accident can block an entire freeway - and artery escape routes - have a plan B, C and D.
(9) your life and others are more important that personal possessions and valuable ! keep a level head and recognize danger when you are in it.
(10) I can't stress this enough, the topmost lesson I learned during and years after is that you CANNOT TRUST police, State or Federal Gov to save or help you... they are NOT your friends, they only care about continuation of Gov (their hold on power) not your well being or existence.
Do what you can to aid yourself and others, a rescue party may never come if you don't help yourself. ~ sad, but true.

[Incredible]

It's category 5 hurricane, the worst hurricane. Start evacuating now since you still have time today. It will become dangerous situation starting tomorrow since going to be too many people evacuating at the same time. Now is the time. Fill up extra portable gas tanks, withdraw cash, get canned foods, water bottles, flash light, extra batteries and chargers, important documents, pets and drive or fly to neighboring states now. Praying for everyone's safety ❤🙏🏽.

[pauldavis]

I'm in Tampa, I got my beach chair set up, I'm going to sit on the beach when Milton arrives and welcome him to our great state. I figure maybe if he feels welcome he won't want to destroy everything.

[Hp.]

Praying for you all much love from uk ❤❤❤

[derrickthomas]

Why not shut some of the South bound lanes down and open them for northbound traffic?? Get these people out of Prayers lifted!

[dizzyfingers]

Why do they have the inbound lanes open to inbound traffic when everyone is supposed to be
Those lanes could be turned into outbound lanes and get people out faster!!
Also, why are the toll booths in operation?? Making people pay the tolls instead of just opening them and letting people get out??

I thought it was an emergency, but they don’t act like it’s an emergency. That’s why it’s so confusing to people.

[johnmcentegart]

It would be advisable to find some higher ground and get out of the immediate effected area.

[Storyteller_Digital]

Sending strength and support to all those affected by this devastating hurricane. Stay safe!

[cjreed]

Please ppl evacuate. Check on any old, infirmed, and or poor neighbors that can't get out on their own, please help them as well. Yall all get out and dont take any chances....that storm surge sounds unsurvivable.

My heart and prayers are with all of you.
Btw, dont leave your pets behind? If there is no way at all you can take your pets then do not leave them trapped by fencing, chain, being indoors so they have a partial chance at getting out on their own okay please.
God speed.🙏 ✌️💗🇺🇸🙏

[dannygreen]

OPEN UP BOTH FREEWAYS ONLY GOING ONE WAY . NORTH with police escort.. theres very few cars going south .

[sanlen]

Praying for all the people and animals in the path of this Hurricane, God Bless, Take all pets with you, A lot of hotels will allow pets and if they do not, they usually have vet clinics are people that will board your pets in towns you evacuate to, We have had to board our pets in the same town we evacuated to a hotel during a hurricane .

[DREDAY]

This Hurricane Will Probably Be very Devastating Everyone should Evacuate Don't take Any Chances

[Harryclark]

Divert funding from Ukraine and redirect to impacted cities and communities. NOW

[Justsmile-sf]

This is all happening because of what u did to Palestine 💔

[EvanParker-ut]

Wherre is americas HARRP????
Wheres the technology that can stop the weather or manipulate it or somehow lessen it

[kennethjones]

Like they said in hurricane Betsy get a black marker the ones who choose not to go write your social security number in your date of birth on the tape where they can identify your body please 🙏 leave this is not a game ✝️🛐😞

[Anonim]

Make American Native great again native people can sweming

[Mr_Highlightsgametimem]

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