Hurricane Milton sees evacuation of 1 MILLION people as Florida officials warn 'stay & you die'

THOUSANDS of people are fleeing Florida as a monster 180mph hurricane barrels towards the state.

Hurricane Milton's near-record winds and expected storm surge are set to bring destruction to areas already reeling from Helene's devastation 12 days ago.

The Category 5 hurricane is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.

More than a million people have been ordered to evacuate from its path - with a further six million put under hurricane-watch warning.

The storm will be the worst to impact the Tampa area in more than 100 years if it stays on the current track, according to the National Weather Service.

Mayor Jane Castor warned the city's almost 400,000 residents to urgently evacuate.

She told 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.

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#Hurricanemilton #Florida #tampa

[emmsue]

*PLEASE* evacuate your pets as well. Decent folks are risking their lives to try and save animal souls.. God Bless all.

[m.a.c]

From a Katrina survivor: PLEASE LEAVE! 🙏 go to a shelter!

[BeverleyDorma]

I am living in Jamaica, when the Government say be prepare whether the hurricane comes or turns away, I am always prepared, hurricanes is no play, may you all be safe in Jesus name

[Ryanjoned]

Prayers for the family people and animals in this sad situation 🙏

[msjaffacake]

I pray people take their pets with them. Please please PLEASE don't leave them to die alone and frightened.

[crystalbright]

Very scary in my 46yrs I have never heard Leave or Die 😢Please Leave 😢

[tracynorris]

Where do a million people go to after evacuation??
Sending prayers for my friends and family, and everyone in Florida.
Hope and pray horses and pets are evacuated also. 🙏

[christopherflux]

I don’t understand why people move to live in Florida. It seems to be constantly excavating and surviving year after year.

[Crismodin]

Well, people can't say "they didn't warn us it would be this bad" when it hits. Pretty clear warning.

[tadashitadashi]

Hope things go OK, watching here in UK it's like watching a film.

[grandmasfavorites]

Please leave, don't risk your life or the life of others.

[eEnrico]

Bro we just got done with Helene, blessings and safety for all.

[shannonnesbitt]

I pray God's grace and mercy cover the Tampa Bay area and the residents of Florida 💜

[leonnorris]

I can’t believe some people refuse to evacuate I’m in Arizona and these hurricanes are freaking me out

[karinakrygowski]

Guys even if you don’t leave you won’t die cuz I didn’t leave and the worst part already passed me and I didn’t die they are trying to scare you by saying you will die if you don’t leave

[denesebramblette]

If you live in affected parts of Florida, apply to the closest FEMA location. You will get a debit card with significant money on it. Get it and spend it. That initial money to disaster areas is to keep the local economy going, so use it on locally owned companies if you can.

[lionofjudah]

Bless them. This must be awful to have to collect your important documents and things and get going. I feel for you all. Bless

[louisedussiaux]

Omg its that bad please stay safe from the UK ❤

[bonnyrose]

Im in the uk, nowhere near this and im scared, please for goodness sake, LEAVE and take your pets with you!

[marcelobalbinot]

Get down on your knees and 🙏 PRAY, PRAY, PRAY