TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered an urgent update Wednesday morning as Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 155 mph, nears the state’s Gulf Coast.
The governor emphasized the storm’s severity and urged residents in at-risk areas to evacuate quickly. “We are bracing and are prepared to receive a major hit. Facing this with the seriousness it deserves, but also with the determination that we will get through this,” he said, especially warning residents of Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties.
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Evacuations are recommended for those in the storm’s path, particularly those on barrier islands where storm surge could reach up to 10 feet. “Mother Nature is going to win that fight,” DeSantis warned, urging evacuees to seek shelters within their own counties.
For those staying behind, DeSantis urged vigilance, especially regarding flying debris and potential tornadoes due to strong winds. “If you start to hear popping, if you start to hear trees snapping, you’ve got to treat that like a tornado, and you’ve got to hunker down,” he said.
DeSantis detailed statewide preparation efforts, with more than 51 counties under a state of emergency. Supplies, flood protection systems, and emergency teams have been dispatched across Florida. Other states are sending personnel to aid in search and rescue operations, and more than 50,000 utility workers are on standby to restore power once the storm passes.
With the storm expected to make landfall early Thursday, DeSantis reiterated the importance of evacuating immediately. He warned that there will be significant damage, and that law enforcement will crack down on looting or exploitation in the aftermath. “My message to you is, don’t even think of it. We are going to come down hard on you,” he said.
The National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory places Hurricane Milton about 250 miles southwest of Tampa, moving northeast with a projected landfall near Sarasota.
Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.
Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.