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Evacuating before Milton hits a matter of 'life and death' - Biden Florida faces 'matter of life and death' as Hurricane Milton closes in
(about 5 hours later)
President Joe Biden has warned people in Florida to evacuate as a "matter of life and death" ahead of category four Hurricane Milton's landfall in the state. Florida residents are rushing to finish emergency preparations - or just leave - as Hurricane Milton races toward landfall is the heavily-populated Tampa Bay.
Milton has weakened slightly from a category five, but is still packing ferocious winds of up to 145mph (233km/h) after brushing past the northern edge of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Milton is currently a category five storm, packing ferocious winds of up to 165mph (270km/h). It is expected to hit with full force on Wednesday night, less than two weeks after the state was struck by the devastating Hurricane Helene.
The storm is expected to slam into the heavily populated city of Tampa with full force on Wednesday night, less than two weeks after the state was hit by the devastating Hurricane Helene. President Joe Biden warned people in Florida on Tuesday to leave their homes as a "matter of life and death" while the state undertakes its largest evacuation effort in years.
Floridians have been told to prepare for the state's largest evacuation effort in years. "A category five, that is like a giant tornado coming at you," one resident of the Gulf Coast city of Bradenton told the BBC from the hotel that he has evacuated to in Kissimmee.
Follow live updates as Milton bears down on Florida
When will the hurricane hit? Everything we know so farWhen will the hurricane hit? Everything we know so far
Full coverage of Hurricane Milton
"I wouldn't want to be there," said Gerald Lemus. "This will be a life-changing storm no matter where it hits."
Mr Lemus, who has lived in Bradenton his entire life, said he has never evacuated for any previous storm. But he decided he has to for the safety of his eight-year-old daughter.
"I just looked at her and I couldn't traumatise her to something like this," he said on Tuesday night. "It's a gamble we weren't willing to make."
ML Ferguson has been struggling to rebuild her home in Anna Maria, Florida, after it was severely damaged last month by Helene, a powerful category four hurricane when it hit.
"This one is going to be way worse than Helene," she said on the phone while stalled in highway traffic out of the city.
"My car is totalled, we all were laid off of our job, and [my] belongings were ruined. After this storm hits, I will officially become homeless."
Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that Florida had prepared dozens of shelters outside of evacuation zones to help house residents left stranded in the wake of the "monster" storm.
Long queues at petrol stations formed in south Florida, as some stations began running out of fuel.
Chynna Perkins told the BBC she is remaining in Tampa, where she lives in a newly constructed home outside the mandatory evacuation zones.
"I don't think people really understand how much planning has to go into a decision like this," she said, adding that she has two large Great Danes.
"There's so much traffic and barely any gas available right now. People are running out of gas on the highway."
DeSantis said that petrol was being trucked to stations, and electric vehicle charging stations also were deployed along roadways to ease the evacuation.
Tampa resident Steve Crist, spoke to the BBC while boarding up the windows of his dentist office. "Everyone’s gone. I’ve never seen it so quiet," he said.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Biden said the storm could be one of Florida's worst in a century.Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Biden said the storm could be one of Florida's worst in a century.
"Evacuate now, now, now," he told Florida residents, vowing that the federal government would help the state "before, during and after" the hurricane hits. "Evacuate now, now, now," he told Florida residents.
Thousands of federal personnel are also being deployed, Biden added. The White House cancelled Biden's planned visit to Germany and Angola in order to oversee preparations for Milton and ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Governor Ron DeSantis said Florida had prepared dozens of shelters to help house residents left stranded in the storm.
"We have one of the sites that can do 10,000," he said in a news briefing. "Others will do multiple thousands. But these are designed to be a shelter of last resort."
He said on Monday that the storm looked like it was going to be a "monster".
In wake of the storm, the White House said Biden cancelled a planned visit to Germany and Angola in order to oversee preparations for Milton, in addition to ongoing recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene.
The government of the Bahamas has now also issued a tropical storm watch for parts of the island nation, including Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos and Bimini.
Watch: Meteorologist becomes emotional giving Hurricane Milton updateWatch: Meteorologist becomes emotional giving Hurricane Milton update
Less than two weeks ago Hurricane Helene - the deadliest mainland storm since Katrina in 2005 - pummelled the US south-east, killing at least 225 people. Hundreds more are missing. Less than two weeks ago Hurricane Helene - the deadliest mainland storm since Katrina in 2005 - pummelled the US south-east, killing at least 225. Hundreds more are missing.
At least 14 of those deaths were in Florida, where 51 of 67 counties are now under emergency warnings as Milton approaches.At least 14 of those deaths were in Florida, where 51 of 67 counties are now under emergency warnings as Milton approaches.
While the hurricane weakened on Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center warned that it could double in size before striking Florida on Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center has warned people to brace for strong winds that could potentially send debris still on the streets from Helene to destructively fly through the air.
"Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida," the update said. Rainfall totals could reach highs of 15in (38cm), and coastal areas could see storm surges of 10-15ft (3-4.5m).
In a mid-morning update on Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said that sustained winds had reached 150mph, down from 180mph the night before. Hurricanes are categorize based on wind speed. Category three and higher are considered major because of their potential for damage and loss of life, according to the National Weather Service.
Hurricanes are separated into five categories based on their wind speed.
Those reaching category three and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that life-threatening storm surges and damaging winds along portions of Florida's west coast were possible from late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Rainfall totals could reach localised highs of 15in (38cm), and coastal areas could see storm surges of 10-15ft (3-4.5m).
"Use today as your day to finalise and execute the plan that is going to protect you and your family," DeSantis told residents on Tuesday.
'I'm not staying for this one' - Florida residents evacuate'I'm not staying for this one' - Florida residents evacuate
Counties began issuing evacuation orders on Monday, with tolls suspended on roads in western and central Florida.Counties began issuing evacuation orders on Monday, with tolls suspended on roads in western and central Florida.
Long queues at petrol stations began forming in south Florida, with some reports of stations running out of fuel. School closures in several counties began on Tuesday. Airports in Tampa and Orlando announced they would be suspending flight operations until the storm passes.
Traffic congestion in some areas has increased by as much as 90% above average, DeSantis said.
School closures in several counties begun on Tuesday.
Keith Turi, a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), said on Tuesday: "I’m encouraged by the amount of evacuation that’s going on right now.
"This is actually a good sign."
Parts of Pinellas County, where at least a dozen people were killed by Helene, were placed under evacuation orders on Monday.Parts of Pinellas County, where at least a dozen people were killed by Helene, were placed under evacuation orders on Monday.
Airports in Tampa and Orlando announced they would be suspending flight operations from Tuesday because of the storm.
A town hall style event to be filmed with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Miami on Tuesday was postponed until next week.
“The health and safety of everyone involved in this event is the highest priority,” said the host network Univision.
Huge tailbacks as people try to flee Hurricane MiltonHuge tailbacks as people try to flee Hurricane Milton
Are you in Florida? Please share your experiencesAre you in Florida? Please share your experiences
How is climate change affecting hurricanes like Milton?How is climate change affecting hurricanes like Milton?
What made Hurricane Helene so damaging?What made Hurricane Helene so damaging?
Hurricanes: A look inside the deadly stormsHurricanes: A look inside the deadly storms
What is a storm surge and how serious is the threat from Milton?What is a storm surge and how serious is the threat from Milton?
Where and when Milton is expected to hitWhere and when Milton is expected to hit
The approach of the new hurricane comes as the US government warns that clean-up efforts could take years after Hurricane Helene.The approach of the new hurricane comes as the US government warns that clean-up efforts could take years after Hurricane Helene.
Over 12,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed in Helene-affected areas of Florida in less than two days, officials said.Over 12,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed in Helene-affected areas of Florida in less than two days, officials said.
Hundreds of roads in affected areas remain closed, hampering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities. Hundreds of roads remain closed, hampering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities.
Helene made landfall in late September as a category four hurricane.
As well as in Florida, deaths were recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia - and the worst-hit state, North Carolina.As well as in Florida, deaths were recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia - and the worst-hit state, North Carolina.
Biden has ordered another 500 soldiers to be deployed to North Carolina. The troops - who now number 1,500 in all - will work with thousands of government relief workers and National Guard.Biden has ordered another 500 soldiers to be deployed to North Carolina. The troops - who now number 1,500 in all - will work with thousands of government relief workers and National Guard.
Biden has so far approved nearly $140m (£107m) in federal assistance. He has so far approved nearly $140m (£107m) in federal assistance.
Thousands of cots are set up in Tropicana Field for hurricane evacueesThousands of cots are set up in Tropicana Field for hurricane evacuees
Get in touchGet in touch
Are you in Florida? Please share your experiences.Are you in Florida? Please share your experiences.
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